Photofacial is an advanced skin rejuvenation technique that uses pulse light technology to reduce redness, and uneven skin tone. Due to its noninvasive approach and immediate results, it is becoming one of the most popular skin care procedures to reduce the signs of aging and correct minor skin imperfections.
Aging has many signs and mixed with sun damage, some of these signs include broken blood vessels in the area of the chin, nose, cheeks, hands, and neck, along with unsightly brown spots. Age spots are brown areas on the skin that appear after much exposure to the sun, and they are caused by pigment forming that protects from UV rays. The injuries caused by the sun exposure stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in those areas. This process of new blood vessel growth is called inflammation.
Blood is brought in to the area from these new vessels in order to bring healing compounds in, and to remove damaged cells. Blood vessels that are damaged stay after the inflammation heals stay in place and leave unsightly marks and spots. These pigmented and red vascular spots create an aged appearance to the facial skin which is called dyschromia, which is a sign of facial aging.
How does it work?
The bright intense pulsed light is passed through a filter where only a specific color of the flash light reaches the skin. The pigmented areas of the skin that form age spots along with the burst blood vessels absorb the photofacial light selectively once it gets to the skin. The action of the high heat from IPL light works to destroy damaged blood vessels and areas of concentrated pigment.
Noninvasive processes such as these do not need much, if any, time to heal afterwards since they are not very intensive. It only takes a quarter to half an hour for the treatment, and then the patient can go on with their day. There are some signs of redness and capillary exposure right after the treatment at times. These minor side effects are quick to dissipate and the patient can immediately see the results of the treatment. While lasers lead to peeling of skin and possible scars, photofacial skin rejuvenation is gentle on the skin. There is some darkening that can occur in the treated areas, but skin is never broken during the procedure. Several hours is about the longest that any pinkness will normally remain. If required, this pinkness may be covered with makeup so that you can comfortably return to work the next day.
Treatments should be done every 2 or 3 weeks, and somewhere between 3 and 7 total treatments typically bring the expected results for patients. Redness on the face caused by a condition called Rosacea will be reduced noticeably, making the face appear clearer and brighter.
The treatment provider will provide you with a list of instructions afterwards, follow these to the letter. Avoid sun exposure before and after photofacial treatments. Exposure and tanning before treatment may occasionally lead to adverse effects such as blistering and dyspigmentation of the skin. Sun exposure following treatment can lead to recurrence of skin discoloration as well. Always wear sunscreen to maximize and sustain your results.By Stina Delance.