IPL Photofacial Overview
If you have an active lifestyle that includes a lot of time outdoors in the San Diego sun, an IPL photofacial, also known as a lunchtime laser procedure, might be the ideal skin rejuvenating treatment for you.
A minimally invasive procedure that entails little to no downtime, IPL, or intense pulsed light, uses high-intensity pulses of light to penetrate the skin and trigger your natural healing process, resulting in smoother, healthier skin.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology now offers easy online booking to make scheduling quick and easy for our patients!
Length:
Each IPL Facial session lasts about 10-15 minutes each, and patients usually undergo 2-3 sessions every 1-2 months for maximum effectiveness.
Anesthesia:
No anesthesia is used, but a cooling gel and cold air is used to help minimize pain. Patients experience minimal pain and compare it to a mild rubber band snap.
In/Outpatient:
IPL Facials are performed only on an outpatient basis.
Side Effects:
Minimal side effects are associated with IPL Facial in San Diego, but a couple of common ones include mild swelling, soreness, tenderness, redness, or irritation. Despite these side effects, they are only temporary.
Risks:
There are possible complications that are associated with undergoing any type of laser skin procedure. IPL is not recommended for patients who have recently undergone a tan from the sun, because the laser will not be able to differentiate between the tanned skin color and the underlying darker pigmentation of deeper layers of the skin. Complications that may arise from this include blistering and burning.
Recovery From an IPL Photofacial Treatment:
There is little to no recovery time associated with IPL Facial. Patients can expect to go back to whatever they were doing that day, but it is recommended that they stay out of the sun. due to how sensitive the skin may be right after treatment.
The Cosmetic Laser Dermatology Difference
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, located in San Diego, CA, our board-certified dermatologists and physician assistant are proud to offer a comprehensive variety of 50+ laser treatments, including our most popular IPL photofacial devices Lumenis Stellar M22 and Lumenis One, to suit our patients’ unique skincare needs.
Not only did Dr. Mitchel Goldman help develop the first intense pulsed light device for treating common skin issues, each of our six dermatologists have been involved in numerous research studies involving IPL, giving our team the most experience performing IPL treatments than any other practice in the country. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov has more information on IPL photofacial treatments.
Common Conditions and Treatment Areas
IPL photofacials using Lumenis Stellar M22 or Lumenis One, are not solely for full-face photo rejuvenation; they’re excellent for improving the appearance of other parts of the body, as well, including the hands, arms, neck, and chest.
IPL is effective for a wide range of skin conditions, including:
- Sunspots, age spots, and brown spots
- Spider veins
- Freckles
- Rosacea
- Melasma
- Birthmarks and port wine stains
- Hyperpigmentation including melasma
- Blood vessels
- Rough skin texture
- Seborrheic keratosis
Benefits of IPL:
- Removes or reduces broken facial capillaries
- Fades fine lines and wrinkles
- Minimizes redness
- Smooths rough skin
- Erases skin irregularities
- Improves skin discoloration
- Shrinks pores
How much does IPL photofacial treatment cost in San Diego?
Because each patient has a unique treatment plan, cost varies from patient to patient. Visit our Promotions page to learn about the latest deals on our services.
Schedule An IPL Photofacial at Our Medical Spa Today
Our board-certified dermatologists are currently accepting new patients and will be happy to meet with you to discuss if IPL photofacial is the right skin rejuvenating treatment for you. Contact our medical spa to schedule your consultation or to book your IPL treatment session.
What to Expect
A minimally invasive IPL photofacial uses a handheld device to shoot pulses of intense, broad-spectrum light to the treatment area.
During a single 15-minute session at our San Diego office, our skilled dermatologists will target areas of noticeable sun damage or other skin concerns. The treatment is fully customizable for different applications, skin types, and conditions.
An IPL photofacial is remarkable in its efficiency. Your skin and subdermal tissue absorb the gentle yet penetrating light. If you’re having treatment for a vascular lesion, the light is absorbed by the blood. If you’re being treated for a pigmented lesion, the melanin in the skin absorbs the light and is then naturally eliminated by the body.
Side Effects
Most patients require zero downtime. Some patients may experience minimal and temporary side effects, such as swelling, redness, tenderness, and discomfort for 24-48 hours. Dark spots may crust up with a coffee grounds appearance before exfoliating from the skin’s surface.
Recovery
The effects of IPL are typically noticeable within a few days and they can remain for years with professional skincare and regular maintenance. For optimal results, we suggest 2-3 treatments spaced 4-8 weeks apart at our San Diego office, followed by 1-2 yearly sessions for maintenance and upkeep.
Now you can schedule your IPL sessions quickly and easily using our online booking form.
Read our pre/post-treatment guidelines for intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
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FAQs
Q: What is IPL?
Q: Does the treatment hurt?
Q: How long does each session take?
Q: How many sessions will I need?
Q: What can I expect post-treatment?
Q: How long will my results last?
Q: Is an IPL photofacial effective for all skin types?
Q: Is IPL effective even when you have a tan?
Q: What side effects are there?
Q: How much does IPL photofacial treatment cost?
Q: Will an IPL treatment increase photosensitivity?
Q: Is IPL the best treatment for uneven skin tone?
Q: Does IPL always work for freckles?
Q: What is the difference between IPL and laser resurfacing?
Other Options
Clear + Brilliant is a great alternative to IPL for pigmented lesions. It is considered a gentler version of a traditional fractional resurfacing treatment. Clear + Brilliant noticeably improves hyperpigmentation, brown spots, sun damage, and large pores without damaging the skin.
A Pulse Dye Laser (V-Beam, Cynergy) is an alternative to treating blood vessels or excessive redness of the skin.
Although an IPL photofacial treatment is an excellent standalone treatment for a variety of skin conditions, it can be combined with other procedures for even more enhanced results. Along with simple proper skin care, these can include chemical peels, various types of non-invasive lasers treatments, and injectables. To learn which expert cosmetic treatments will work best for you, contact Cosmetic Laser Dermatology today.
Promotions
For more information about the monthly specials offered at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, visit our Promotions page.