Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
At Spectrum Dermatology in Scottsdale, skin rejuvenation with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can help you have younger looking skin. These treatments, also called fotofacial or photofacial, are so gentle, you won't need to take time out for recovery. The improvements are so gradual, you’re the only one who needs to know what’s helping you look more radiant than before.
If you’re ready to enhance the health and appearance of your skin, visit Dr. Nancy Kim at Spectrum Dermatology. To find out more about the IPL photofacial, please call 480-948-8400.
What is Intense Pulsed Light?
IPL treatments use light to rejuvenate the skin without harming the surface of the skin. These treatments provide a non-invasive therapy that leads to healthier looking skin by erasing unwanted pigmentation, excessive redness, small broken blood vessels, and reducing pore size. The additional color in the skin (melanin in brown areas or blood cells in red areas) absorbs the light energy, which damages the structures and causes them to eventually be absorbed by the body. The IPL therapy can be used on any area of the body to erase the signs of sun damage.
What are the potential benefits of IPL treatments?
IPL treatment results in healthier appearing skin with a more even skin tone and texture. IPL can dramatically reduce unwanted pigmentation such as lentigines (brown spots), freckles, and poikiloderma of Civatte (red and brown blotches on the neck), and melasma. It also helps to reduce excessive redness on the skin as seen with rosacea, small blood vessels, and acne scarring. Very nice improvement in skin texture, tone, and pore size are possible. If redness is your only concern, we might suggest a Vbeam® laser treatment instead of IPL.
IPL Before & After Photos
How is an IPL treatment performed?
During the treatment, eye shields will be placed over the eyes to protect them from the bright light. A cold gel will be applied to the treatment area. The smooth, cold surface of the IPL lens will be placed on the gel covered skin and the pulses of light will then be applied. You will see a bright flash of light, even though the eyes are covered and protected, and feel a sting like a mild to moderate rubber band snap. The procedure is usually well tolerated, with numbing cream rarely needed. A machine called the Zimmer gently sprays cool air on the skin during treatment to also minimize any discomfort. The length of the procedure depends on the areas being treated. The time needed to treat the entire face is usually just 15 to 20 minutes.
How many treatments will be needed?
Most people require 3 to 5 treatments for optimal improvement. Treatments can be done as soon as 3 weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on the skin condition being treated. Some conditions and skin types respond more quickly to treatment than others.
How much downtime should be expected?
Downtime is dependent on the aggressiveness of the treatment. We recommend aggressive treatments for better and quicker results. Downtime varies with everyone, as some skin is more sensitive than others. A typical course of healing would involve some pinkness and mild swelling for 1 to 2 days. Brown pigment will be pulled to the surface of the skin, resulting in brown speckles resembling coffee grounds (crusting). This light crusting is not raised, and gently fades away in about 7 days on the face, and 14 days on the rest of the body. Make-up can be applied immediately after the procedure and most patients continue to work during their healing period.
How much does an IPL treatment cost?
Full face: $400
Face/neck/chest: $600 per treatment or $400 for 1st area and $100 each for neck and chest
Chest, arms, hands or legs: varies by area involved
If you’re ready to enhance the health and appearance of your skin, visit Dr. Nancy Kim at Spectrum Dermatology. To find out more about the IPL photofacial, please call 480-948-8400.
What is Intense Pulsed Light?
IPL treatments use light to rejuvenate the skin without harming the surface of the skin. These treatments provide a non-invasive therapy that leads to healthier looking skin by erasing unwanted pigmentation, excessive redness, small broken blood vessels, and reducing pore size. The additional color in the skin (melanin in brown areas or blood cells in red areas) absorbs the light energy, which damages the structures and causes them to eventually be absorbed by the body. The IPL therapy can be used on any area of the body to erase the signs of sun damage.
What are the potential benefits of IPL treatments?
IPL treatment results in healthier appearing skin with a more even skin tone and texture. IPL can dramatically reduce unwanted pigmentation such as lentigines (brown spots), freckles, and poikiloderma of Civatte (red and brown blotches on the neck), and melasma. It also helps to reduce excessive redness on the skin as seen with rosacea, small blood vessels, and acne scarring. Very nice improvement in skin texture, tone, and pore size are possible. If redness is your only concern, we might suggest a Vbeam® laser treatment instead of IPL.
IPL Before & After Photos
How is an IPL treatment performed?
During the treatment, eye shields will be placed over the eyes to protect them from the bright light. A cold gel will be applied to the treatment area. The smooth, cold surface of the IPL lens will be placed on the gel covered skin and the pulses of light will then be applied. You will see a bright flash of light, even though the eyes are covered and protected, and feel a sting like a mild to moderate rubber band snap. The procedure is usually well tolerated, with numbing cream rarely needed. A machine called the Zimmer gently sprays cool air on the skin during treatment to also minimize any discomfort. The length of the procedure depends on the areas being treated. The time needed to treat the entire face is usually just 15 to 20 minutes.
How many treatments will be needed?
Most people require 3 to 5 treatments for optimal improvement. Treatments can be done as soon as 3 weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on the skin condition being treated. Some conditions and skin types respond more quickly to treatment than others.
How much downtime should be expected?
Downtime is dependent on the aggressiveness of the treatment. We recommend aggressive treatments for better and quicker results. Downtime varies with everyone, as some skin is more sensitive than others. A typical course of healing would involve some pinkness and mild swelling for 1 to 2 days. Brown pigment will be pulled to the surface of the skin, resulting in brown speckles resembling coffee grounds (crusting). This light crusting is not raised, and gently fades away in about 7 days on the face, and 14 days on the rest of the body. Make-up can be applied immediately after the procedure and most patients continue to work during their healing period.
How much does an IPL treatment cost?
Full face: $400
Face/neck/chest: $600 per treatment or $400 for 1st area and $100 each for neck and chest
Chest, arms, hands or legs: varies by area involved
