Sun Spots? Here’s What You Should Know About IPL Treatment!
- Posted on: Oct 15 2019
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It’s virtually impossible to live in a location such as ours and not enjoy the sunshine relatively often. Many of us bask in our beautiful weather more often than not. As a result, we can expect problems like pesky sunspots to develop at some point. These discolored patches may be few and far between or they may cover large areas such as the chest, neck, arms, or cheeks. Wherever they appear, sunspots make the skin look older than it needs to. IPL, intense pulsed light, is one way in which this cosmetic concern can be addressed. Here, we look at a few important details of IPL treatment.
IPL: What is it, exactly?
We mentioned that IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Other terms used to describe this treatment include photofacial and photorejuvenation. Although IPL is often referred to as a laser treatment, it falls into its own unique category. The nonablative technique emits pulses of intense, visible light onto a target area of skin. The broad-spectrum light gets absorbed by melanin and hemoglobin in the skin. Melanin is the chemical that gives skin its color. Hemoglobin is red blood cells. When light is absorbed into deposits of these substances, they break apart, come to the surface, and fall away from the skin. Results can begin to appear after one treatment, but a series of 3 to 5 may be necessary to fully rejuvenate the skin.
Do Spots Return after IPL?
Sunspots are the result of UV exposure. We do not assume that anyone who undergoes IPL treatment plans to curtail their sun-loving forever, so cannot say that the results of this procedure will last indefinitely. However, it is possible to decrease the chances of developing new sunspots by applying sunscreen every day. Physical sunscreens containing titanium oxide or zinc oxide are made lighter and clearer than they used to be and can be a great choice for applying to sun-exposed areas.
When is the Best Time for IPL?
Now is a great time of year for IPL treatments. While there are no drastic side effects after treatment and no downtime, it is ideal to stay out of the sun as much as possible while undergoing a series of IPL sessions. As we head into cooler months when less time may be spent on the beach, IPL has an excellent chance of achieving maximum skin-lightening.
The skin doesn’t stay youthful and radiant on its own. As we age, we need to develop ways to support the skin. At American Dermatology Associates, we’ve got multiple technologies to help you. To schedule your consultation in our Sarasota office, call (941) 379-6647.
Posted in: IPL Treatment
