Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is one of my favorite treatments. Why? Because as an aging, sun-loving woman I am familiar with everything from sunspots to red skin and big pores - three conditions that IPL can help make disappear! IPL specifically targets pigments, the melanin in the brown sunspots and the hemoglobin in the redness of flushing and broken capillaries.
Sound too good to be true? Here is an example of the results we have received with this amazing technology:
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about IPL:
What areas can be treated?
We can treat any part of your body with sunspots, freckles and/or redness. The most popular areas for treatment are the face, chest, shoulders, arms and hands because they have suffered from the most sun exposure.
What does it feel like?
When the handpiece is placed on your skin, it will feel cool and comfortable. When the pulse of light is delivered, you may feel a mild, brief stinging sensation. Immediately following the treatment, the spots may start to darken. You may notice a slight reddening of the surrounding skin. This typically subsides within a couple of hours. Over the course of the next one to three weeks, darkened spots will fade and flake off.
Are IPL treatments safe?
An intense pulsed light (IPL) is applied in a series of gentle pulses over the treatment area. Without damaging the skin, the light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the abnormally dilated vessels or pigmentation. The heat causes damage to the vessel or lesion, and the body begins its natural healing process. In most cases, the lesion will darken before it flakes off or the body absorbs it. Treatment can be given as frequently as every three weeks.
How many IPL treatments will I need?
IPL treatments can be given as frequently as every three weeks. For optimal results, a series of six treatments are recommended. If one goes out in the sun without proper sunscreen protection, new sun damage will occur. Follow-up treatments may be desired once a year to maintain your fabulous results!
What can I expect during my treatment?
Treatments may vary from 15 to 35 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. First, the treated area is cleansed and a cool gel is applied. When the pulse of light is delivered, the sensation is similar to a snap of a rubber band. After treatment, the gel is removed, the skin cleansed, and a sunscreen is applied. Topical anesthesia can be used for maximum comfort. For sensitive skin, a cool compress is applied following treatment.
What improvements will I see?
Patients have a high degree of satisfaction with their results. Expect to see a gradual decrease in redness, broken capillaries, flushing, irregular pigmentation, pore size, and fine lines. Your body will continue to produce collagen several months after your last treatment. Your skin will improve with each treatment feeling smoother and you will have a more even skin tone, regain elasticity and gain a more youthful look.
What is the cost?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments are usually sold in packages of 3 to 6 treatments although one treatment can dramatically erase sun damage. Prices can range from $50 and upward depending on the area to be treated and the number of treatments.
Still curious about IPL? Check out the video we put together and get a in-depth look at what goes on during a procedure:
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We spend time and money trying to make the skin on our face look younger, but we often neglect the skin on our hands. Unfortunately, that's what tends to give away our age.
Like rings in a tree trunk - lines, creases, dark spots, and bulging veins on the back of your hands are the sneaky little tattletales that give away your age!
Dermatoligist Norma Narnins says that “hands are frequently exposed to sunlight and all it photoaging effects. While we would never consider exposing our face to sun without sun block , we often don’t remember to treat our hands the same way.”
In order to keep your hands looking at youthful as you feel, it is important to use a sunblock with with SPF15 or higher everyday, even if you think your hands will not be getting that much sun exposure. That means in the winter time too, ladies! Try and choose a moisturizer that contains SPF that way you are getting your daily sun protectant and your moisturizing all from one product.
Newbeauty.com recently shared a video where they interviewed Coral Gables, FL, dermatologist Flor Mayoral, MD, to find out how to get our hands back in tip-top shape with the use of treatments such as radio-frequency, injectables and topical products. Watch the video to see what she says.
We do all of the procedures mentioned in the above video and more. Depending on the condition of your hands there are several popular treatment options available.
At Silk Touch Med Spa, we individualize each treatment using a combination of approaches to achieve the most observable results.
Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and (IPL) intense pulsed light therapy can be used seperatley or in combination with each other to remove sun spots, sun damage, and brown pigment.
Dr. Brian Kerr can fill also fill in the hands by using either the patients own fat (fat transfers) or dermal fillers like Juvederm and Radiesse and Artefill.
You can be on your way to youthful hands again by contacting us for a FREE consultation. It’s that easy!
