Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

IPL technology utilizes specific wavelength ranges to target various chromophores in the skin. This enables effective treatment to improve the appearance of sun spots, rosacea, age spots, and skin texture. The treatment can also be used for hair removal, photo rejuvenation, as well as to alleviate dermatologic diseases like acne.

What is IPL?

Intense Pulsed Light (abbreviated IPL) describes the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light distributed over a range of wavelengths; from 400nm to 1200nm. The technology utilizes specific wavelength ranges to target various chromophores in the skin. This enables effective treatment of a broad spectrum of conditions, including vascular and pigmented lesions, skin photoaging treatments and hair removal.

How does IPL work?

Broad spectrum pulsed light is transmitted through a continuously cooled applicator, gently placed over the skin. Cut-off filters in the handpiece change the range of wavelengths, optimizing it for different applications and skin types. The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the relevant chromophores and damages them (blood chromophores when treating vascular lesions and melanin chromophores when treating pigmented lesions).  The body’s natural processes then clear the lesion debris, giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.

Clinical Evidence (Treatment of Rosacea)

Before Your IPL Treatment

• It is imperative that you avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
• Avoid applying self-tanner for 2 weeks prior to treatment.
• Avoid aspirin and Ibuprofen for one week prior to your treatment. Inform the doctor if you are taking blood thinners or regularly take aspiring or ibuprofen.
• Avoid alcohol for 2 days prior to treatment. 

Day Of Your IPL Treatment

• If possible, arrive without creams or make-up on the treatment area. Otherwise please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment in order to clean the skin.
• Allow 45-90 minutes for your appointment.
• Pre-treatment photos will be taken.
• Just prior to treatment, you will be given eye shields to wear to protect your eyes.

After Your IPL Treatment

• Your skin may appear pink immediately following treatment.
• The sessions are designed to provide no downtime however, occasionally you may find that your cheeks and under eye areas are slightly puffy after treatment. You may use cold compresses (5 minutes on and 10 minutes off) several times an hour to help ease both redness and swelling.
• Make-up may be applied to cover redness as needed.
• Avoid direct sunlight and use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of SPF30 or greater for 4-6 weeks after your treatment.

Maximizing Benefits Of Your Treatment

• Our Skin Care Specialist will review a skincare program for you to begin before your treatment to help maximize desired results. A quality, daily home skin care regimen will ensure that you maximize and maintain the benefits of your treatment.

ResurFX™

The Lumenis® ResurFX™ treatment enables us to offer you remarkably healthier, radiant and more youthful skin. ResurFX is optimally tailored to address even the early signs of aging with noticeable results for fine lines, skin texture and overall skin appearance.

What is Lumenis ResurFX™ Fractional Resurfacing?

The Lumenis ResurFX is the latest in non-ablative, fractional laser technology to improve skin discoloration, stretch marks, acne scars, wrinkles and more.  Non-ablative means it does not destroy or ablate the skin cells, while fractional means it is only affecting a fraction or percentage of the skin.  The benefit of the ResurFX is that it is able to get great results with minimal recovery time unlike the CO2 laser, which has several days or more of peeling, crusting and possible swelling after the procedure.  The optimum benefits of ResurFX are obtained with several treatments depending on the condition and desired results.

What Conditions Does The ResurFX™ Treat?

– Age spots or sun spots
– Fine lines and wrinkles
– Stretch marks or striae
– Hyperpigmentation or discoloration
– Uneven skin tone
– Scars from acne or surgery
– Lax or loose skin

How Does ResurFX™ Work?

The ResurFX laser by Lumenis®, one of the world’s leading makers of medical devices, is a skin resurfacing option that prioritizes patient comfort just as much as effectiveness. It is a non-ablative laser, which means it stimulates the skin to develop collagen without harming or ablating any skin. As collagen increases, the skin looks tighter, more even, and more youthful. ResurFX is also a fractional laser, which means the laser is delivered to the skin in tiny dots and to only a fraction of the skin.  The ResurFX requires only one pass over the skin to produce effective results, reducing treatment time.  Finally, since it is a non-ablative, fractional laser, the recovery time after the procedure is minimized.

Histologies taken immediately after treatment*

What Can I Expect During The ResurFX™ Procedure?

During this treatment, we will first thoroughly cleanse your face and apply a topical anesthetic. You may feel a heated, tingling sensation, but most patients find this treatment comfortable due to the non-ablative nature of this laser. Depending on the treatment area, it will take approximately 15 minutes to administer, with the total treatment time taking up to 45 minutes due to the time that we must allot for the numbing cream to take affect. Post procedure instructions will be provided.