IPL is a cosmetic treatment that uses pulse light pulses that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including include wrinkles and dark spots. Patients who are interested in getting an IPL treatment in San Diego can contact San Diego Skin Med Spa for a consultation. You can also learn more about our San Diego Skin™ team.
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What Is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. This type of light therapy uses multiple wavelengths to target skin conditions and flaws. This is done using a handheld device that can cover a larger area of the skin. The treatment can reduce scars, lighten dark skin patches, reduce spider veins, and more.
How Does IPL Work?
IPL uses light energy to target certain spots on the patient’s skin through concentrated wavelengths. This will then heat up the skin tissues, resulting in the removal of undesirable skin cells. A handheld device is pressed against the target area, where a pulse of light is then discharged in a concentrated burst.
These pulses of light target the melanin deep in your skin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for darker hair and skin color.
Am I a Good Candidate for IPL?
Ideal candidates for an IPL treatment are those who suffer from skin conditions like acne scars, birthmarks, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, melasma, scars, spider veins, stretch marks, sun-damaged skin, and wrinkles.
Patients who have unrealistic expectations are not good candidates for IPL. Patients currently taking Accutane or pregnant women are also not ideal candidates.
Your IPL Consultation
During a consultation for an IPL treatment, the patient will be asked several questions involving their overall health. Subjects can include any medication they are taking, if they are pregnant, and any other treatments that they have recently undergone.
Patients will also be asked what their goals are with regard to IPL and what they expect. If the patient is a safe candidate for IPL treatment, the steps of the procedure will be explained.
How to Prepare for an IPL Treatment Session
To experience the best results from IPL therapy, it’s best to start preparing weeks before your appointment.
Moisturize and protect your skin from sun exposure. Use a moisturizer with at least SPF 30, and stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Refrain from using retinoids and other skincare products that could increase skin sensitivity.
Avoid smoking four to six weeks before your IPL appointment. Smoking can narrow blood vessels, which makes light treatments less effective for your skin. Smoking also contributes to more wrinkles and skin discoloration. You may need to consider a lifestyle change to fully benefit from IPL therapy.
Refrain from taking anti-inflammatory medications. These prescriptions limit platelets in the blood, making your skin more prone to bruising and redness. Consult with your doctor for alternatives before undergoing IPL therapy.
Your IPL Session
An IPL treatment starts with the patient’s face getting cleaned and dried. The patient is given eye protection, and a cool gel is applied to the skin for both moisture and protection. Once the gel has been applied, the handheld device is held against the targeted areas. Pulses of light will then hit the surface of the skin.
With each pulse, patients will feel a slight pinching sensation. The whole treatment can last up to 30 minutes for each session and can involve multiple visits.
IPL Aftercare
Patients can immediately return to their regular activities following the IPL treatment. The affected areas will be reddish and sensitive in the hours immediately after, and this will continue to be the case for several days to follow.
Patients will be advised to avoid taking hot showers during the recovery period. This will allow the skin to heal and rejuvenate at its natural pace.
How Much Does IPL Cost?
The treatment cost for IPL will be determined by several factors. Price is impacted by the number of sessions required and the type of skin conditions that need treating.
Contact Us to Learn More
For more information on IPL treatments in San Diego, patients are encouraged to contact San Diego Skin Med Spa and arrange a consultation. They can ask questions regarding the procedure and how to best prepare for it.
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