Have you noticed lately more and more of those pesky flat brownish spots are popping up on your skin? Known as sun spots or liver spots, these skin discolorations, although not medically an issue, can be annoying from an aesthetic point of view.
There are many treatments for these spots that have been around for quite some time. Some are more effective than others: aloe, apple cider vinegar, black tea, green tea, licorice extract, milk, vitamin C, vitamin E, and a whole host of topical creams.
But, perhaps one of the most effective treatments professionals use to achieve youthful skin for their patients is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), a technology designed for a variety of purposes including photorejuvenation of the skin. Photorejuvenation involves any process whereby skin pigmentation, acne, sun damage, and broken blood vessels are lightened or removed.
The process uses a handheld flashgun that emits high powered broad spectrum light pulses that target chromophores (the color responsible portion of a molecule). The flashgun destroys these chromophores, and they reabsorb into the body.
How IPL Differs From Laser Treatment
Traditional laser treatment only targets one color (one single wavelength) at a time. So each condition, whether it’s sun spots, acne, or broken blood vessel appearance, has to be treated one by one. With IPL a broad spectrum is fitted with different kinds of filters to address one or more conditions at a time.
Other Considerations
IPL is non-invasive, but it can take a few visits before the process is one hundred percent complete. You may expect three to six sessions for a full round of IPL treatment. There is some pain involved that can be mitigated relatively well with a topical cream that’s applied in preparation for the procedure. While this is not a permanent procedure, it is long lasting, requiring maintenance visits only once or twice per year.
Contact us to learn more.
