As you age, you may start to notice sun damage on your face, chest, hands, and other areas. Exposure to the sun can cause sun spots and freckles. If you want to minimize these or other signs of aging in your skin, Intense Pulsed Light Treatments, or IPL, is one option that you can discuss with us. IPL can help with dark spots, freckles, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, rosacea, and more. At North Dallas Dermatology Associates, we offer Intense Pulsed Light treatments for skin rejuvenation.
What Is an IPL Treatment?
Intense pulsed light is a treatment that uses flashes of broad-spectrum light to target dark or discolored areas of the skin. This non-laser light targets red and brown areas of the skin without removing the top layer of the skin. With IPL, different wavelengths can be used to target various concerns. We can discuss these concerns with you when you come to our office in Dallas, TX to devise a customized treatment plan.
Who Can Benefit From IPL Treatments?
Intense pulsed light treatment can be used for many people who are struggling with skin redness, dark spots, veins, and other problems. It works best on individuals with lighter skin since the treatment targets brown or red coloring. If you have darker skin, you’ll want to talk to us about other treatment options that are safer and more effective for your skin tone. This treatment is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or individuals who are taking Accutane.
Comparing IPL With Other Treatments
If you have heard of other treatments such as microneedling, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing, you may be wondering whether IPL is the right choice for you. Each of these treatments can be used in different applications to target certain conditions. We can help you find the right treatment for your situation.
Microneedling
Microneedling can also be used to treat red and brown discoloration. However, since this treatment prompts your body to increase its collagen production, it may be a better choice if your main complaint is wrinkles, stretch marks, or acne scarring. Both IPL and microneedling have very little downtime so either could be a good choice if you are eager to get back to your routine quickly.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use special acid solutions that take off the top layer of skin. There are options for more or less intensive chemical peels, but all of them will reveal healthier skin underneath. They can be good for treating scars, discoloration, and wrinkles. When done correctly, chemical peels can be used on people with a wide range of skin colors. But IPL may be better if you want a shorter downtime or you want to address your rosacea or remove unwanted hair.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing comes with a much longer recovery time than Intense Pulsed Light treatments because it removes the top layer of skin. However, it can be more effective for deeper wrinkles and acne scarring.
Some treatments can be combined to help you target multiple different complaints. Talk to us to find out what your skin can tolerate when it comes to layering treatments.
How Can You Prepare for Your Appointment?
In the weeks before your IPL appointment, you need to make sure to keep your skin from getting tanned or sunburned. IPL devices can’t tell the difference between coloration from sun spots or rosacea, and coloration from sun tanning. You should also avoid chemical peels or other similar treatments for several weeks before your treatment.
Be gentle on your skin in the weeks leading up to your treatment. Wash it with mild soap, apply a light moisturizer, and wear plenty of sunscreen any time you go outside. You should also avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications on the day of your treatment.
What Can You Expect From Your Treatment?
The length of your treatment time will depend on how much skin you are having us treat. If you are targeting specific areas on your face, it may take 20-30 minutes. It can be longer if you are having larger sections of skin treated.
At the beginning of your treatment, we will give you eye coverings to protect your eyes from the intense light. We will apply a gel to your skin which will cool your skin during the treatment. You may experience a warming sensation or a stinging feeling. Most people tolerate these sensations well, but we can also apply a topical numbing cream if you feel nervous about the treatment.
You may need several treatments to see the results you are looking for. Treatments should be spread out with several weeks in between to give your skin plenty of time to heal. Four or more treatments are not unusual for IPL skin rejuvenation.
Caring For Your Skin After Your Appointment
It is common to have skin that is slightly red and inflamed after having it treated with Intense Pulsed Light. You can take care of your skin by applying calming lotion and staying out of the sun. Any redness and swelling should decrease after the first couple of days.
Your dark spots may get darker at first as the melanin comes to the surface. After a couple of weeks, you may notice your dark spots start to break up and lighten. These effects can increase after several treatments.
IPL Treatments in Dallas, TX
You can find out more about whether Intense Pulsed Light treatments are right for you by calling us. At North Dallas Dermatology Associates, we serve Dallas and many nearby areas such as Preston Hollow, Highland Park, Greenville, White Rock, University Park, and the SMU area.