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 Every
year, millions of patients visit the dermatologist office dissatisfied and
with skin problems including fine lines and wrinkles, persistent red complexion, sun spots, acne scars, large pores and other blemishes.
Available
treatments, including microdermabrasion,
chemical peels and
laser resurfacing have been used to improve these conditions.
IPL or Intense pulsed light is a new, non-ablative technique to treat the above described conditions and is also called
photo-rejuvenation.
How does Fotofacial work?
The hand piece delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light. This light is non-ablative meaning that is does not damage the surface of the skin. The intense light is delivered to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis) and leaves the superficial aspect of the skin (epidermis) untouched. The thermal effect of IPL
(Intense Pulse Light) also causes production of new collagen, leading to improvement in wrinkles.
Are there
different types?
There are different versions of IPL available on the market that target different structures in the skin. The PhotoDerm VL targets vascular lesions such as spider veins and vascular birthmarks. The PhotoDerm PL targets pigmented lesions such as melasma and age spots. The PhotoDerm HR and Epilight target hair.
What are IPL’s advantages?
As discussed above, IPL does not damage the skin surface, unlike dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Therefore, there is virtually no recovery time. Treatments take approximately
20-30 minutes. Patients can apply makeup before leaving the office and return to work the same day. There is also minimal pain with IPL, unlike laser or radiofrequency resurfacing which both require topical anesthetic. Also, with IPL, a larger area can be treated at one time than with laser treatment.
What are IPL’s disadvantages?
Given that there is little damage to the skin surface, several treatments may be required to see the desired effect. For best results, approximately 4-6 treatments, spaced 3 weeks apart, are needed. Side effects can include transient redness and increased or decreased pigment in the treated area. Minimizing sun exposure can reduce these side effects.
How much does IPL cost?
Prices usually vary according to the ipl treatment size. The average cost for
a FotoFacial/IPL is $350 - $600 each treatment, depending on the body part.
A consultation with a fotofacial specialist and the number of treatments needed will determine your ipl treatment cost.
Before and Afters
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