Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-invasive form of cosmetic, medical, and therapeutic laser treatment. It is a non-ablative treatment that activates cell renewal and stimulates collagen production. Downtown DC IPL works to improve the appearance of your skin at the cellular level. It penetrates the skin’s surface to provide deep light penetration into deeper layers. This light energy stimulates collagen production, which encourages cell renewal.
IPL is similar to other forms of phototherapy (light therapy) but uses more focused and intense beams of light. Intense pulsed light treatments are available for many different types of skin conditions:
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by facial redness and visible blood vessels. Rosacea primarily affects the central portion of the face, including the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, and can affect the ears, neck, and chest.
IPL is among the most effective treatments for rosacea. The procedure involves delivering brief pulses of light energy to the affected areas where redness occurs. This energy helps to destroy existing blood vessels (vascular stimulation), and new blood vessels (angiogenesis) are formed by stimulating the production of stem cells in the skin. That will help eliminate the appearance of redness and inflammation caused by rosacea.
Acne scarring and pigmentation
The treatment breaks down the scarring and pigment, allowing for clearer skin. The therapy also helps to fade existing acne scars.
It does this by targeting the source of the scarring and preventing it from becoming inflamed. That could help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and blotchiness on the skin.
Facial freckles
Facial freckles are small, scaly, or reddish spots on the face and neck caused by hyperpigmentation. Your doctor can lighten these spots using over-the-counter products, but they often remain visible. IPL treatments can help reduce the visibility of facial freckles by reducing the size and number of brown spots on the face and neck.
Age spots
Age spots are raised areas of skin that are brown or yellow and can develop on any part of the body. They appear when pigment-producing cells in your skin begin to die off, but they usually appear in areas with less pigmentation.
IPL helps to remove age spots by removing their underlying cause. The treatment works by destroying melanocytes and preventing further damage from occurring.
Sun damage
Sun exposure can cause your skin cells to die prematurely, which leads to sun damage and loss of collagen fibers. IPL may help reverse these effects by reducing signs of photoaging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Facial veins
Facial veins are small, thin-walled blood vessels which appear as pink lines on the face. They often appear on the cheeks and nose and are caused by several factors, including sun damage and smoking. The impact of these veins on your health is significant. They can signify high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an effective treatment for facial veins because it stimulates collagen production and helps to reduce their appearance. It means that your skin will look healthier and more vibrant.
When it comes to skin conditions, the treatments available to you may vary depending on the type of condition. For example, if you have acne or rosacea, you will likely see results with IPL therapy in as little as one session. Contact Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center and request an appointment with a doctor to discover more about intense pulsed light (IPL).
