March 10, 2008

IPL - Intense Pulsed Light  

IPL, Intense pulsed light, is a modern technique to treat various skin conditions such as sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles, persistent red complexion, acne scars, large pores and other blemishes. In the past, treatments including chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing have been used to improve the conditions listed, but IPL is the latest and most successful procedure that is non-damaging to the skin, unlike the other treatments. IPL is also called photorejuvenation.

IPL works through high intensity pulses of broadband light, delivered from the IPL hand piece. As IPL does not damage the surface of the skin, it holds a strong advantage above all other treatments. The deeper parts of the skin are treated with the intense light, leaving the superficial aspect of the skin untouched. IPL contains several different versions, each one focusing on different areas of the skin, such as vascular birthmarks, spider veins, melasma, age spots and hair.

With no damage being done to the skin, there is virtually no recovery time for people who undergo IPL. Each treatment takes about 30-45 minutes. In most cases, a large targeted area can be treated in one session. Patients also do not incur much pain with IPL, whereas laser or radiofrequency resurfacing require topical anesthetic. One disadvantage of IPL is that without much damage to the skin surface, it may be required to come in for multiple treatments, usually 4-6 times to see best results. Each treatment should be spaced 3 weeks apart. Although patients might need multiple treatments, IPL is ideal for those who want to carry on with their everyday social lives. Patients are be able to return to work without any noticeable signs of any procedure being done. Each session only takes about 20 minutes and the face will have improved texture, decreased redness and a youthful skin tone. There might be mild redness, but it usually subsides within a few hours.

The cost of IPL varies with every person, but on average a FotoFacial/IPL is around $350-$600 for each treatment, depending on the body part. Consulting with a fotofacial specialist.

DermaNetwork.org is a leading provider of photofacial information and resources. Find a local IPL professional today.

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