How Many IPL Photofacial Treatments Do I Need?

Sunscreen? Check. Facial mask? Check. Daily moisturizer? Check. You’ve got the skincare basics covered now, but what about the cumulative effects of all that UV exposure through the years? Is it possible to reverse sun damage? The team at aNu Aesthetics™ & Optimal Wellness in Kansas City, MO is pleased to offer IPL photofacial to anyone interested in a more fresh and youthful-looking complexion.

What Is IPL?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is sometimes referred to as a photofacial. This treatment uses pulsed light to target damaged cells in the skin, triggering a natural wound healing process. IPL photofacial is a fast, safe, minimally invasive skin rejuvenation technology.

Conditions Treated With IPL

Unlike a laser, IPL uses broad-spectrum, high-intensity light, filtering out unwanted wavelengths. This allows the treatment to address multiple skin conditions simultaneously:

Hyperpigmentation
Acne
Skin flushing, rosacea, and other causes of redness
Age spots and freckles
Large pores
Broken capillaries
Vascular lesions
Sun spots and other UV damage
Spider veins
Scars
Fine lines and wrinkles

IPL photofacial can be used on the face, neck, arms, chest, back, and legs.

How Does an IPL Photofacial Work?

The light emitted during IPL treatment penetrates the epidermis and heats the melanin-producing cells in the skin. The surrounding tissue is left unharmed, but the targeted blood vessels and capillaries are destroyed. The pigmentation is broken up and brought to the skin’s surface and the discoloration begins to flake off within a few days. New collagen fibers are laid down and you’ll notice a gradual improvement in the appearance of your skin over the next several weeks.

What Can I Expect During Treatment?

Before the treatment begins, we’ll give you a pair of dark-colored, medical-grade goggles to protect your eyes from the light. We apply a cooling gel to help the wand move more easily over the skin. During the treatment, you should expect only minor discomfort in the form of a minor stinging sensation. The treatment takes about 30 minutes. There is no downtime, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward.