Over 85 million Americans have some sort of skin disease. While some are more serious and require the care of a dermatologist, others are just benign annoyances. However, they can be enough of an annoyance that you feel self-conscious about your skin and want to do something about it.

For instance, for those with rosacea or hyperpigmentation, you might not be too bothered by the symptoms, besides the fact that your skin tone is uneven. In that case, an IPL photofacial might be good for you!

If you’re interested in getting an IPL photofacial, then you might have some questions. We’re here to answer them, so read on! Here’s a complete IPL FAQs.

What Is an IPL Photofacial?

“IPL” stands for “Intense Pulsed Light.” An IPL photofacial is a safe procedure, as it’s non-invasive. Because it uses wavelengths of light for treatment, this eliminates the need for things like needles and scalpels.

IPL photofacials are considered a type of skin rejuvenation therapy. This is because it can help restore the youthfulness of your skin, as well as balance out any skin problems you might have.

How Does an IPL Photofacial Work?

IPL photofacials utilize high-energy light waves. However, it is not a laser light treatment.

These light waves stimulate the production of collagen, which is a protein that’s good for the appearance of your skin. That’s because they fill in your wrinkles, which then plump up your skin and make it look radiant.

What Can an IPL Photofacial Do?

Now that you know how an IPL photofacial works, you’re probably curious about what it can do for you. Here are the benefits you can get from this treatment for:

• Skin tightening
• Wrinkles
• Freckles
• Acne
• Warts
• Pore tightening
• Scars
• Spider veins
• Rosacea
• Redness of the skin
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun damage
• Laser hair removal

As you can see, IPL photofacials are great for a number of skin conditions!

What’s the Procedure Like?

What’s great about getting an IPL photofacial is it’s a very short process. One treatment takes just around 30 minutes to just under an hour, which means you can schedule an appointment during your lunch break if you wanted to!

First, the doctor will put some gel on your skin to cool it down and give you special eyewear to protect your eyes from the device’s light. Then, they’ll apply pulses of light to your skin with an IPL device. This will feel like a small pinching or stinging sensation.

Because this procedure is non-invasive, you won’t need any anesthesia or pain medication.

Right after the treatment’s done, your skin might be a little red and/or swollen, and any brown spots will start to darken. You’ll then start seeing results in about 1 to 3 weeks.

The great thing is, there is no downtime to IPL photofacials! This means you can go back to your normal daily life right after, provided that you follow the aftercare instructions.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

As with all procedures, there are some possible side effects you might get with IPL photofacials. They include:

• Redness of the skin
• Bruising
• Burns
• Blisters
• Scabbing
• White or dark patches

These side effects might sound daunting, but so long as you follow the proper aftercare instructions from your doctor, then the chances of getting these side effects will be small. And if you do get them, they’ll be minimal.

What’s IPL Aftercare Like?

Aftercare isn’t too difficult for this treatment. To get some relief immediately after, you need to ice the area for 30 minutes. Then, ice it for 15 minutes for 3 hours.

If you’ve gotten the treatment on your face, you can wash it later that night. However, make sure you do so gently, use products that aren’t harsh on your skin (including skincare products), and pat the area dry. Don’t use hot water either; warm is fine.

The main thing is to avoid exposure to the sun for a few days. Then, make sure you wear lots of sunscreen for the next 2 weeks.

Who’s a Good Candidate for IPL Photofacials?

People who have minor to moderate skin issues are good candidates for IPL photofacial treatment. For example, if you have rosacea, hyperpigmentation, other pigment issues, large pores, or fine lines and wrinkles that are noticeable, then you’re likely a good candidate!

In general, those with lighter and/or untanned skin will get better results from IPL photofacials. The side effect of white or dark patches is more commonly seen in people who have darker and/or tanned skin.

If you have more serious skin issues, you might not be a good candidate for IPL photofacials. Instead, you might want to consider something more aggressive, such as a facelift.

Also, if you’re taking Accutane or have done so recently, you should wait half a year before you get an IPL photofacial. Women who are pregnant should also wait until after they’ve had their babies to get IPL treatments.

How Much Does an IPL Photofacial Cost?

The IPL photofacial cost can vary between IPL providers.  In general, clinics will charge anywhere between $300 to $600 per session.

Of course, the cost will also depend on how many sessions you need. If your skin issues are minor, then you can expect to pay less than someone who has more moderate issues.

The best thing you can do is to schedule an initial appointment. Not only can you find out if you’re a good candidate, but you can also figure out how many sessions you need and what the cost would be. You’ll get a more accurate picture of how much you’ll need to spend on your IPL photofacials.

Book your IPL Photofacial today!

Now you know more about IPL photofacials after reading this article. Hopefully, this should put your mind at ease about this procedure and give you some motivation to book an appointment for this treatment.

Once you’ve tried IPL photofacials, you’ll wonder what took you so long to do so. With noticeable results and basically no downtime, these are perfect for getting your skin in the shape you need it to be!

Are you thinking of Googling “IPL near me” or “IPL nearby”? Then look no further!

Book your appointment with Modern Body Clinic now. We provide IPL to Gilbert, Arizona and the nearby east valley.