WHAT IS IT?

Laser Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a procedure designed for problems with facial veins and brown spots. This vascular laser is able to just remove blood vessels, spider veins, and red marks causing no tissue effect or damage to any other elements of the surrounding skin.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The IPL is the best treatment for fading away excess brown pigment (e.g. freckles, age spots, melasma) as well as clearing facial redness associated with rosacea and sun damage. The IPL targets the cells that contain the excess pigment and then causes the pigment to rise to the surface of the skin where it sloughs off. Because excess pigment is deposited at various layers of skin, it takes up to 6 treatments to reach the deeper layers of pigment to obtain optima results. For facial redness, the IPL closes down the tiny blood vessels that cause the redness.

DOES IT HURT?

Most patients report the sensation of the Intense Pulsed Light as a mild tingling sensation. Anesthetics are typically not required. Following the treatment, a sunburn sensation is usually felt, but subsides after 1 - 2 days.

WHAT ARE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS?

The most common side effects are a darkening of the more superficial brown spots of the areas being treated. This darkening of superficial brown spots will flake off after about 7 - 14 days. There may also be generalized redness of the skin around the brown spots. This can last 48 - 72 hours. We recommend scheduling treatments during the fall, winter, or spring.

HOW MANY DO I NEED?

The cost is based on the size of the area being treated and the number of treatments needed to address the specific problem. If treating brown spots of melasma, most people will need up to 6 treatments for ideal results. If treating redness, most people will require approximately 3 treatments. Treatments are done every 3 - 4 weeks.

IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME?

There is minimal downtime with IPL treatments. Darkened brown spots or discoloration can be covered with makeup if desired. Typically, darkening and discoloration is most evident after the first treatment and is less with subsequent treatments.