How Photofacials Can Help Aging Skin

When you look in the mirror, do small brown spots on the skin seem to stand out to you? These spots are often an indicator that you have spent too much time in the sun over the years. They are a clear sign of premature aging on sensitive skin areas such as the face and hands. Brown spots on the skin are a symptom of sun damage and are quite common.   Rest assured that there is a treatment for this common condition. Photofacials can improve skin tone and make your skin appear more youthful.  

What Is a Photofacial Treatment?

  An IPL face treatment is a pretty straightforward procedure that does not involve surgery to treat the brown spots that you notice popping up on your face. It is designed to target discoloration and reduce its appearance, giving you younger-looking skin with a brighter or clearer complexion.   In addition to improving skin tone and complexion, photofacials can be used to treat vascular marks like spider veins.   Most people will schedule several sessions, with each one lasting approximately 15 minutes. This makes it easy to work a photofacial treatment into your busy schedule. You can return to work after the appointment or call it an early afternoon before heading home. No downtime is required following your photofacial.   At Meridian Medical Spa, we utilize the Venus Versa photofacial treatment to give you the best results. This IPL face treatment has an impact on key signs of premature aging, including: 

• Sun damage or brown spots
• Visible veins
• Other types of discoloration on the skin

It corrects these issues at their source without causing damage to the surrounding skin. This makes it great for protecting the healthy skin surrounding some of these problem areas.  

How Do Photofacials Work? 

  When you set up an appointment for a Venus Versa photofacial, you will be taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology. This treatment utilizes Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with SmartPulse technology to deliver light through the skin.    It reaches through several layers of your skin to correct targeted tissue and imperfections at the source without causing damage to surrounding areas. The Venus Versa IPL face treatment even incorporates a cooling system to protect skin and keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.  

Who Is a Good Candidate for IPL Face Treatments? 

  Once you know how safe and effective photofacials are, you might be wondering whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. Most people can benefit from this type of treatment, but it is most effective for someone with an uneven complexion.   Discoloration or visible veins are often telltale signs that you will be the ideal patient for this type of treatment. It can also improve fine lines that pop up on the face with aging.   Keep in mind that this treatment tends to work best for light or medium skin tones. Darker skin may not benefit as much from this procedure.  

Preparing for Photofacials

  Prepping the skin for your upcoming treatment is essential to a successful outcome. The most important thing to do is ensure that skin is completely clean before heading into the office. In advance of your appointment, you should not use any of the following items: 

• Lotions
• Creams
• Makeup
• Other products that cause skin irritation

Tanning and self-tanners should be avoided for two weeks before your session, as well. Some individuals will be asked to shave the treatment area before their IPL face treatment can be administered.   It is also important to remove jewelry in the treatment area.  

Creating a Custom Treatment Plan

  Photofacials are not just a one-and-done treatment for most. Many patients attend four to five sessions per area. Our treatment provider will work with you and monitor your progress to determine how many sessions you may need. The number of required treatments varies from person to person.   This is a procedure that takes place over a long period. Each IPL face treatment is administered three weeks apart. The results can last for quite some time if you are careful not to cause further damage to the skin. Protect your face from the harsh rays of the sun to prolong the period between your sessions.   Even if you respond favorably to treatment, you may still need some touch-up sessions. It is recommended to come back for a follow-up session every three to six months, depending on your response to treatment.  

What to Do After Photofacial Treatment

  Fortunately, photofacials are great options if you are concerned about downtime. After the treatment, you can immediately resume your normal activities (with a few caveats).

What to Avoid

  Tanning should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks post-treatment. If you must be exposed to the sun, make sure to wear high-quality sunscreen to protect the effects of your treatment.    You should also avoid additional treatments that come directly in contact with the affected area, such as massages or other types of facials. Wait at least two days before scheduling any other services.    After your session, you can put makeup on directly following treatment. Make sure to bring sunscreen to put on as a base before applying makeup to the skin.  

Contact the Professionals

  If an IPL face treatment sounds like an excellent fit for you and your aging skin, you need to contact Meridian Medical Spa today. Our main office is located in Bonita Springs, FL, but we also service Naples, Ft. Meyers, and the surrounding area. Our team of experienced professionals is ready and willing to help you achieve more youthful skin!