IPL PhotoFacial/Photorejuvenation

The LimeLight and Lumecca IPL are flash lamp devices that produce a wavelength of light which is absorbed by red blood cells and melanin improving surface imperfections, such as pigmentation and vascularity associated with aging and photodamage. There are many devices that use IPL technology, including Stellar IPL, Nordlys, and BBL, among many others.

Lumecca IPL delivers up to 3X more energy (high peak power) in the 500-600 nm range as compared to typical IPL systems to increase its efficacy for red and pigmented lesions. It uses strong sapphire cooling for increased patient comfort.

IPL treatments are ideal for any part of your face, neck, chest, and arms; with skin redness, telangiectasia (tiny veins) or brown spots. Light (low contrast) brown spots, which were previously difficult to resolve, respond very well to treatment.

Photorejuvenation treatments selectively treat the brown and/or red pigmented areas on the skin. It is the heating of the pigmented brown or red cells that causes the therapeutic effect.

When the pulse of light is delivered, patients will experience a pinching or stinging sensation. The intensity varies depending on the area of the body being treated. Pain management is provided as required. We have found the our newest IPL is considerably more comfortable than our previous device.

Treatment time depends on the area of the body being treated. For example the face may take 30 minutes, whereas the chest and neck may take up to an hour.

Two to four treatments are usually sufficient to see results. Additional treatments may be recommended, especially for excessively sun-damaged skin.

Immediately following treatment, brown spots generally start to darken and the skin may appear red. The treated area may be mildly swollen, accompanied by a burning sensation. This typically lasts a few hours and possibly a day or two, depending on the area being treated. Rarely, tiny blisters may occur in some areas. If this happens, Fucidin ointment is applied until the lesions heal. If the treatment pulses are not placed close enough, streaks of untreated skin may be left behind. These are simply mopped up with a second treatment. Make-up can be applied to cover the redness.

Usually within one to three weeks, the darkened spots tend to flake off and fade. Diffuse redness or telangiectasia generally decreases and your mottled complexion improves. The legs normally take much longer to heal than the face.

>New brown spots, telangiectasia, and diffuse redness may appear with new sun damage; however they can also be treated. Remember to always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 45 SPF when outdoors to minimize sun damage and the appearance of new spots and diffuse redness.

What are the potential side effects?

• Expected but not guaranteed results.
• Blisters.
• Scars.
• Skin colour changes including extended periods of redness, brown discoloration, and/or loss of pigment.
• Streaks of missed treatment areas.

The cost varies with the size of the area to be treated and the number of treatment sessions required.

One of the benefits of IPL Photofacials is the versatility of the technology. IPL can treat a variety of skin concerns simultaneously, as the broad spectrum of light can treat brown hyperpigmentation and diffuse redness simultaneously. This can be very beneficial in the right patients. In certain patients, however, this can be a disadvantage if the underlying skin type is darker in colour, as this might lead to adverse side effects.

The second benefit is the minimal preparation and downtime required for this procedure. Other than avoiding a tan prior to the procedure, the amount of preparation is typically minimal.

The area to be treated is cleansed and the filtered light is applied through a hand piece. Each pulse feels like the snap of an elastic band on the skin. A treatment may last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the areas being treated.

After a treatment the skin may be pink and/or slightly speckles and brown. Gradually the targeted redness or pigment will decrease. Skin tones will have improved harmony and a rejuvenated appearance.

• Expected but not guaranteed results.
• Blisters.
• Scars.
• Skin color changes including extended periods of redness, brown discoloration, and/or loss of pigment.
• Streaks of missed treatment areas.

• Recent Tanning or Sunburn: Those with a recent tan should wait until their skin has returned to its natural colour.
• Pregnancy: At our dermatology clinic in Edmonton, we advise pregnant patients to avoid photofacials because of a lack of research in this area.
• Darker Skin Type: Patients with a darker skin type (Fitzpatrick 5 or 6) are not good candidates because of a risk of abnormal pigmentation following treatment.
• Use of Photosensitizing Medications

It is best to avoid applying makeup for at least 24 hours following treatment. Once any redness or swelling has subsided, you can resume wearing gentle products, including mineral-based products.

Photofacials should not be performed over a tattoo as the intense light will be picked up by the tattoo ink, interfering with the effects of the procedure and may cause adverse effects.

Photofacials are not effective for all types of pigmentation and redness issues. In many cases, a picosecond laser will work much better for a pigemented lesion, and a V-beam pulsed dye laser will work much better for a red lesion. We can try to help you if IPL photorejuvenation is not able to resolve your problem.