23 May YES, You Can Get IPL in the Summer!
Perhaps you’ve heard that the best time to get laser skin rejuvenation is in the winter months. While winter is a great time for intense pulsed light (IPL) and other laser skin resurfacing treatments, you can actually opt for this game-changing treatment year-round. Parson Skin Center is home to one of the largest laser suites in the area, and includes the beloved IPL. You can schedule your consultation or appointment for IPL right now, but it is worth noting why many people say winter is best—and it’s pretty simple.
After laser skin rejuvenation (or many other cosmetic procedures), it’s important to steer clear of excess sun for at least two weeks afterward. This is because skin is healing, fragile, and “new” skin is being revealed. However, this doesn’t mean you have to bunker down and not leave your house at all. Instead, slather on medical-grade sunscreen when you are exposed to UV rays and avoid any tropical vacations immediately after IPL. Pretty simple!
Get Ahead of the Sun
IPL can do a lot of things, but what it’s really known for is undoing sun damage. Also known as a PhotoFacial, it can tackle fine lines, age spots, discoloration, and a host of other types of hyperpigmentation, including melasma. It’s an energy-based device, but is grouped within the laser family because it works in a very similar way. At Parson Skin Center, we have the Lumenis IPL machine, which is lighter and gentler than other “laser” technologies so you get almost no downtime and gorgeous results.
Sun damage not your primary issue? You can also use IPL to calm down redness caused by rosacea. If you struggle with this skin condition, you know that the summer months can bring on flare-ups. Prone to acne? IPL can kill the bacteria that causes breakouts. Want to heal quicker from surgery? IPL can help with that, too. It’s also an excellent means of kick+starting collagen production, which heals and youth-ifies skin from the inside out using your very own collagen. IPL does so much that it can take on multiple skin issues in a single session.
Where to IPL
IPL can be used just about anywhere on the body, and is most commonly requested on the chest, face, and hands. If you want to undo hyperpigmentation and other typical skin woes anywhere on the body—including varicose veins, broken blood vessels, freckles, and birth marks—IPL can help. Just keep in mind that the skill of your provider also plays a major role in the results. In other words, you only want a medical facility taking care of your IPL treatments.
What About Lasers?
Is IPL better than lasers? There’s no singular “best” treatment for all (otherwise, we would just offer one technology!). IPL and “real” lasers have many similarities, but there are also key differences. Lasers have a single wavelength that targets the skin, but IPL offers a mix of light wavelengths. This is why it’s called a photo flash, thus PhotoFacial. This scattered light is indeed less concentrated, making it able to penetrate to the second layer of skin without damaging the top layer. What does this mean for you? More comfort and a lot less downtime.
The unwanted pigment absorbs the IPL light, transferring it into heat. Next, that heat breaks up the pigment. However, IPL does have its limits. For those who are prone to keloids, you might want to avoid IPL. Don’t worry, though, because we have plenty of other laser options for you! A consultation is where you’ll get started on learning about all the technology we have and getting matched to the right option(s).
Love Lumenis
Why did we choose the Lumenis M22 as our IPL machine? Because it’s a multi-application machine that has been approved to treat over 30 conditions. With the Optimal Plus Technology, a single handpiece can be outfitted with a myriad of filters for fully individualized treatments. The vast majority of clients are going to need multiple sessions for optimal results, usually 3 – 6, but you will see results about one month after your first session.
Use IPL as both a treatment and preventative tool, and maintain those results by scheduling maintenance sessions every six months or so. Start loving the skin you’re in this summer and keep it going year-round with IPL. Contact Parson Skin Center today to schedule your consultation. Give us a call or fill out the online contact form now.