Light Therapy
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An IPL machine resembles a laser, but where a laser only emits one type (wavelength) of light, IPL emits a range of wavelengths. The filter attached to the hand piece controls the wavelengths that are allowed through from the machine. These wavelengths can be adjusted to target specific features of the skin which one wishes to improve.
IPL is useful in the treatment of:
Dyschromia - This is the irregular brown pigmentation, which commonly affects the face, neck, décolletage or hands and is related to sun exposure. It may also be related to excessive hormonal activity.
Rosacea - this is a common condition which affects the skin and tends to lead to a reddening and thickening of the skin with large pores. It is believed to be related to infection in the skin with a microscopic pathogen (a mite). This mite is killed by the IPL and Rosacea tends to improve.
Wide spread telangiectasia - These are multiple small fine blood vessels that commonly occur on the face and neck.
Flushing Enlarged pores Poor skin texture Fine wrinkles - IPL is not a treatment of choice for fine lines but may engender some improvement in these whilst it is being used to treat the conditions above. IPL is usually done as a series of treatments, commonly 4-6. By doing this one aims to minimise the down time associated with each treatment so there is minimal disruption to your lifestyle.
IPL is particularly useful in the treatment of photo-aging - the aging of the skin resulting from excess sun exposure, commonly characterised by red and brown discolourations. You may be advised to commence a skin treatment program prior to IPL. The aim of this is to improve your skin and remove some of the pigmentation so that the IPL can be delivered in a more controlled way with minimal discomfort and downtime. Blood vessels which are high flow are prone to be resistant to IPL.
They may well disappear but can possibly recur. If so, you will be referred for treatment with a different form of laser (pulsed-dye laser). Unlike many lasers IPL can safely be used on the face, neck, décolletage, arms, hands and legs. This allows treatment of photo-aging in many parts of the body rather than being strictly limited to the face. The IPL has a cooling tip designed to protect the superficial layers of the skin and make the treatment more comfortable.
Application of a local anaesthetic prior to therapy may further reduce the discomfort. After treatment a mild burning sensation may persist for up to an hour. This can be eased by use of a cold-press or ice pack. If the superficial portion of the skin absorbs too much of the IPL energy, a blister may result. This occurs in less than 10% of treatments. It is usually quite superficial and scarring after this is rare. It can be treated like sunburn or any other blister.
Darker skin types can react to IPL treatment by forming areas of further darker pigmentation. This hyper-pigmentation is particularly common in Asian skins. Treatment programs for these skin types are adjusted to lower the energy and to cool the skin more to prevent the side-effects. Fortunately, hyper-pigmentation is usually temporary and responds to bleaching creams within a few months. It is important to avoid sun-exposure for three to four weeks after an IPL treatment.
Sun exposure at this stage can lead to the hyper-pigmentation mentioned above. It is also important to avoid tanning the skin prior to IPL treatment as this may make the superficial portion of the skin absorb too much of the IPL energy leading to blistering. Hypo-pigmentation (loss of skin colour) can also occur after IPL. However, it occurs much less frequently than after aggressive laser treatment. By applying IPL in a series of treatments one reduces the energy imparted at any individual session and reduces the risk of the complication.
Hypo-pigmentation can be permanent. Using a series of treatments also reduces the risk of scarring. However, scarring can still occur but fortunately this is uncommon. Expect some swelling after treatment although it is usually not severe and only quite temporary. Cold packs or hydrocortisone cream can help to reduce this. Bruising can occur after IPL if the light energy ruptures a small blood vessel.
The bruise will disappear in a week or so. Treat your skin after IPL as though it is quite fragile for the first few days. It should not be rubbed with a rough face cloth and make up should be applied very gently. However, makeup can be applied immediately after IPL as long as the skin is not broken.
For further information, please phone Esteem for your complimentary IPL assessment with our registered nurse where all you questions can be answered.