Ipl Laser For Face

Ipl Laser For Face

Ipl laser treatment is a fast, effective, and painless approach to radically improve your appearances, and it may be used to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, acne scars, and other skin blemishes. Both men and women can benefit from these procedures, which eliminate the signs of aging and ink permanently.

Intense Pulsed Light refers to a specific kind of light therapy that is used to treat skin conditions. It generates heat in the targeted area by emitting brief bursts of bright light into the skin. The heat kills off damaged cells and encourages the hair follicles to produce new hair. This method can be used to lessen the look of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as age spots, sun damage, and acne scars.

IPL therapy uses many wavelengths to fix unwanted skin pigment conditions or vein changes. The light waves pass through the top layer of skin (epidermis) to the targeted lesion, either pigmented or vascular. In IPL treatment for pigment issues: The light heats the pigment cells and destroys them. Read on to learn more on ipl treatment for pigmentation/does ipl cause cancer.

Ipl Laser For Face

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, aka photofacial, is a way to improve the color and texture of your skin without surgery. It can undo some of the visible damage caused by sun exposure — called photoaging. You may notice it mostly on your face, neck, hands, or chest.

IPL may help if you have red, brown, or splotchy skin because of a health condition.

How IPL Treatment Works

IPL uses light energy to target a certain color in your skin.

When the skin is heated, your body gets rid of the unwanted cells, and that gets rid of the thing you’re being treated for. Unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light. It can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time.

After IPL, you may look younger because your skin tone is more even. And since the light doesn’t hurt other tissue, you can get better quickly.

A board-certified dermatologist should give it. (You might see the letters FAAD — fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology — after their name.) In some cases, a nurse or physician assistant might be able to do it. Either way, find someone who’s skilled with IPL.

Who Should Get IPL Treatment?

It works best if you have pale or light brown skin. Talk to your dermatologist if you want to lessen or get rid of:

• Acne
• Birthmarks
• Stretch marks
• Liver or age spots
• Broken blood vessels
• Brown spots, also called liver or age spots
• Dark spots from hormonal changes
• Discolored skin
• Fine wrinkles
• Freckles
• Redness from rosacea
• Scars
• Spider veins
• Unwanted hair

Who Shouldn’t Get IPL Treatment?

Talk to your doctor first if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have a skin condition
• Take medication for other conditions

IPL isn’t a good idea if you:

• Are sensitive to light
• Have recently tanned your skin using sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning creams
• Might have skin cancer
• Use a retinoid cream
• Are very dark-skinned
• Have a skin resurfacing disorder
• Have severe scarring
• Have keloid scar tissue

On the day of your appointment, avoid using perfume, makeup, and scented products that can irritate your skin.

Effectiveness of IPL Treatment

How well IPL works can depend on what you want the treatment to fix.

Redness: After one to three treatments, light therapy can get rid of 50%-75% of broken blood vessels for most people. They could completely go away. While treated veins don’t come back, new ones might show up later.

If rosacea causes your face to flush, IPL can be a good alternative to laser therapy. You may have better results if:

• You’re under 40
• Your condition is moderate to severe

Sun damage: You may see 70% less of the brown spots and redness caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Hair removal: You’ll get the most benefit if you have light skin and dark hair. It may not work at all if you have dark skin or blond hair.

Acne: IPL may help if you have acne or the scarring it causes. You may need about six sessions to notice a difference. Research is continuing.

Risks and Side Effects of IPL Treatment

IPL is safe when done by a trained technician. But the treatment could cause hormonal brown spots to flare up. You could have other unwanted side effects.

Your skin could:

• Scar
• Hurt
• Swell
• Bleed
• Become infected
• Change color
• Get crusty
• Blister

Talk to your dermatologist if you feel sick after your treatment or your symptoms get worse.

What to Expect During IPL Treatment

Before the procedure, don’t:

• Tan in the sun, in a tanning bed, or with tanning creams for 4 weeks before you go
• Wax, or get a chemical peel or collagen shots for 2 weeks before
• Wear perfume, makeup, deodorant, or any skin irritants
• Take aspirin or another drug that can make you bleed more
• Take any medication that will make you sun-sensitive; for example, the antibiotic doxycycline.

Once you’re there, a technician or dermatologist will rub gel on your clean skin. You’ll wear dark glasses to protect your eyes. The handheld IPL device will go right on your body. The session will probably last 20 or 30 minutes. Large areas could take an hour or more.

While most people are fine with the light pulses, the treatment could sting a little. It might feel like someone is snapping a rubber band on you. Your dermatologist can give you numbing cream to put on 30-60 minutes before treatment starts.

What Recovery From IPL Treatment Looks Like

It may feel like you have a sunburn for 4-6 hours after you’re finished. Ice packs or a cool washcloth can help you feel better.

Your skin may be red or bruised for a day or two. Some of your brown spots may get darker, but they should peel off within a few weeks.

While you heal:

• Don’t put on makeup if your skin hurts.
• Use moisturizing lotion.
• Protect yourself with sunscreen. Make sure it has an SPF of at least 30 and a physical blocker like zinc. Reapply it every 2 hours, even if it’s not sunny outside.
• Wash your face with cleanser for sensitive skin.

Your dermatologist can tell you when it’s safe to return to your normal skin care routine. It might take a week.

Most people get between three and seven sessions. It depends on the condition you’re treating. You’ll wait 2-4 weeks between each visit. It may take several weeks for you to notice any changes in your skin.

Things to Keep in Mind About IPL

These procedures aren’t cheap. In 2018, the average fee was $400 per session. Usually, cosmetic procedures aren’t covered by insurance. Ask your dermatology clinic if it offers a payment plan.

IPL can make your skin look better, but it can’t stop future aging. It also can’t help the condition that affected your skin. You can get follow-up treatment once or twice a year to maintain your look.

Alternatives to IPL Treatment

These options also may treat your skin spots, fine lines, and redness.

Microdermabrasion. This uses small crystals to gently buff off the top layer of your skin, called the epidermis.

Chemical peels. This is similar to a microdermabrasion, except it uses chemical solutions applied to your face.

Laser resurfacing. This removes the damaged outer layer of the skin to promote growth of collagen and new skin cells. Lasers use only one wavelength of light in a concentrated beam. IPL, on the other hand, uses pulses, or flashes, of several types of light to treat multiple skin issues.

Ipl Treatment For Pigmentation

How does IPL treat pigmentation? Intense Pulsed Light targets the melanin, breaking up bonds between the cells to lighten the patches and disperse the clusters over time.

IPL (Intense Pulse Light) for pigmentation correction effectively fades and removes age spots, sun spots and discolouration to greatly improve overall skin tone, texture and radiance. IPL Skin Pigmentation treatments work by transmitting heat from the IPL light through to the pigmented skin areas. The IPL technology is attracted to dark pigmentation, effectively drawing the discolouration to the surface of the skin, allowing the dermis to begin the healing process of correcting the blemishes.

What does the treatment involve?

Before we can start your package of IPL for Pigmentation we must first perform a test patch on an area of your skin to help our technicians to determine the best settings for your individual treatment. An IPL patch test is performed in clinic in the days leading up to your first IPL pigmentation treatment. We perform a small number of test shots in the treatment area with slightly different machine settings in order to see how your pigmentation responds. This is to ensure that you get the best results possible on the day of treatment and more importantly to ensure your safety on the day. Generally only one test patch appointment is required however some clients will require additional test patching if their pigmentation does not respond easily. Once we have determined the best settings for your skin type we will get you back into clinic for your first IPL Pigmentation treatment.
 

During IPL Pigmentation treatment a cool gel is applied to the skin and you will be given dark glasses to protect your eyes. A hand piece is placed on your skin and pulses of light are emitted to treat the skins imperfections. The firing of the IPL feels like the flicking of an elastic band, and does not require local anaesthetic cream or analgesics beforehand. Treatments can take as little as 5-10 minutes, or up to 45minutes, depending on the area treated. Immediately after treatment the area reddens and may feel like sunburn for 2-12 hours and some swelling of the spots will be seen. If large areas or many spots are being treated, significant swelling can occur.

By day two, the pigment starts to darken, and over the next few days crusts over and then literally washes off. This will take 5 – 7 days on the face and 10 – 20 days on the body.

Ever heard of IPL for Dry Eyes?

In this article, learn how Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can help relieve Dry Eyes.

Are you tired of the constant discomfort and trouble because of your eyes?

Are over-the-counter artificial tear solutions not working anymore?

IPL can help relieve the signs and symptoms of dry eyes by dealing with the root cause.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment can now be used to treat chronic dry eyes caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and Ocular Rosacea.

Don’t let the persistent irritation caused by dry eyes take control of your daily life.

Read on as we discuss everything you need to know about IPL treatment.

What is Intense Pulsed Light Treatment?

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL treatment is a skin treatment that improves dry eyes.

IPL treatment has been used by Dermatologists for over twenty years.

For example, people who had IPL treatment for Rosacea found their dry eyes were significantly improved.

IPL can directly deal with one of the leading causes of dry eyes known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

MGD is the leading cause of over 86% of dry eye cases along with other factors.

This dysfunction occurs when the meibomian glands don’t produce enough oil for the tears which keeps the eye moist.

How can IPL help with dry eyes?

Watch this video by Dr Joseph Allen, Doctor Eye Health about IPL for Dry Eyes:

IPL treatment involves flashes of light to the skin around the eyelids and face.

Light gets absorbed by the mitochondria of the Meibomian Glands. This helps to switch on the Glands. They become ‘younger’ and more active. The Glands produce better Meibomian Oil and improve dry eyes.

IPL also helps target Ocular Rosacea. Flashes gets absorbed in the small, leaky capillaries in Ocular Rosacea. It helps to ‘seal off’ these leaky vessels. The result is less inflammation and redness.

IPL also kills bacteria and Demodex on the surface of the eyelids.

In short, IPL helps switch on your eyes and break the vicious cycle of dry eyes.

How does IPL compare to Lipiflow?

Lipiflow and IPL are treatments for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Here is a table comparing the effictiveness of IPL to:

• Lifitegrast/Cyclosporin
• Lipiflow (Thermal Pulsation)
• Hypochlorous Acid
• Omega Three Supplements

Table by Dr Laura Periman M.D. (Dry Eye Master).

Can IPL cause other side effects? Even though IPL will not cause cancer, it is important to consider the following: Issues may arise if the technician is over or under-treating the skin. Be sure to choose a reputable clinic.

Does Ipl Cause Cancer

One of the most popular skin treatments for men and woman are laser skin treatments, but with the many technological advancements made in the skin care industry over the years, you’re probably finding yourself wondering which options are best for you, and which treatments can cause skin diseases like cancer.

There are many questions regarding laser skin treatments and the various ways they may negatively affect your body. The facts are though, that the risks associated with laser treatments are quite minimal, and those risks only apply to certain special circumstances.

Can laser skin treatments cause cancer?

You’ll find a lot of myths floating around when it comes to laser skin treatments. One of the popular myths is that laser treatments can cause cancer. The fact is that there hasn’t been any medical evidence of a link between laser treatments and cancer.

An example of a laser treatment that has zero risks associated with Cancer is IPL photo-rejuvenation which treats a vast array of different skin issues. With IPL, light therapy is used to help your skin look and feel better, and after just a few sessions you’ll notice a difference that will last quite a long time – but, there’s no risk of cancer.

Most people are unaware that during the treatments, no bodily organs in the body are directly or indirectly affected. The treatment laser is used to only treat the topmost layer of your skin, but organs are not affected.

The light used for laser therapy doesn’t reach underneath where any parts of the body mass is present, thus removing any chances of enabling the formation of cancer.

The short answer? No, laser skin treatments do not cause cancer and there are no risks of having any negative side-effect on the skin or anywhere else on the body after one, or several treatment sessions.

What is the laser treatment procedure?

While there are different laser treatments for skin and hair, you will find one thing common in all of them. The top-most layer of the skin is worked on by the lasers and the laser doesn’t go beneath the first layer of your skin. This is the primary reason it’s so safe.

For skin-care, light therapy is used to make products work better on your skin, whereas, when it comes to hair removal, laser therapy is used to burn the hair follicles at the root in order to stop the hair from growing further.

Laser skin treatments are vastly different from micro-needling procedures which requires painless pricks of small needles on the top-most layer of your skin during the treatment procedure.

• A systematic review showed that IPL is a safe and effective treatment for MGD
• Another systematic review showed that IPL helps to switch on Meibomian Glands
• American Academy of Ophthalmology shows evidence that IPL works to improve signs and symptoms
• IPL reduces symptoms better than near-infrared light in MGD
• IPL helps to reduce specific signs inflammation in MGD
• Effects can be predicted based on symptom scores before treatment
• IPL even helps for Allergic Conjunctivitis and Itchy Eyes

Which celebrities have had IPL?

Mandy Moore is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019:

Kyle Richards is an American actress, socialite and media personality. She starred in The Real Housewives.

The IPL procedure

Your optometrist will start with a comprehensive eye assessment to diagnose the severity of the meibomian gland dysfunction and determine your skin type.

The assessment tailors the treatment plan for your particular dry eyes.

Once your optometrist confirms that IPL is right for you, they will schedule a minimum of four sessions of IPL treatment over three months.

Single top up treatments may be done every six to twelve months.

Here’s how the IPL procedure works:

• You remove makeup and other skin products from the skin.
• Your eye doctor places IPL eye pads over the closed eyes and shields the eyes with protective goggles.
• Your eye doctor applies conductive gel beneath the eyelid area.
• You receives one full pass of the pulsed light with overlapping flashes that ensures even treatment of the eyelid area.
• The doctor applies more conductive gel before performing a second pass.
• After deeming the patient had enough IPL flashes, the doctor will then remove the gel.

Further treatment may be administered in conjunction with IPL as recommended by your optometrist, like meibomian gland expression.

In this procedure, the doctor squeezes out the contents of your meibomian glands by compressing the lower eyelids.

How fast does IPL work?

Most people notice a significant difference after the third treatment session.

Occaisonally, some people notice an improvement after the first treatment.

Although each person is different, around ninety percent of people notice a significant difference with IPL.

What are the side effects of IPL for Dry Eye?

Side effects are typically minor and temporary. These include

• Discomfort
• Redness on the treated skin area
• Tingling sensations
• Mild mucus discharge
• Slight inflammation which might be caused by glad expression rather than the IPL treatment itself
• Lightening of the skin for dark-skinned or tanned individuals

As stated, these side effects are relatively mild and somewhat rare. If any of these side effects persist, call your doctor.

IPL treatment restrictions

There are a few factors that may prevent you from getting IPL treatment.

• IPL is not advisable for pregnant women.
• IPL should be used with discretion if you have very dark skin (skin phototype VI). Darker skin pigment tends to absorb light.
• You can’t undergo the treatment if you have birthmarks, moles, keloid scarring or tattoo near your eyelid areas and if you have a recent fake tan.
• Conditions like xeroderma and lupus disease may also prevent you from undergoing IPL treatment.
• Taking collagen injections, certain medicines that increase photo-sensitivity, vitamin A, RetinA, or glycolic acid, doxycycline, ibuprofen, and aspirin can also affect your eligibility for IPL treatment.

How to prepare for IPL treatment

Before your scheduled IPL treatment session…

• Avoid too much sun exposure.
• Do not expose your skin to UV light and artificial tan (sprays, lotions, gels, etc.) before and in between your IPL sessions.
• Avoid swimming in strongly chlorinated water before your treatment
• Don’t use exfoliating or peeling products for a week before your appointment.
• Avoid intake of aspirin or ibuprofen for a week before your scheduled session. Inform your doctor if your taking medications beforehand.
• Remove all makeup and other skin products.
• Keep the area to be treated clean and dry.

IPL aftercare

After you undergo an IPL treatment session…

• Avoid too much sun exposure to reduce chances of dark and light spots formation on the treated area.
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on the treated area.
• Do not expose the treated area to UV light.
• Do not pick on the treated area.
• Avoid hot baths, showers or sauna for a week. Humid conditions can aggravate the treated area.
• Make sure you use moisturizer if applying make up after the treatment.

Your doctor might also advise supplements and dietary recommendations, natural remedies, lifestyle changes, and other best practices to ensure the health of your eyes and meibomian glands.

IPL Dry Eye Cost

Prior to your treatment, your doctor will discuss the likely number of treatments with you. Typically, this is around four treatments. Treatments are often spaced between two to four weeks apart.

Doctors often recommend a minimum of four treatments. Treatment costs vary, but are usually around a few hundred dollars per session.

Will your health insurance pay for any of the treatment? Although your visits are unlikely to be covered by your health insurance, it may be worth asking anyway. If they do, you might get to claim some reimbursement. Talk to your doctor or practice staff for more information.

Intense Pulsed Light Treatment FAQ

Here is a list of questions and answers you may need to take into consideration before deciding on IPL treatment.

Is intense pulsed light the same as laser?

IPL utilizes broader range wavelengths of intense light, unlike laser treatment that operates on a narrower, specific wavelength, making IPL safer and gentler than laser.

Does IPL for dry eyes hurt?

You may experience some redness and a little discomfort in the treated areas, but they are mild and will only last for a few minutes or hours after the session.

How much does IPL cost?

The cost of IPL treatment varies depending on the clinics and the equipment and technology they use. A treatment plan can cost $800 – $1000 for three or four sessions. Initial comprehensive eye assessment and additional procedures like meibomian gland expression may cost extra depending on the treatment plan you manage to procure.

Some dry eye sufferers spend just as much on eye drops and medicines alone. Investing in IPL treatment offers long-term results that can save you tons of money in the long run.

Is IPL for dry eye covered by insurance?

Insurance does not cover the cost of IPL, and the charge for each treatment session can vary depending on the optometrist and the equipment they use. It is best to consult with a few optometrists or get some trustworthy recommendations first before booking a session.

How often do I need to have IPL for dry eye?

Patients can expect visible improvement in their dry eye symptoms after the first series of IPL treatment. Your doctor might recommend occasional maintenance treatments.

Your optometrist may advise you to come back for an additional session of IPL treatment every three to six months, depending on how severe your dry eyes are and how your eyes will initially react to the procedure.

Will I still need drops if I finish a course of IPL?

You no longer need eye drops once you have finished a course of IPL treatment. If you feel like your symptoms are coming back, though it can be after a very long time, you can go for an extra session of IPL treatment.

Is IPL FDA approved for dry eye?

One IPL device manufacturer (Lumenis) received FDA approval for IPL in April 2021.

Conclusion- why should you consider IPL for Dry Eye?

• The intense pulsed light treatment deals with the root cause of dry eye disease.
• Unlike laser treatments, IPL is easy on the skin. You may even notice an improvement in the treated skin area after the sessions.
• IPL can also improve your vision (e.g. filmy, smeary, blurry vision) and provide eye comfort.
• The treatment is safe and ensures little to no discomfort during the procedure.
• Each session only takes around ten minutes.
• By dealing with the root cause of the disease, IPL reduces your dependency on eye drops and other pharmaceutical remedies.

Ipl eye treatment side effects

Are you tired of having irritated, dry eyes? Have you tried other dry eye treatments without any luck? Fortunately, some procedures can help relieve the symptoms associated with dry eye. 

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment is a treatment for dry eye that your optometrist can perform. It uses light therapy to target the root causes of dry eye, leaving you more comfortable and with less severe symptoms. 

Don’t let dry eye get you down! Keep reading to learn more about IPL dry eye treatment and how it can improve your dry eye symptoms.

WHAT IS IPL?

Intense Pulsed Light treatment (IPL) for dry eye utilizes pulses of light to release oil buildup in the meibomian glands in the eyelids. 

HOW DOES IPL TREAT DRY EYE?

IPL treats dry eye by removing blockages in the meibomian glands. This is important because blocked meibomian glands can lead to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which is the leading cause of dry eye. MGD is the cause of nearly 80% of dry eye cases. 

When the meibomian gland becomes blocked, the glands don’t produce enough oil for the tears, which causes the eyes to dry out. IPL stimulates and restores healthy gland function and can offer long-term treatment of chronic dry eye disease.

MGD & DRY EYE

Dry eye disease occurs when there is a long-term lack of moisture in the eye. If you suffer from MGD, your tears cannot produce the quality of tears needed to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable, and seeing well. 

This leads to evaporative dry eye, which is the most common form of dry eye. When your meibomian glands are blocked, it results in a lack of the lipid or mucous layer in your tears. Without these layers, your tears evaporate too quickly, causing dry eye disease. 

DRY EYE SYMPTOMS

Dry eye symptoms include: 

• Burning, aching or itchy eyes
• Fatigued eyes
• Eye redness
• Eye dryness 
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Feeling like something is in your eye 
• Blurred vision
• Mucus in or around the eyes
• Difficulty with vision, especially at night
• Abnormally watery eyes
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, book an appointment with your eye doctor to find relief today!

HOW IS IPL DIFFERENT? 

There are many treatment options available to treat dry eye. These include:

• Artificial tears
• Hot or cold compresses
• Eyelid scrubs 

Unfortunately, these treatments focus on temporarily relieving symptoms instead of treating the root cause of the patient’s dry eye. 

IPL dry eye therapy targets the root cause of evaporative dry eye, leaving you with more minor symptoms for a longer amount of time.

Although results differ for everyone, studies have shown that 93% of patients are satisfied with the outcome of IPL dry eye treatment and what it has done for their dry eye symptoms. 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN IPL TREATMENT

The IPL Process

The typical IPL process is as follows:

• First, your eye doctor will place protective shields over the eyes
• Your doctor will spread a thin layer of cooling gel underneath the eyes
• A small device is then used to deliver pulses of light to the area around the eyelids, which help release debris from the meibomian glands
• After the IPL light treatment is complete, your eye doctor may manually express oil from the glands

How Long Does IPL Last?

One session of IPL takes about 10 – 15 minutes. You can expect to require at least 3 treatment sessions, but your eye doctor may recommend more depending on the severity of your dry eye disease. 

You should experience relief within a few minutes of your first session, and results can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years, depending on your eyes. 

Your optometrist will most likely recommend maintenance sessions throughout your life to maintain long-term results. 

SIDE EFFECTS OF IPL TREATMENT

Like any other treatment, there are potential side effects associated with IPL. The side effects are generally mild and temporary, but you should contact your optometrist if symptoms last longer than a week or are severe. 

You may experience the following side effects after receiving the IPL treatment.

• Discomfort and redness
• A tingling sensation
• Eye discharge
• Swollen eyes