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Is Photorejuvenation the Same As IPL?

You may have heard about the skin-smoothing benefits of photorejuvenation. This is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments today because it can address a wide range of concerns. It improves fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, large pores, broken blood vessels, dull skin, and rosacea. At Still Waters Day & Medical Spa in Pensacola, FL, we offer this treatment for people who want to see professional results from their skincare.

Photorejuvenation Is IPL

Is photorejuvenation the same as IPL? This technology, which stands for intense pulsed light, is an advanced new way to harness the therapeutic qualities of photo technology. In the context of skincare, the answer is yes: they are one and the same.

IPL has several cosmetic applications, including hair removal and getting rid of unwanted tattoos. However, when it is used to achieve a glowing, even skin tone, we call it photorejuvenation.

What Is Photorejuvenation and How Does It Work?

It Can Achieve Many Aesthetic Goals

Everyone wants their skin to look smooth, even, and glowing. This treatment can give you this healthy appearance. It stimulates the production of collagen, a substance that your body uses to restore cells and give skin its structure. It can also target specific areas of damage, such as sun spots or broken blood vessels. This treatment was developed to:

  • Improve fine lines and wrinkles
  • Give skin a smoother texture
  • Treat areas of hyperpigmentation
  • Reduce sun spots and freckles
  • Provide a more even tone
  • Reduce pore size
  • Improve the appearance of broken blood vessels
  • Relieve rosacea
  • Increase brightness and radiance

 

It Utilizes an Effective Approach to Skincare

Experts today understand why we develop certain signs of aging and what can be done about them to really make a difference. In the past, most treatments focused on the topical application of ingredients to moisturize the skin and deliver nutrients. While hydration is very important to your daily routine, most of the creams and serums that you apply to the surface of your face don’t penetrate below the epidermis. Therefore, they don’t have much effect on the issues that originate below the first layer of skin.

Today, we know that the best treatments promote deep healing. This can be done in ways that are minimally invasive, such as injectables. It can also be accomplished with microdermabrasion or laser treatments. IPL is one of the best options because it uses advanced light technology to penetrate the epidermis without harming the top layer of your skin.

It Works With Sophisticated Technology

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. During this treatment, we deliver IPL with a hand-held device that emits a broad spectrum of wavelengths, like a photoflash. That’s why we call this treatment photorejuvenation. Different types of wavelengths are attracted to different structures in our skin. By using a broad spectrum of light energy, we can improve fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, rosacea, and many other issues all at the same time.

When our skin absorbs the energy from the device, it converts the wavelengths into heat. This has two effects. First, it causes our skin to produce collagen. Second, it helps our bodies clear away damaged tissue, replacing it with fresh, new cells. In this way, sun spots, freckles, and broken blood vessels are reabsorbed and improved.

What to Expect From an IPL Treatment

The Process Is Fast and Straightforward

Getting an IPL treatment only takes about 30 minutes. It starts with a consultation, which can often be done the same day as the actual session. We will talk about your skincare goals and determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment. When we begin, we will apply the device to your skin gently, focusing on the areas that you pointed out and encouraging a general renewal.

It Is Painless

There is no significant discomfort associated with this process. You might experience a sensation similar to the feeling you get from a light flick of a rubber band.

There Is No Down Time

You don’t need to plan to take time off work or other activities for this treatment. When we are done, you can leave the practice and resume your normal routine right away.

The Results Are Fast

Immediately after the application of the IPL device, you will enjoy greater brightness and radiance. Within two to three days, your fine lines and wrinkles will start to recede, and you will notice improvements in any sun spots or broken blood vessels you have. The results will continue to develop over the next few weeks.

You Can Achieve Maximum Results With a Series of Five or Six Sessions

Usually, our patients choose to do five or six sessions. The effects are cumulative, meaning that you will see the results increase after each application of the IPL device. After finishing the first five or six sessions, many patients request an annual maintenance treatment. Some people make IPL part of their cosmetic routine by getting regular sessions at broader intervals than the initial series.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IPL Photorejuvenation?

Many people who want to see improvements in their skin can benefit greatly from this treatment. It is not suitable for all skin types, but we will find an alternative if that is the case for you. Good candidates for this treatment have skin that shows some signs of aging but is generally healthy otherwise, with no sunburned areas or blisters. This treatment is best for individuals who want to improve the smoothness of their skin, get an even tone, and restore a more youthful look.

The Benefits of Photorejuvenation

It Increases Collagen and Promotes Cell Turnover

Did you know that when our skin loses collagen over time, it ages faster? Collagen is a protein that is produced naturally in our bodies. It is essential for maintaining structure, repairing damage, keeping skin tight, and preventing wrinkles. That’s why young people, who have an abundance of collagen, don’t get sagging skin or fine lines.

Signs of Aging

After our late 20s, our collagen levels drop more and more each year. As a result, we start to see many changes to our skin. It becomes less bright, wrinkles develop, and areas of hyperpigmentation can occur.

Restored Collagen Levels

The good news is that our bodies are always able to produce more collagen with the right encouragement. The wavelengths from the IPL device stimulate this process when our cells convert them into heat. As a result, you will enjoy the benefits of a more youthful amount of this essential protein. It will go to work reducing your wrinkles, increasing brightness, and correcting other signs of aging.

It Helps Heal Sun Damage

When it comes to the condition of your skin, we talk about two different types of aging: intrinsic and premature. Intrinsic aging occurs as a result of your genetics. The natural rate at which you lose collagen is a result of this process. Premature aging occurs when environmental factors expedite the changes in your skin. The sun is the biggest offender, generating between 80-90% of the damage you see.

Most people know that fine lines and wrinkles are often the result of sun exposure. Here are some of the other ways it changes our skin:

Sun Spots

The little brown dots that tend to make an appearance in our 50s are the result of exposure to UV rays. Our skin produces a pigment called melanin that is responsible for its color. UV rays can make our melanin production spiral out of control, causing groups of dark spots to cluster together. Any sun spots you have are the result of this process.

Freckles occur in a similar way, although they are smaller and can occur in younger people. An IPL photo facial will target your sun spots and encourage your body to reabsorb them. The new cells your skin produces to replace these damaged areas will be healthier and less pigmented, allowing you to enjoy a more even tone.

Broken Blood Vessels

Where do broken blood vessels come from, and why are they more prevalent as we get older? The surprising answer is that in many cases, they are also evidence of sun damage. UV rays weaken our capillaries, causing them to rupture and become visible.

As with sun spots, the IPL device can help remove broken blood vessels by targeting the color of these structures and encouraging your body to gently remove them. While certain kinds of light are best for sunspots, others are good for capillaries. That’s why this treatment delivers a variety of wavelengths.

It Improves Rosacea

Flushing momentarily or becoming a little rosy after exercise is normal, but for some people, facial redness is a chronic condition. Did you know that rosacea is the result of millions of broken blood vessels? While the cause is not fully understood, sun damage and other environmental factors can play a role in exaggerating this condition as we get older.

IPL can have a big impact on the appearance of this rosacea. Some studies suggest that it can reduce facial redness by 80-90%.

It Is Gentle on Your Skin

IPL provides a noninvasive way to care for your appearance without surgery. By emitting light in a diffused way, it reaches the lower levels of your skin without abrading or damaging the epidermis. For this reason, it is a very safe treatment that requires no downtime.

It Can Be Used Anywhere on the Body

While this treatment is sometimes called a photofacial, it can actually be used on any area of skin that can benefit from a smoother texture and a more even tone. Our patients usually request IPL for places that have seen the most sunlight, including the:

  • Hands
  • Shoulders
  • Forearms
  • Back

 

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about this treatment, schedule a consultation with us. Our staff would love to meet you, show you the practice, and answer all of your questions in person. We can customize this treatment specifically for you by recommending the right number of sessions and targeting the areas where you want to see the most improvement.

Get Radiant With the Power of Light

Light is an amazing, powerful element that can have a big impact on your appearance. While UV rays from the sun can damage your skin, the therapeutic wavelengths used in photorejuvenation restore its smoothness and give you a beautiful, radiant appearance. This treatment has multiple benefits and can treat many issues at the same time.

It is an excellent option for people who want to address fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, freckles, broken veins, facial redness, and large pores. You will love how your skin improves when you get photo technology on your side. For more information about this treatment, contact Still Waters Day & Medical Spa in Pensacola, FL. Our goal is to make you look and feel your best with the most advanced forms of professional skincare.

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