IPL Photo Rejuvenation

IPL Skin Rejuvenation can accomplish many things. It can remove or greatly reduce the appearance of any brown or red marks on the skin such as freckles, sun-induced skin damage and aging, including superficial pigmentation (brown spots) and telangiectasias (broken blood vessels) and rosacea. Practically any area can be treated, including face, neck, chest, back, and hands.

The Photofacial process can eliminate a ruddy (red, blotchy patches) complexion giving your skin a smooth, unified color and appearance. It can also help boost collagen to create a tighter and smoother face.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy improves the appearance of:

• Sun damage (sun spots)
• Age spots and brown spots
• Freckles
• Rosacea and redness
• Dark circles under the eye
• Uneven skin tone
• Broken blood vessels (capillaries)
• Facial spider veins (telangiectasias)
• Vascular lesions like poikiloderma
• Persistent redness or flushing

How Does The Treatment Work?

All light based Skin Rejuvenation treatments work by converting light energy from the IPL to heat the treated area. This heat stimulates the formation of collagen and elastin which tighten the skin, lightens pigmentation, reduces broken blood vessels and ultimately – after a series of treatments – improves overall skin tone, texture, and appearance.

How Do I Know if I'm a Good Candidate for IPL Phototherapy?

At Retuva Eye + Face + Spa, we use the Stellar M22 IPL skin rejuvenation system by Lumenis Technologies. This FDA approved treatment utilizes photothermolysis to target the treatment area tissue with wavelengths of light that heat and destroy the problem area, without affecting or damaging surrounding tissue.

Photofacial treatments work best for patients with:

1. Lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin type I-III)
2. Skin pigmentation caused by aging, medication, or sun damage
3. Fine lines and wrinkles
4. Shallow acne scarring with large pores
5. Facial spider veins and broken capillaries
6. Rosacea
7. No tanning within the last 3-4 weeks

 

Sun damage and skin complexion results are noticeable a few days after the first session. Your skin will continue to gradually improve, with a significant improvement in clarity and complexion after 1-2 weeks.

Results are permanent. However, future sun exposure will make your skin susceptible to additional damage. If you take good care of your skin and protect it from the sun, the underlying issues are less likely to return.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that causes blushing or flushing and visible blood vessels in your face. It may also produce small, pus-filled bumps & cause your face to feel hot or flushed. These signs and symptoms may flare up for weeks to months and then go away for a while.

Many people with rosacea also experience dry, irritated, and swollen eyes and eyelids. This is known as ocular rosacea. In some people, the eye symptoms precede the skin symptoms. If your symptoms involve your eyes, your Retuva professional may refer you to an eye specialist (optometrist) at Family Focus Eyecare for evaluation.

What Can I Expect During a Laser Treatment for Rosacea?

Lasers work to reduce the appearance of redness by collapsing dilated blood vessels. They also treat areas of thickened skin by resurfacing the outer layers. Laser therapy is safe and effective, and can be used as first-line therapy in the early stages of rosacea.

IPL Photo-Thearapy treats multiple conditions using a combination process approach to treat each specific issue through IPL, Laser pulses:

• Targets visible blood vessels
• Whittles down excess tissue that can make your nose look bulbous
• Shrinks pores

Your Retuva professional will discuss options and generally recommend a skin care regimen to help prepare your skin; this regimen can last up to 6 weeks prior to your first photo-therapy session.

At your appointment, your Retuva professional will thoroughly cleanse your skin and give you protective eyewear. They will move the light guide slowly over the targeted area. Treatment time can be between 20 to 30 minutes, depending upon severity and symptoms.

Afterward, they will apply a layer of ointment and sunscreen.  You will be free to go home directly after your treatment.

The number of treatments required are based on skin severity and symptoms. Typically, it takes a series of 3–6 treatments, each scheduled 6 weeks apart. Results can be appreciated within a few days and can last as long as 3–5 years.

Photo-therapy for rosacea is considered a cosmetic procedure, which insurance does not cover.

About Acne

Acne is the most common skin disease. Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. Acne lesions usually occur on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Although acne is usually not a serious health threat, it can be a source of significant emotional distress. Severe acne can lead to permanent scarring.

Acne typically arises from the blockage of pores, resulting from a combination of sebum (oily, waxy substance naturally produced by the sebaceous glands located in the skin. It is essential for maintaining skin hydration),bacteria, and dead skin cells becoming trapped within a hair follicle. Factors such as excessive sebum production, the accumulation of dead skin cells, or the presence of bacteria can disrupt this natural process and contribute to the formation of clogged pores, which play a significant role in the development of acne.

Acne can be a frustrating and confidence-diminishing skin condition that affects individuals of all ages. At Retuva Medical Spa, we specialize in helping you combat acne and achieve a complexion that makes you feel proud and confident.

What Should I Expect During an IPL Acne Treatment?

During the Lumenis® IPL Acne treatment, an applicator emits short pulses of intense light onto your skin. This light penetrates through different layers of the skin, targeting acne bacteria and reducing inflammation or excessive sebum production that are characteristic of acne.

IPL technology utilizes specific wavelengths of light to address the bacteria present in the skin, as well as inflamed sebaceous glands that contribute to breakouts.

To ensure your utmost comfort, your physician will apply a cold coupling gel to the treatment area. The duration of the session typically lasts between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your specific concerns.

While undergoing the treatment, you may experience a warm sensation as the light is applied to the skin. However, the procedure is gentle and should not cause any discomfort.

Since the eradication of bacteria requires a series of treatments, the number of sessions needed will depend on the severity of your acne.

To achieve optimal results, it is typically recommended to undergo 4-6 sessions with a four-week interval between each treatment.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

Immediately after the treatment, you may notice some redness on the treated area, which can vary based on your personalized treatment settings. However, this redness usually subsides within a few hours. In most cases, you can apply makeup immediately after the session, and you can resume your daily activities on the same day.

Generally, it is recommended to avoid direct sun exposure for a few days following the treatment, and your physician will likely advise you to apply sunscreen to protect your skin.

Acne Scar Treatment

Untreated and persistent inflammatory acne lesions can result in permanent scarring of varying degrees. Laser resurfacing is a highly effective method for reducing and eliminating acne scars.

To learn more about our Acne Scar Treatment options, please click here.