IPL

1. An accurate diagnosis by a physician is necessary prior to the IPL treatment.

2. Prior to the treatment, clean the treatment area. The treatment area should be free of any makeup, creams, perfumes and lotions. Male patients should shave just prior to treatment (the pigment in your beard could increase discomfort).

3. Discontinue sun tanning, use of tanning beds and any application of sunless tanning products one month before the treatment.

4. Always use an SPF 30 or greater sunblock on all exposed treatment areas. Wear sun protective hats and clothing.

5. Discontinue the use of exfoliating creams 1 week prior to the entire treatment

6. If the patient has a history of herpes outbreaks in the areas being treated, a prescribed medication, like Valtrex is recommended for one week prior to the treatment prior to the treatment to help prevent an outbreak.

Patients will need to have:

◊ A mild facial cleanser.

◊ A high quality sunblock SPF 30 (zinc and/or titanium dioxide >10%)

◊ A good moisturizer available for your after-care.

◊ For discomfort, a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used. If an open area occurs or if the treatment area is inadvertently picked an antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin can also be applied.

1. A mild sunburn-like sensation is expected. This usually lasts 1-2 hours but can persist up to 24 hours, individuals may vary. Mild swelling, tenderness and/or redness may accompany this.

2. Apply ice packs or gel packs (do not apply direct ice) to the treated area for 10-15 minute intervals every hour for the next four hours as needed. A topical anti-inflammatory can be used for redness and tenderness. An oral, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken to reduce discomfort, use according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. In rare cases, prolonged redness or blistering may occur, if this happens please call the physician’s office. An antibiotic ointment may be applied to the affected areas twice a day until healed.

4. Shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature-sensitive. Avoid soaking in a hot tub of water. Avoid scrubbing, use of exfoliants, scrub brushes and loofah sponges until the treatment area has returned to its pre-treatment condition.

5. The pigmented lesions may initially look raised and/or darker with a reddened perimeter, this is normal. It will gradually turn darker over the next 24-48 hours. It may turn dark brown or even black and will begin to flake off in 7-10 days. Rarely would it progress to a scab or crusting phase, if this happens, please call us.

6. Veins or vascular lesions may undergo immediate graying or blanching (turning white) or they may exhibit a slight purple or red coloring. If the treated area develops crusting or a scab, it will start to flake off in 7-14 days. The vessels will fully or partially fade in about the same amount of time. Repeat treatment to veins may be every 7-14 days, or when the skin has fully recovered.

7. Do not pick, scratch or remove any scabs. Allow them to flake off on their own. Lesions are usually healed in 7-10 days. They will continue to fade over the next 6-8 weeks after treatment.

Please keep all follow up appointments and do not hesitate to call our office if you have questions or concerns.

Until the redness has completely resolved, avoid all of the following:

◊ Applying cosmetics to the treated area

◊ Swimming, especially in pools with chemicals, such as chlorine

◊ Ocean swimming and Hot Tubs/Jacuzzis

◊ Excessive perspiration or irritation to the treated area

◊ Sun exposure to the treated areas – to prevent skin color change.

8. Call your physician’s office with any questions or concerns you may have after the treatment

- What is IPL? -

Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a cosmetic skin treatment. People may use it to reduce the signs of aging, pigmentation, vasculature, reduce acne, or remove unwanted hair. An IPL treatment uses the power of broadband light to deliver pulses of intense light to penetrate the layers of the skin. Most patients describe experiencing a fast, pinching sensation during treatment, with minimal discomfort. There is no need for injections or incisions, giving patients the bonus of no downtime required.

- What is unique about IPL? -

Unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light. It can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time. After IPL, you may look younger because your skin tone is more even. While laser therapy uses a set wavelength depending on the procedure, intense pulsed light therapy uses multiple different wavelengths of light released in pulses. You can think of it as a strobe light passing along the skin. IPL isn’t a focused beam like a laser. It instead is dispersed beams of light that work together. As the light penetrates down to the second layer of skin, it allows the cells to absorb its energy, heat up, and eventually destroy the pigmentation within the cell. This is how age spots, other discoloring blemishes, moles, birthmarks, and rosacea are diminished.

- What are some indications for IPL? -

Skin tone, wrinkles, photoaging, skin rejuvenation, photo-facials, sun damaged skin, uneven pigmentation, scars, spider veins, vascular lesions, rosacea, acne, and hair reduction.

- How does it work? -

IPL works on the same principles as laser in that light energy is absorbed by targeted cells (chromophores) with color in the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy, which causes damage to the specific target area. IPL systems are different to lasers in that they deliver many wavelengths (or colors) in each pulse of light instead of just one wavelength. This technology use filters to refine the energy output for the treatment of certain areas. This enhances penetration without using excessive energy levels and enables targeting of specific chromophores (skin components that absorb light). The light heats cells in the skin and breaks them down. The body then removes the damaged tissue naturally.

- Does it help anti-aging / stimulate collagen? -

IPL will stimulate collagen growth by treating a deeper layer of skin, while improving texture, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

- How does it feel? -

During the procedure, people may feel a pinching sensation. Some individuals have described this as a feeling similar to an elastic band being “snapped” on the skin. Sensation is moderate and very tolerable.

- How long does a treatment take? -

Average treatment takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

- What to expect? -

• Your skin may be temperature sensitive for several days after treatment. Brown spots and freckles will appear darker while healing.

• It should take 4-6 weeks to see the full result and 2-3 treatments may be required to achieve an optimum result.

• The sessions are designed to provide no downtime however, occasionally you may find that your cheeks and under eye areas are slightly puffy after treatment. You may use cold compresses (5 minutes on and 10 minutes off) several times an hour to help ease both redness and swelling.

• Sleeping with your head elevated for the first night will also help decrease any swelling you may experience.

• Redness around the treated area for a few hours to days.

• Freckles and age spots may darken for three to seven days before starting to fade.

• Skin flaking for up to 10 days.

• Minor bruising that may last two weeks or less.

- What to avoid after IPL -

• No hot showers for 48 hours.

• For 2 days after a treatment avoid taking aspirin, Ibuprofen, drinking alcohol, heavy exertion and activities which may cause skin flushing.

• Avoid harsh topical products such as retinols and glycolic acid products for one week after each session.

• Avoid direct sunlight on the treated area and use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater for 4 to 6 weeks after treatment.

• No swimming for a week, especially in pools with chemicals such as chlorine.

• No strenuous exercise for 48 hours. You can hit the gym after about 2 days post-therapy.

• No hot tubs or Jacuzzis for 48 hours.

• Avoid activities that cause excessive perspiration for 24 hours.

• Do not pick at or remove any loosening or peeling skin.

• No electrolysis, facial waxing, or depilatories (hair removal products) for 14 days after a treatment.

- Before your appointment -

• It is imperative that you avoid significant sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 4 weeks prior to your treatment.

• Avoid applying self-tanner for 2 weeks prior to treatment.

• Avoid aspirin and Ibuprofen for one week prior to your treatment. Inform the doctor if you are taking blood thinners or regularly take aspirin or ibuprofen.

• Avoid alcohol for 2 days prior to treatment.

• Inform the doctor if have taken Accutane (oral acne medication) in the past year.

- Pre-treatment, day of appointment -

• If possible, arrive without creams or make-up on the treatment area. Otherwise please arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment in order to clean the skin. Cleansing products are available for your convenience.

• Allow approximately 45 minutes for your appointment depending on the size of the treatment area.

• Pre-treatment photos will be taken.

• Just prior to treatment, you will be given eye shields or glasses to wear to protect your eyes.

- Post-treatment -

• Use mild cleansers and moisturizers.

• Avoid Aspirin, Ibuprofen, alcohol, heavy exertion and activities which may cause flushing for 2 days after treatment.

• Avoid harsh topical products such as retinols and glycolic acid products for one week after.

• Avoid direct sunlight on the treated area and use a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater for 4 -6 weeks after your treatment.

• Anticipate some social downtime following your treatment.

- Will I need to take time off? -

The short answer is no. Healing after an IPL treatment varies with the patient although in most cases takes less than a week and as little as a few hours to days. Immediately after the treatment you may notice some minor redness and swelling, similar to that of a sunburn. Ice packs or a cool washcloth can be used as needed. If treating freckles and other dark spots, you may experience dryness and flaking of the treated area. Some of the spots may appear darker, but they should slough off within a few days. You can apply makeup immediately after an IPL treatment if desired. Avoid heavy exertion and activities which may cause flushing of the skin for three days after treatment.

- When will I see results? How long do they last? -

Pigment: It will take four to six weeks to see the full results from a single treatment, however you should see dark spots fade and slough off within a week. If you complete a series of treatments about one month apart, the maximum results will be visible in two to three months after the last treatment.

Veins: The results of IPL begin to appear right after treatment and continue to improve over the next few days to weeks. It does take some time for veins to fully collapse and be reabsorbed by the body, so full results cannot be seen right away. If symptoms accompanied the spider veins, they are usually relieved immediately after treatment.

- How many treatments will I need? -

Depending on the indication of treatment, for best IPL results it is generally recommended that patients receive, on average, 3-4 treatments scheduled four weeks apart.

- Are there any side effects? -

Mild complications of IPL include: Redness, swelling, light bruising, itching, peeling, and scabbing.

- How much can a procedure cost? -

Treatment costs vary from $250 - $500 per session.