What Is Intense Pulsed Light?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a new and increasingly popular skin rejuvenating technology. Different from laser treatments, intense pulsed light therapy involves the use of a broad spectrum of light with various wavelengths.
Pulsed infrared light therapy is a non-ablative and non-invasive treatment, designated to treat and improve the appearance of skin lesions and other problems such as:
Brown, age spots and other age marks
Broken capillaries, also known as “spider veins”
Rosacea
Wrinkles
Acne (mild to moderate forms)
How Does Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Work?
Intense pulsed light treatments involve the emission of strong pulses of polychromatic light that penetrate the skin and stimulate the cells found just below the surface. Since the IPL treatment stimulates those particular cells involved in elastin and collagen production, the result is an even looking, more elastic skin.
An intense pulsed light treatment makes sure it “attacks” the melanin responsible for brown, age spots, while repairing the broken capillaries that make up rosy, unaesthetic cheeks.
An IPL treatment normally takes 30 to 45 minutes. To get the desired results, you should follow an intense pulsed light treatment every 2-3 weeks. Usually, the number of necessary IPL treatments varies between 3 to 6.
Intense Pulsed Light Treatment Cautions
Intense pulsed light therapy is not usually recommended to darker skin people (Asian, African), as it can cause hyper-pigmentation. The ideal candidates are, therefore, fair skinned people.
What is more, you should also be aware of the fact that, following an IPL treatment, your skin may become reddish immediately after the procedure. Moreover, you may experience swelling and skin peeling during the days that follow the pulsed infrared light therapy.
Seldomly, pulsed light skin treatments may cause skin blistering, bruising and hair loss.
Skin Care After an Intense Pulsed Light Treatment
Following an intense pulsed light therapy, you should provide special care to the skin area that has been submitted to this rejuvenating procedure. As a result, the technician performing the IPL treatment may recommend a topical anaesthetic and cold gel for the affected skin area.
Furthermore, it is usually advised to avoid sun exposure during the following few days after treatment. It is also recommended that you avoid sun exposure before an IPL treatment.
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