What's Intense Pulsed Light (IPL®) Photorejuvenation?

Photorejuvenation uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL®) to improve:

Sun Damaged Skin
Rosacea
Redness on face and neck
Flushing
Dilated Blood Vessels
Age Spots
Freckles
Benign Brown Pigment
Fine Wrinkling

How does IPL® acne rosacea light treatment work?

The wavelenghts of light are selectively absorbed by “targets”, melanin (brown discoloration) and hemoglobin (in blood vessels). The target heats up and is destroyed while surrounding skin is unaffected. This allows selective removal of brown and red discolorations and abnormal blood vessels.

IPL® acne rosacea light treatment treats small blood vessels that are abnormally reactive, improving redness, flushing and spider veins. Removal of spider veins on nose and cheeks improves appearance.

What are the results of IPL®?

Less brown and red discoloration, less dilated blood vessels and improvement in fine wrinkling. The procedure is safe enough that neck, chest, arms and backs of the hands may also be treated.

When will I see IPL® results?

You start to see improvement in 4 or 5 days on the face and in 3 weeks on the neck, chest, arms or hands.

Are your patients treated with IPL® satisfied?

People in Texas have typically had a fair amount of past sun damage. In Texas IPL® pulsed light photorejuvenation is a very popular treatment.

How many IPL® treatments for brown spots on skin, redness and spider vein removal will I need?

Typically a series of 2 to 3 sessions. Most patients show improvement starting with the first treatment.

How long does each IPL® treatment take?

30-60 minutes.

Does IPL® hurt?

The procedure feels similar to a rubber band pop, or a brief mild “grease pop”. Surface anesthetic applied before the procedure reduces discomfort.

How long do IPL® results last?

Much of the results are permanent if the skin is sun protected. New discolorations may develop over time especially if there is continued sun exposure. Additional treatments may be given if desired.

What will I look like after IPL® treatment?

There is little or no downtime. After treatment there is darkening of brown spots, which peel off in 4 to 5 days. Patients who have a moderate amount of redness, flushing or dilated blood vessels may experience several days of redness and/or occasional bruising. Rarely crusting or scabbing occurs.

The vast majority of patients resume their usual activities immediately after treatment.

What should I do to prepare for IPL® treatment?

Use broad spectrum sunscreen and avoid sun exposure for 3 weeks before treatment. Certain patients also use bleaching cream to reduce natural sun activated pigment in the skin that absorbs pulsed light. If too much light is absorbed by sun activated pigment treatment is less effective and there is a risk of a burn leading to crusting.

Certain oral or topical medications increase light sensitivity and may need to be temporarily discontinued after approval by the prescribing physician.