IPL stands for intense pulsed light therapy, and it is a therapeutic approach to the treatment of many medical conditions. Heliotherapy, an old-school name for this procedure, embraces the power of natural light without all the potential radiation damage that comes from the sun. How does IPL work to fight aging, though?
What causes aging skin and wrinkles?
Aging is a combination of the natural process of getting older and environmental factors. The structure of skin relies on three key components to look young:
- Collagen – Collagen gives skin firmness. The body starts making less of it every year after the age 20.
- Elastin – Makes skin supple. Elastin production decreases over time, too.
- Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) – Keeps skin hydrated. GAG formation slows with age, as well.
Wrinkle formation is what medical professionals call intrinsic aging. In other words, the natural aging process. Wrinkles form when the three key components necessary to keep skin young decline over time.
Extrinsic aging involves environmental factors such as:
- Sun exposure
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- Alcohol
- Lack of exercise
They can cause the skin to thicken, lesions to form and will enhance the effect of intrinsic aging.
What is intense pulsed light therapy?
IPL, or IPL photofacial, works using broad-spectrum light in various wavelengths to improve many disorders, especially ones that affect the skin and eyes. IPL is a proactive treatment for dry eye disease, for example.
It also treats skin conditions like:
- Facial flushing
- Broken capillaries
- Facial spider veins
- Certain kinds of birthmarks
- Port wine stains
- Facial hair
- Large pores
- Acne
- Liver and sun spots
Its popularity is growing as a cosmetic procedure to reduce the signs of aging, too. With IPL, one of our doctors uses a laser to effectively penetrate under the outer layer of skin with light and trigger the production of collagen, elastin and GAG, replacing some of what disappears naturally with age. The result is a smoother looking face without the potential complications of surgical procedures.
What to expect during an IPL?
The entire treatment lasts about 30 minutes and requires no recovery time. Patients may feel a prickly sensation during the procedure, like someone snapping the skin lightly with a rubber band. It doesn’t last long, though. Once the session is complete, you can go about your day.
Most patients see improvement after the first session, but it takes up to eight for the best results.
What are the benefits of an IPL photofacial?
The goal of this treatment is to rehydrate and rejuvenate the skin to give you a more youthful appearance. IPL technology targets things like:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Facial flushing
- Broken capillaries
- Age spots
- Freckles
- Acne scarring
- Minor sun damage
All these things work together to make you look older than you feel. The IPL photofacial diminishes the different elements that affect your skin health and appearance, so you look and feel younger.
To find out more about the IPL photofacial, go online and book an appointment today.