| or Intense Pulsed Light photo skin rejuvenation is a | | | | wrong, so keep in mind, that these are possible, but not |
| process that works by converting light from the IPL | | | | probable side effect and complications to the IPL |
| device to the heat treated area. The heat will then | | | | procedure. |
| stimulate the formation of elastin and collagen that | | | | You may see darker patches of skin that appear a |
| tightens and lightens the skin, after a series of | | | | couple weeks after treatment, they may last |
| treatments determined by your doctor, will improve the | | | | anywhere from two weeks to a year. People with |
| overall look, tone and texture of your skin. | | | | darker skin types are at a greater risk for this condition |
| IPL can safely and effectively treat dark colored skin | | | | and it is treatable with a cream that is used to reduce |
| caused by the sun, age spots, liver spot, freckles, birth | | | | pigment. |
| marks or virtually any dark area of skin. It also a very | | | | Redness, swelling or mild bruising may occur and can |
| effective treatment for the red spots associated with | | | | last for up to four days after your IPL; if it goes |
| rosacea or the redness from the stretching of capillary | | | | beyond that you need to contact your doctor. This is |
| vessels. Many patients with severe acne scarring find | | | | more common in patients that are very fair or that |
| very good results from this procedure also. | | | | have a considerable amount of pink or red tones to |
| IPL is also used in the treatment of hair removal; light | | | | their skin. |
| from the IPL is absorbed by the melanin in the pigment | | | | You may develop white patches on the skin; this can |
| of the hair, which is then absorbed by the pigment and | | | | last from 2 weeks to one year, but has the risk to |
| converted to heat. The heat loosens up the hair and | | | | being permanent. This also you are at a higher risk of |
| the cells that are responsible for the new growth, | | | | developing with darker skin types. Blistering is rare, but |
| therefor stunting new hair growth; leaving you with a | | | | it can occur, generally within the first two hours of the |
| smooth hair free area. IPL can be used on armpit hair, | | | | procedure, if you do get a blister, ice it down and by all |
| beard, mustache area, arms and legs. | | | | means do not pick at it, it will scar. |
| The treatment itself is very quick, usually lasting | | | | The patient may be let down due to the fact that it |
| between 10-20 minutes a treatment. It is usually | | | | just may not be possible to get the results they were |
| recommended that you start over on a low strength | | | | hoping for, some skin issues although they respond |
| IPL for your first treatment to know what you can | | | | well to the initial treatment, return within a few months. |
| tolerate at a comfortable level. IPL is a desired sought | | | | There are no government regulations to guide who |
| out process ideal for patients with very busy lifestyles | | | | can own and operate an IPL machine, so before you |
| because of the way it works, by using light to target | | | | have the procedure done, make sure that it is done at |
| your pigment and the blood within your skin, depending | | | | adoctor’s office as opposed to a spa or |
| on which procedure you are having done, it spares the | | | | somewhere along those lines. Having it done by a |
| structure of the skin. Therefore there is usually less | | | | trained medical professional is the best way to avoid |
| down time. | | | | any complication following an IPL. |
| How is the IPL Procedure Like? | | | | Who Should and Should Not Consider IPL |
| When you go in to see your doctor, a nurse or | | | | IPL, is considered to be a great choice for those with |
| technician is going to go over everything about the | | | | very busy lives, as it does not take a very long time, it |
| procedure with you to help make sure that you | | | | is done in the doctor’s office, and can be done |
| understand exactly what you are about to undergo. | | | | in about 10-20 minutes and there is no recovery time, |
| As with any medical procedure you will be asked to | | | | so you are pretty much in and out. So if you have any |
| sign consent forms once all of this is done you will | | | | skin darkening issues, unwanted hair, red splotches, |
| begin. | | | | scarring from acne or other concerns, then it may be |
| The first thing that will be done are pictures will be | | | | time to find out if you are a candidate. |
| taken for you; these are for record only and have no | | | | The best possible candidate for this procedure are |
| use in the IPL. If you have any makeup on other than | | | | people with very white, un-tanned skin, being as the |
| mascara, or lipstick, you will need to wash it off, and | | | | less amount of sun your skin has been exposed to the |
| then your face will be cleansed. Your eyes will be | | | | more elastic it tends to be naturally. People with tanned |
| covered with goggles during the treatment so they are | | | | or very naturally dark skin tones sometimes will |
| not bothered by the IPL machine. A cool gel is then | | | | experience changes in the skins pigmentation that will |
| applied to your skin and a glass pyramid will be place | | | | be uneven to the eye. African Americans and people |
| over the gel. An intense flash of light is flashed through | | | | of Italian, Greek , Spanish and Middle Eastern decent |
| the prism to the area being treated. The first treatment | | | | should talk to their doctor about the side effects of the |
| will be mild as to not damage the skin and to see what | | | | procedure before doing hand. |
| your skin can tolerate in the future. | | | | If you have been on the medication such as Accutane |
| All you should feel during the IPL treatment is a sting or | | | | you should not have an IPL procedure for at least six |
| tingling maybe a slight burning of the lesions, but this will | | | | months after you stop taking this medication. If you are |
| go away after the treatment is done. A Cryo-chiller is | | | | pregnant, you should wait until after the baby is born to |
| used to blow cool air on the skin to ease any | | | | have the IPL treatment. |
| discomfort you will feel. When the treatment is over, | | | | If you have considered have an abrasive treatment |
| you will be instructed to wash the gel off with cool | | | | such as a laser treatment, you should speak to your |
| water and soap, and then a healing cream is applied to | | | | doctor first about having an IPL to see if it may be a |
| the skin, followed by a layer of sunscreen. You will be | | | | better choice for you and your needs. Although the IPL |
| instructed on what to expect for the next couple of | | | | may take more treatments, they are much less |
| days, how to care for your skin and what to do if any | | | | invasive and the risk of complications is much less with |
| problems occur. | | | | the IPL than that of a laser treatment. |
| Possible Complications of IPL | | | | The only true way to know what is right for you is for |
| Risks of side effects from the IPL are minimal as this | | | | you sit down and have a consultation with your doctor, |
| is a very safe procedure. As with all procedures done | | | | he will be able to advise you on what is best for you |
| there is always the chance that something can go | | | | situation. |