Addressing skin issues such as infamous wrinkles and fine lines does not always equate to having younger-looking and healthy skin. Some procedures and injections are also drastic, which can cause worse problems. Several patients back out after knowing the downtime of their chosen procedures, but this does not have to happen all the time because there are subtle and effective skin regimens, especially for beginners. If you aim for more radiant, younger, and smoother skin, you might want to consider trying photorejuvenation!
Are you tired of injections? This blog post is your right spot.
What is photorejuvenation?
Photorejuvenation or photofacial treatment helps reduce signs of premature aging, like brown spots, discoloration, sun damage, and visible veins. The treatment is non-invasive, quick, and uses high-intensity pulses of light to successfully address photoaging at a cellular level and skin discoloration.
Photorejuvenation has been proven and tested to treat rosacea, acne, and hyperpigmentation. The treatment is also effective for all areas of the face and can target specific areas of damage anywhere in the body.
What are the kinds of photorejuvenation?
Under photorejuvenation treatment, you can choose between two kinds which are the IPL (Intense-pulsed light treatments) and LED (Light-emitting diode treatment). These are two types of broadband light used in the process. To know what is suitable for you, let us differentiate the following:
- Intense-pulsed light treatment: Our red blood cells immediately absorb the power of IPL, which purposely damages the targeted areas because IPL is a potent broad-spectrum light emitting high-intensity pulses of light energy deep into the epidermis, which causes collagen fibers and blood vessels to tighten without damaging the epidermis.
IPL is also excellent in improving skin discoloration issues like pigmented skin scars or spots, fine lines, stretch marks, dark hair, pigmented vascular lesions, and wrinkles. And since IPL uses a wide range of wavelengths, experts commonly utilize IPL to treat patients with multiple skin discoloration issues in large areas of the body like the back, chest, arms, and face.
Some of the best medical spas use Venus Versa IPL with SmartPulse technology which penetrates through several layers of the skin. As the targeted areas absorb the light from IPL, it corrects imperfections without damaging the skin’s surrounding tissues. The Venus Versa IPL also has a real-time cooling system to keep your skin secured throughout the procedure.
- Light-emitting diode treatment: On the other hand, LED uses various wavelengths and colors depending on what skin issue is being addressed. For example, red light encourages collagen production to treat wrinkles and fine lines, and blue light kills bacteria for acne treatment.
LED green light is the same as IPL because it destroys pigmentation for easier light absorption. Because of this, it efficiently decreases brown spot appearance and more melanin-related issues.
What does photorejuvenation do?
Aside from the specific benefits mentioned for each type of photorejuvenation, the procedure generally has countless benefits. One of its excellent benefits is that it does not use chemicals and needles. You can also personalize the process so you can achieve your desired individual cosmetic goals. Aside from these, you can also indulge in the following advantages:
- Shrinking pore size
- Relieving rosacea
- Enhancing fine lines and wrinkles
- Eliminating the appearance of freckles and sunspots
- Fading areas with hyperpigmentation
- Improving radiance and brightness
- Providing smoother skin texture
- Giving a more even tone
- Enhancing the appearance of broken blood vessels.
What are the possible risks after photorejuvenation treatment?
You can enjoy all of the mentioned benefits earlier, but you must also watch out for the possible side effects of the treatment, such as scarring, bleeding, blistering, and darkening of the skin. All of these will eventually fade, but you must get an initial consultation to minimize the risks to assess your health history.
Additionally, photorejuvenation is generally safe. However, it is advisable not to get IPL if you are pregnant, have a skin condition, have very dark skin, are sensitive to light, are taking medications for other conditions, are using a retinoid cream, and have recently tanned your skin using tanning creams or tanning beds, or the sunlight.
However, you are a good candidate for photorejuvenation if you have an uneven complexion with signs of visible veins on the skin or discoloration. This treatment might also work in improving the appearance of fine lines.
What is the process for photorejuvenation?
Before the session: You have to prepare for your photorejuvenation procedure so the process will go smoothly. At least a month before the procedure, you should avoid tanning beds and sun exposure, especially if you choose IPL treatment, because you might catch issues with the light’s potential to target brown pigmentation.
Moreover, ensure that you have clean skin – without creams, lotions, and make-up before the session. You must also stop using products that can irritate your skin two or three days prior. You might also be advised to shave the treatment area and remove all jewelry surrounding it.
During the session: In the treatment area, you must wear protective eye shields that apply a cold gel to your face. After this, your provider will gradually scan the IPL handpiece through the treated sites. The session will not take too long because it typically lasts 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the areas being treated.
In IPL treatments, you might feel a light flick or snap on your skin’s surface. Generally, the procedure is not painful because the applicator has a built-in cooling feature that will make the treatment as comfortable as possible. However, you may feel discomfort in more sensitive areas like the upper lip.
After the procedure: Your provider will wipe away the remaining gel. Your skin may feel warm like sunburn as it remains red for a few hours. There is no downtime, and you can quickly return to your daily routine. You can also immediately and safely apply make-up after the procedure but ensure to put on sunscreen first.
The number of treatments will depend on each individual, but most patients get four to five sessions per area within three weeks. The longevity of results depends on your skin’s reaction afterward and how you take care of it. However, it is recommended to have one touch-up treatment every three to six months.
Furthermore, to maximize your safety after the treatment, you must avoid tanning for at least two weeks and apply sunscreen. It would be best to prevent hot massages, hot baths, and any procedures that need direct contact with the skin for the first 48 hours after your treatment.
If you are ready to try photorejuvenation for yourself, Meridian Medical Spa is all ears in listening to your concerns and improving your self-confidence.
Located in Florida, USA, you can contact them and start the best quality photorejuvenation service ever!