Photo Facials: Not Just a Cosmetic Procedure
Today the
cosmetic industry is not only about vanity and pursuit
of perfection. It now offers many other procedures that
tout benefits including varicose vein treatments and the
shedding of excess weight. Today we know that early skin
care is the key to warning off the signs of aging and
precancerous areas on the face and body. There are a
few non-invasive procedures that can help reduce the
look of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation from skin
conditions like rosacea, plus remove brown spots from
ageing.
One of the more popular
cosmetic procedures for treating discolored and aging skin is an IPL
photofacial. It's a popular treatment that can help with many skin
discoloration disorders, but are also very popular with celebrities
for cosmetic reasons as well. In fact many A-listers get a
combination of laser skin tightening and IPL photofacial laser
treatments before going to a big show or event. In a recent article,
the Victoria Secret models told reporters that it's not uncommon for
them to do a head-to-toe photofacial prior to strutting down the
runway.
IPL photofacial light therapy is a treatment that is
non-invasive and effective and is used to treat acne scars,
pre-cancerous sun spots as well as sun-damaged skin. It also reduces
the look of wrinkles and fine lines from aging. It's commonly used
to treat areas including the face, neck, hands, arms, feet, legs,
chest, back and even the scalp.
During an IPL treatment, a
high-powered, hand-held, flashgun is used to deliver an intense,
visible, broad-spectrum pulse of light. Filters are commonly used to
filter out lower wavelengths, especially potentially damaging ultra
violet light. The light that is produced has a spectral range that
is attracted to pigment such as pigmentation, age spots, collagen,
broken capillaries and elastin. These pigments are heated up until
they are destroyed and reabsorbed by the body. IPL's are somewhat
similar to laser treatments, in that they both use light to heat and
destroy pigments. The main difference is that unlike lasers, IPL
uses a broad spectrum light that is filtered, allowing it to treat
several conditions.
Things to know about IPL Photofacials
The entire photo facial
procedure typically takes about 30-minutes and is done by a trained
technician in a medical spa or physician's office. The procedure
involves only minimal discomfort, with the majority of people
experiencing mild redness and swelling. Results are usually seen
gradually in the weeks following treatment. Multiple treatments are
necessary to achieve the best results. The price of treatments may
differ depending on the region and city, but generally will run you
around $450 per area.