What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
When you are looking for a non-invasive, non-surgical way to fight aging and the effects of time and the environment on your skin, there are many options for you. Here at the Plastic and Cosmetic Center of South Texas, we offer a number of non-surgical ways to improve the look and texture of your skin and help regain that youthful glow. One of these is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, or IPL.
IPL is sometimes called Photofacial or Photorejuvenation. This kind of light-based therapy is a safe and effective way to correct and repair many common skin concerns without having to worry about difficult post-treatment care or downtime. This procedure is done right in our office, takes only 30 to 90 minutes, and there is virtually no downtime afterward.
IPL is a light-based therapy. It’s different from other forms of laser therapy in that IPL uses pulses of light that can be concentrated directly on the areas and problems that need improvement or correction, without any damage to surrounding skin. That means little to no side effects — just clearer, better skin for you.
IPL can help reduce or correct many common skin issues. These include redness from rosacea, sun damage such as age spots, large or visible pores, blemish scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and even some pigmentation like birth marks and freckles.
IPL is not going to get you the dramatic results that more invasive or surgical techniques will, especially when it comes to aging. But it is an excellent option for those who aren’t ready to go the surgical route. What IPL will give you is significant, visible improvement (generally after three to five sessions total) in the skin concerns you are trying to address. And there’s the collagen bonus — the heat generated during IPL Therapy works to stimulate the upper layers of your skin and increase the production of natural collagen. More collagen means means healthier, firmer, and younger-looking skin for you.
The process of IPL Therapy is very simple and is easily performed by one of our trained medical professionals right in our office. When you come in for treatment, you will be given a pair of protective goggles to wear. This is a light-based therapy, so protecting the eyes is important. During the treatment, a cooling gel will be applied to your skin to lessen any possible discomfort. IPL is known to be relatively painless, but some people do feel some irritation, similar to the snapping of a rubber band. The cooling gel helps keep that sensation to a minimum. Your treatment will last 30-90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and also whether it is your first appointment or one of your later ones.
To learn more about IPL therapy, call our office today.
