Photofacial/IPL

Photofacial IPL Laser Treatments

How do Photofacial IPL Laser treatments help aged and sun-damaged skin?

The Alma Harmony system uses gentle light to restore skin to a more youthful state. Brown spots on the face (pigmented imperfections) from sun damage and aging, redness from capillaries or rosacea, and uneven skin color or tone will improve over a series of treatments. The pulsed light energy is absorbed into precise targeted areas of the skin without damaging healthy skin. The IPL treatment closes off blood vessels by selectively heating them, reducing these skin spots and vascular lesions while sparing the surrounding skin and tissue from injury. With age spots and pigmented lesions, the light energy heats the melanin in the lesion and causes it to break apart. These fragments are then absorbed by the body and eliminated.

Are Photofacial treatments safe? What are the side effects?

Adding Photogacial treatments to your anti-aging skin treatment regimen is very safe. There are many advances in the Harmony technology that make it safe for the skin without compromising effectiveness for treating dark spots and skin imperfections associated with age and sun damage. There are no long-term health hazards from the light used in Photofacial treatments. It has been used for decades in medicine, surgery, and aesthetics without adverse effects.

What kind of results can I expect from Photofacial treatments?

Each Photofacial treatment will result in gradual lightening and improvement of pigmented age spots, capillaries, rosacea and other vascular imperfections on the face and body. Patients have also reported an improvement of skin texture toward the end of their series of treatments.

How frequently do I need treatments?

Treatments are repeated every month for a total of 3-5 treatments. We perform at least 2 full passes over the skin area being treated for spots and blemishes. We cool the patient’s skin constantly during the treatment, and monitor the skin temperature to ensure safety and comfort. For most patients approximately 3 treatments are needed to achieve good results, but more severe or stubborn skin conditions may need additional sessions to improve. Some patients find it easier to maintain their results with an annual maintenance treatment, especially individuals who suffer from chronic skin conditions like rosacea and severe sun damage.

Does the treatment hurt?

The sensation is often described as a “hot pinch” or “snapping” feeling that only lasts for a fraction of a second. Patients may feel heat or a tingling sensation for a short time afterward on the area of skin treated by the Photofacial. To make our patients as comfortable as possible, we apply numbing cream for 30 minutes prior to the treatment and use a cooling device to help numb the skin during the treatment by blowing very cold air over the skin. There is a bright flash of light with each pulse, which may be surprising, so we cover your eyes during the treatment.

What can I expect after each treatment?

Temporary pinkness of the treated skin is normal and will only last for a short time. Most patients can return to their normal activities and work immediately after the Photofacial treatment. Darkly pigmented skin spots and lesions will usually become darker after the treatment and then gradually come to the surface of the skin where it will flake off. This process takes about a week on the face, and 2 weeks or longer on the body. Lighter pigmented lesions and vascular or red lesions will fade gradually over 4-6 weeks. If the skin area you’ve treated suffered from many pigment spots or severe sun damage, you may feel some heat sensation on the treated area (similar to a sunburn) after the treatment for up to a few hours. You may resume all your normal skin care products and makeup use immediately after your treatment.

Are there any special instructions to follow around the time of my treatments?

Protecting yourself from sun exposure before and after your Photofacial treatment is very important and should be a priority. Wear an SPF of 30 or higher daily on the treatment area and avoid sun exposure. Acquiring a suntan before your procedure will make it unsafe to proceed with the Photofacial treatment because it increases the risk of burning your skin. After your Photofacial treatment your skin is more prone to sunburn and must be protected. The ideal time to schedule your Photofacial is during fall and winter months, when your skin is at its lightest color for the year. If you cannot avoid significant sun exposure, you may not be a good candidate for Photofacial treatments.

Who should get Harmony treatment for Skin Rejuvenation?

Anyone who wants to improve the signs of sun damage and aging in their skin, such as dark brown spots, capillaries, blemishes, or uneven skin tone benefit from Harmony skin rejuvenation / Photofacial. Treatments can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and most other parts of the body.

For more information, please contact (817) 310-6624