Superficial skin concerns caused by sun damage, hormones, and other factors can be frustrating to deal with. While over-the-counter products promise to brighten the skin and even out the skin tone, many of these products don’t live up to all of their promises. Fortunately, at Reflections Medical Spa in Cartersville, GA, we know that IPL photofacial treatments can significantly reduce pigmentation concerns for most patients.
How Many IPL Photofacial Treatments Will It Take to Get Results?
The number of treatments you will need to achieve optimal results usually ranges between three and six sessions. IPL treatments work gradually to accelerate cellular turnover so the appearance of superficial skin concerns will improve.
Your required number of treatments will depend directly on the condition of your skin and the severity of your skin concerns, as well as the specific concerns you are trying to treat. For example, treating rosacea may require additional or more regular treatments based on your flare-ups and other rosacea concerns. By contrast, treating sun damage or blemishes may only need a few treatments to reach optimal salts.
How Soon Will You See Results?
Although some people may notice initial results as early as a few weeks after their first appointment, most people will not notice significant results until after at least three months. The results of this treatment are gradual, which means results will continue to improve with more treatments and with time. The steady progress of your skin will allow us to tailor your treatment so that you can reach your optimal results as quickly as possible.
Sometimes, the timing of your treatment will affect how soon you will be able to see your results. Some people have very sensitive skin and may need to have more time in between their treatments, so this can mean it will take more time to reach optimal results.
Are Results Long-Lasting?
For the treatment of most skin concerns, IPL photofacials can produce results that last for six to 12 months, or sometimes longer for those who take very good care of their skin. However, estimating the longevity of your results can be difficult since everybody’s skin responds differently to the treatment and because factors that contribute to superficial skin concerns may not be able to be controlled or avoided.
For example, aging and genetics may make your skin more prone to faster visible aging, which means your results may not last as long as others. Chronic skin concerns like rosacea can also affect the longevity of your results, particularly if you encounter another trigger that causes a flare-up.
How Can You Maintain Your Results?
The best way to maintain your results is to have at least one annual treatment appointment a year. By having annual IPL photofacial treatments, you can maintain the overall appearance of your skin by stimulating cellular turnover and moderate collagen production. Some people who have results that last for only six months may want to have touch-up appointments at least twice a year. Other things you can do to maintain your desired results include:
Avoid Sun Damage
Damage from the sun is the number one cause of visible skin aging and concerns like dark spots, unwanted freckles, and blemishes. For that reason, the very best way to maintain your desired results is to avoid damage from the sun. The sun can damage your skin even if it doesn’t burn your skin, which means it can be tricky to avoid sun damage if you aren’t using the best skincare practices.
You should aim to wear SPF 30 or higher each day, even if it’s cloudy outside or if you are spending most of the day inside. UV rays are capable of traveling through clouds and windows. The UV rays that contribute to skin aging and superficial concerns are not the same rays that cause sunburns, so it’s best to use an SPF product that is broad-spectrum for the best protection.
Good Skincare Habits
Adopting good skincare habits is also an important way you can maintain your desired results. Much of your skin health and appearance relies on good skincare habits, including using good skincare products regularly. You should aim to adopt a skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, active skincare ingredients to target specific concerns, and sun protection. You should tailor your skincare products to the superficial treatments you are trying to treat by understanding the active ingredients that are in your products.
For example, many people rely on products that contain vitamin C to brighten the skin tone, while others may prefer to use retinoids to maintain high cellular turnover so the tone and texture of the skin are more even. If you aren’t sure what products you should be using, you can always ask one of our skin experts for recommendations based on your skin type and skin needs.
Is There a Best Age for This Treatment?
No, there is not a best age to have this treatment. IPL photofacials are not necessarily only used for anti-aging, so you can easily use this treatment during any part of your life as long as you have a superficial skin concern that you want to treat.
Many people in their 20s and 30s have early signs of sun damage, such as freckles and broken capillaries, that they may want to treat sooner rather than later. Damage from the sun builds up over time, so getting earlier treatment can ultimately benefit your skin in the long run. Those who have active skin concerns such as rosacea may also want to use this treatment earlier in life to prevent the worsening of this chronic skin condition.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
An IPL photofacial is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific light wavelengths to correct the appearance of the skin and promote healthier-looking skin. The light waves used in this treatment are specially designed to break up melanin deposits that may cause dark spots, and can even stimulate the production of collagen from deep within the skin to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This treatment can also reduce inflammation in the skin that contributes to flushing, redness, and uneven skin tone.
For your treatment, your appointments will usually take about 30 minutes to finish and are generally very comfortable. You will have preparation and aftercare instructions to follow so that you can get the best results from your treatment.
Preparation
Before your treatment, you should be careful about sun exposure so you can avoid triggering melanin production in response to the IPL treatment. Your skin is very sensitive to wavelengths of light and will respond to intense energy by producing more melanin, which will contribute to the development of hyperpigmentation or dark spots.
Please avoid sunlight for at least two weeks before your treatment by using strong SPF every day. You should also prepare for this treatment by avoiding irritating skincare products, including retinoids and other chemical exfoliants that can dry out the skin or otherwise delay your treatment.
Aftercare
After your treatment, you should continue to avoid unprotected contact with the sun for two to four weeks. In addition to avoiding sunlight, you also need to avoid hot water, steam, and excessive sweating that can potentially cause inflammation in the skin and skin irritation.
Your skincare products after your treatment should not be irritating, so this means you should avoid retinols and chemical exfoliants for at least three days after your appointment. After this point, you can go back to your regular skincare routine and use of your regular skincare products.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Most people who have superficial skin concerns are good candidates for IPL photofacial treatments. The non-invasive nature of this treatment means that it’s an ideal option for the vast majority of people, including those who have very sensitive skin. This treatment can be used to address sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, dark spots, unwanted freckles, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, broken capillaries, and dull or uneven skin tone.
