One of the most effective non-surgical treatments I offer at my Austin med spa is called an IPL photofacial. Patients are consistently impressed by the results they achieve from this form of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
The treatment, which takes less than an hour and requires no downtime, targets all different forms of discoloration. These include age and sun spots, rosacea, freckles, acne scars, uneven skin tone, and even spider veins. A minimum of 3 treatments is recommended for improvement, but you may start to see results in as early as 1.
As IPL photofacial grows in popularity, I hear more and more questions about it from my patients. Here are a few quick answers:
- How does it work? The terms “intense pulsed light” and “photofacial” both hint at the science behind the results. During a treatment, we use a handpiece to deliver a beam of intense light to the targeted area of your skin. This light passes harmlessly through the surface layers and is absorbed by darker pigments within the skin. The light damages the pigment, which breaks up and eventually fades away, resulting in clearer skin.
- What does a treatment feel like? Most patients describe the procedure as being mildly uncomfortable and not at all painful. With each pulse of light, patients say they experience a quick sting, like the sensation of a rubber band snap. We can also use a topical anesthetic to make your treatment even more comfortable.
- What can I expect afterward? This is one of the key pieces of information we want patients to know beforehand: Your dark spots may actually get darker after a treatment. This is totally normal and temporary and is a part of the natural process as your pigment breaks down. Some patients may get minor scabbing in the area of especially dark spots, and some have what feels like a sunburn, but most find these minor signs are easily covered with makeup and are a simple tradeoff for the clear skin that’s left behind.
- How much does it cost? Your cost depends entirely on how many areas you want to target, as well as how many treatments you schedule. A series of 3 treatments normally costs about $750, but for the month of May, we’re offering a special of 3 treatments for $600 plus a free at-home Lytera® Skin Brightening System (a $250 value).
Now we have a question for you: Are you ready to lighten up your dark spots with an IPL photofacial? Contact us soon to take advantage of our special offer.
