Laser Treatments
IPL/Photo Facial
- What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
- What areas of the body can be treated with IPL?
- How does the procedure work?
- What kind of results can I expect?
- Where is the procedure done and who does it?
- How do I know if I am a good candidate for IPL?
- Who should consider IPL treatment?
- What would keep me from being a good candidate for IPL?
- What should I expect when I come in for a consult?
- What should I expect on the day of my appointment?
- How much does IPL cost?
- What are some of the common side effects?
What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
IPL also called Photofacial will decrease brown spots, whether from the sun or age and decrease wrinkles to give you soft, bright, and even skin tone. IPL is a technology that unlike a standard laser is non-ablative (meaning it preserves the superficial outer skin layer called the epidermis) works by heating up the primary target, be it benign pigmented lesions such as solar lentigines from sun-damage, broken capillaries, etc; without damaging the surrounding tissue. This is done with a controlled pulse or pulses of broad spectrum of light that penetrate the skin to the desired depth, thus safely and effectively treating superficial skin lesions.
What areas of the body can be treated with IPL?
Most all body areas can effectively be treated except over suspicious skin lesions of infection, over gravid uterus, over tattoos, over the extremities of diabetic patient’s with peripheral neuropathy, over superficially prevalent retained surgical hardware, or over a pace maker or similar device.
How does the procedure work?
Controlled pulse or pulses of broad spectrum of light penetrate the skin to the desired depth safely and effectively target and treat superficial skin lesions. IPL therapy targets both red and brown benign skin lesions and discolorations and significantly reduces or eliminates these lesions resulting in a more youthful and healthy appearance of the treated area.
What kind of results can I expect?
Results vary with skin type and with the specific physiological make-up of the targeted skin imperfection. The treatment parameters can be finely tuned to provide the safest and most effective results possible.
Where is the procedure done and who does it?
At the Fountain of Youth Medical Spa, we proudly offer IPL treatments by appointment. The treatments are performed by certified and skilled registered nurses or staff physicians.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for IPL?
At the Fountain of Youth Medical Spa, we use a specialized tool called a chromotest to precisely determine your skin color classification and the amount of thermal heat necessary for effective treatment. IPL treatment is most successful for skin classifications of lighter skin types up to Fitzpatrick IV which will be determined by a skin chromotest during your consultation.
Who should consider IPL treatment?
Anyone who sincerely desires a more healthy and youthful appearance of their skin. Someone that has brown/aging spots or wrinkles.
What would keep me from being a good candidate for IPL?
If you are a Type I diabetic, are pregnant, or recently been exposed to the sun resulting in a sunburn or have used artificial tanning agents within the last several weeks. If within the last six months you have taken photosensitive medications. If you have suspicious skin lesions or infection in the area of treatment, if the treatment desired is over tattoos, over the extremities of diabetic patient’s with peripheral neuropathy, over superficially prevalent retained surgical hardware, or over a pace maker or similar device we can not do the procedure.
What should I expect when I come in for a consult?
Patients will be treated to a friendly, professional, and informative consultation with specific focus on their concerns. The recommended treatment or procedure will be explained and discussed in detail, and all of your questions will be answered.
What should I expect on the day of my appointment?
To be pampered and cared for with the utmost professionalism and hospitality. Prior to treatment, a topical anesthetic is used to minimize any discomfort that may result.
How much does IPL cost?
Please refer to our informative brochures for the cost of your requested procedure or call us.
What are some of the common side effects?
Any laser procedure can result in swelling, blistering, crusting, or flaking of the treated area, which may require one to three weeks to heal. Although rare, skin infection as well as hypopigmentation (lighter color) or hyperpigmentation (darker color) scarring can occur.
