IPL Therapy, also sometimes referred to as Photofacials, is among the most popular options for non-invasive, fast, and permanent anti-aging treatments. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, a technology that uses short pulses of broad-spectrum laser light directed over the skin’s surface.
Developed in the 1990s, IPL is proven to roll back the visible signs of aging skin by dissolving damaged or discolored skin cells and boosting collagen production, giving skin a firm, healthy appearance even after the very first treatment.
A 10-year study by Stanford University shows IPL Therapy not only repairs signs of aging but helps to prevent future signs as well. Research participants that received only 2 to 3 IPL treatments per year even saw huge transformations in their skin. At the end of the study, research participants showed smoother, more even-toned, younger-looking skin.
Beyond anti-aging, IPL Laser treatments can resolve a variety of skin concerns. This includes sun damage, dark spots, unwanted freckles, birthmarks, varicose veins, broken blood vessels, acne scars, stretch marks, and more. IPL Therapy can clear up your complexion and get rid of visible problems that have plagued your confidence for years, all without resorting to any invasive procedures whatsoever.
Another key benefit of IPL Laser treatments is that it is pain-free with little to no downtime. This means you don’t have to worry about any skin irritation or long-lasting side effects. You may feel some extra sensitivity, but it’s not enough to stop you from going about your daily life.
With so many options for skin resurfacing currently available, it can be difficult to select the best treatment to meet your needs. If you’re wondering how IPL Therapy compares to similar treatments, like chemical peels, reviewing the unique benefits of our IPL Laser treatments is a great place to start. Alternatively, you can arrange a consultation with our experts to discuss if IPL Therapy is the best option for you. Check out the top eight reasons our patients choose IPL Laser treatments below:
As shown in the 10-year study at Stanford University, regular IPL treatments (2-3 per month) can positively alter the structure of skin cells making them behave more like young cells. The genetic expression of aged skin cells treated regularly with intense pulsed light resembles that of young, healthy skin cells. This shows that IPL Laser treatments can actually prevent - and not just treat - the superficial signs of aging.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is powerful enough to access the deeper layers of the dermis but gentle enough that it won’t cause excessive swelling, redness, or last irritation. Most patients who have an IPL treatment can apply makeup immediately after their appointment and return to work within 24 to 48 hours. If any side effects occur after this procedure, they’re usually limited to very mild redness and skin sensitivity compared to deep chemical peels which can produce symptoms of redness and flaking for up to two weeks.
IPL treatments typically take under an hour to complete, so you can easily schedule your procedure around other commitments.
The gentle lifting and revitalizing action of IPL Therapy can be complemented with other non-surgical procedures, especially injectables like Botox and dermal fillers.
Botox can reduce wrinkles in areas IPL Laser treatments can’t treat, such as the area around the eyes. Dermal fillers enhance the lifting effect of IPL Therapy by replacing facial volume that’s been lost with age. These compounds can also fill in any very deep creases that aren’t alleviated by skin resurfacing and IPL treatments alone.
When it comes to aging, the sun is your skin’s worst enemy. Most of the changes in skin conditions we associate with getting older are a direct result of exposure to UV radiation.
Sunlight breaks down the collagen in our skin, making it weaker and more susceptible to wrinkling and sagging. Sun damage also causes dark “age spots” to form on highly exposed areas (like the hands and face) and gives the skin a lined, leathery, weathered look.
IPL Therapy combats the effects of sun damage in two ways: First, it penetrates and draws out discolored cells that have formed deep in the dermis. By dissolving these cells, intense pulsed light gets rid of dark age spots and excessive freckling to restore an even, dewy complexion. After this stage of deep exfoliation is complete, the skin begins to generate a significant amount of new collagen, which replaces collagen that has been destroyed by the sun. As a result of this healing process, the skin becomes stronger and more supple.
Intense pulsed light can tackle the causes of acne and its lasting side effects, like scarring. This procedure also kills harmful bacteria and reduces redness and inflammation. Repeated IPL Laser treatments encourage the skin to shed and renew its outer layer, a process that gradually eliminates scar tissue.
Though IPL Therapy is most frequently used for facial rejuvenation, it can also renew the neck, upper chest, shoulders, hands, arms, and legs. If you have signs of sun damage on multiple parts of your body, treating them all with intense pulsed light may give you a more uniformly youthful look. When you visit Balanced Beauty for a consultation, our specialists will talk you through our various IPL plans.
Though the cost of the IPL Laser treatments varies depending on your location and how experienced your care provider is, this procedure is one of the most affordable methods of skin rejuvenation. IPL Treatments cost less than other laser treatments, while also being safer and more convenient.
If you’re ready to roll back the visible signs of aging skin, then IPL Therapy may be right for you. Be sure to schedule a free consultation today at the newest Wellness and Medical Spa in the Finger Lakes!
Monday - Saturday: By Appointment Only
Sunday: Closed