Laser Photofacials FAQs
What conditions does the photofacial treat?
The Photofacial is a multiple purpose technology, treating a variety of skin conditions including, enlarged pores, fine lines, rosacea, facial redness, broken capillaries, age spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation.
What is treatment like?
During the treatment, our Medical Aesthetician will apply a thin layer of cooling gel and she’ll use a delicate, computer-generated hand piece to deliver gentle pulses of light energy to the skin. The process usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the area treated.
Immediately following your treatment, your skin may be somewhat red and flushed. Tiny capillaries may be more visible and brown spots generally appear darker at first before gradually fading away.
What are the benefits of photofacial treatments?
- Photofacial treatments involve minimal discomfort and no downtime
- Minimal risk of complications
- Treatments effectively diminish brown / age spots, facial redness and rosacea
- Treatments reduce irregular pigment for a more uniform skin color
- Enlarged pores are reduced
- Skin texture is improved when multiple treatments are performed
How soon will I see results?
Two to three days after your first treatment, you’ll notice more uniform color. The improvement, however, is gradual and will be more visible with each treatment. Generally, three to six treatments are recommended for optimal results. After the second treatment, most patients begin to notice improved skin texture, as multiple treatments stimulate new collagen formation in the dermal layer.
What areas can be treated?
Although this treatment can be used on any area of the body, because of the nature of the treatment and the result it offers, it is most commonly performed on the full face, neck, and/or chest, and hands.
What results can I expect?
After a series of treatments is performed, most of our patients experience a significant lightening of darkened areas and/or a significant fading of redness or rosacea as well as a softening of textural irregularities.
How does the photofacial treat redness?
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) technology is different than laser light in that it emits energy over many wavelengths. This allows the light to penetrate through the skin at different depths where dilated vessels can be found. Lasers produce only a single wavelength of light, which can limit the conditions in which they can treat.
Will I experience discomfort?
Most patients describe the sensation to be like the snap of a rubber band on the skin as the pulses of energy are delivered through the hand piece. After treatment, the discomfort is virtually nonexistent.
How much improvement can I expect?
Most of our patients experience an average of 80% to 90% improvement.
What are the alternatives to this treatment?
Photofacial technology provides long-term improvement in skin color plus the added benefit of smoother texture – all without the slightest interruption in your busy lifestyle. At this time, there are no better alternatives.