Human skin is prone to issues with pigmentation. From age spots to rosacea, hyperpigmentation to blotchy areas, few of us have consistent, even-toned skin without blemishes.
At Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics, under the direction of Dr. Jack Bertolino, a board-certified family physician, we utilize Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy to get rid of these spots and pigmentation problems. This advanced skin care treatment improves skin tone and texture and promotes overall radiance.
What Is Intense Pulse Light?
Intense Pulsed Light is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that uses high-intensity pulses of broad-spectrum light to address various skin concerns. IPL delivers multiple wavelengths, allowing it to target a range of issues simultaneously.
How Does The IPL Treatment Help My Skin?
There are two ways IPL benefits your skin.
First, it penetrates the epidermis layer of the skin (the outer layer) and gently heats the dermis, the skin’s second layer. When the body senses this heating in the dermis, it responds as if it has been wounded by producing new amounts of collagen and sending it to the “wounded” area. Since collagen provides the skin’s underlying support structure, this firms your skin and reduces lines and wrinkles.
The second IPL benefit addresses your pigmentation problems, such as age spots and wrinkles. The darker cells absorb the IPL energy and the melanin pigment fragments. The body then absorbs the pigment cells, and the spots become less and less visible. With veins, the energy is absorbed by the dark blood, heating the vein. This heating causes the vein wall to collapse and close off the vein. The body then scavenges the vein, and it completely disappears.
Candidates For IPL Treatments
These treatments work best when there is a good amount of contrast between the patient’s skin color and the color of the unwanted areas of pigmentation. People with white, untanned skin with good elasticity are good candidates for IPL treatments. That’s because the light energy can be fully absorbed by the melanin in the darker spots without being absorbed on tanned but clear areas of the skin.
It is important to note that IPL doesn’t provide instant results. These are completely non-invasive, easy-to-tolerate procedures whose results build with repeated treatments.
People who are not candidates for IPL at Smooth Solutions are pregnant women, those with an active skin condition, or those taking certain drugs such as Accutane. If you have tanned or darker skin, these aren’t good treatments, as the light energy can cause pigmentation changes.
What Concerns Can Be Treated With IPL?
At Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics, we use IPL to treat these pigmentation problems with our patients’ skin:
- Age spots/liver spots
- Areas of discoloration
- Blotchy skin
- Rosacea
- Dark spots from hormonal changes
- Broken blood vessels
- Birthmarks
- Acne scarring
IPL also improves the fine line, wrinkles, and acne scarring. It is also effective for removing spider veins.
The IPL Procedure
Two things are done before we begin your IPL treatment.
First, we give you protective eyewear to protect your eyes from the bright light, and we apply a cool gel to the treatment area to act as a lubricant for the IPL handpiece and to cool your surface skin.
Next, we direct the IPL to your target areas. This is delivered in very short pulses of intense light. At each pulse, you’ll feel a sensation akin to the snapping of a small rubber band on your skin. The number of pulses you receive will depend on the size of the area being treated.
What Should I Expect After My IPL Treatment?
These treatments with our Smooth Solutions patients are well-tolerated and non-invasive. After your sessions, your skin may be slightly pink or red. You may also have some mild swelling in the treatment areas. These effects usually resolve within a few hours or up to a day.
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun, however, so you’ll need to be sure to avoid sun exposure for several days and diligently use sunscreen for at least two weeks. Of course, sun damage is what caused your pigmentation problems to begin with, so protecting your skin will help keep your skin looking great moving forward.
Are IPL Treatments Painful?
When the IPL energy is delivered onto the skin, the sensation ranges from a feeling of warmth to something like the slight sting of a rubber band being snapped lightly on your skin. Our patients do not equate our IPL treatments with “pain.” Obviously, some areas, such as the forehead, can be more sensitive than others.
When Will I See the Results of My IPL Treatments?
It will take a few days to start to see your results.
After your treatments, your targeted age spots and areas of darker skin will actually become darker. This can be disconcerting, but it is actually a good sign. The darker skin cells have absorbed the IPL energy and are beginning the process of dying and being shed by the body. They will be replaced by new skin cells, and the darker cells will be gone. This will erase or dramatically reduce the appearance of these areas.
As for the effects of increased collagen production, those are ongoing improvements that will start a week or so after your session and will continue for weeks.
How Long Will My Results Last After My IPL Treatments?
These improvements in your age spots, rosacea, and other pigmentation problems are permanent. The broken blood vessels are also gone for good.
How your results endure or evolve depends on you and the sun. Sun exposure has caused most of these issues, and it will again if you don’t protect your skin. If you’re getting a lot of sun exposure and don’t adequately protect yourself with SPF 30 sunscreen, your sun spots, age spots, and broken capillaries will develop again. However, if you take good care of your skin and protect it from the sun, your skin will continue to look good for the long term.
Risks Of IPL Treatments
One of the reasons our Smooth Solutions patients love our IPL treatments is that they are very low-risk treatments. Short-term potential side effects after an IPL session include minor possible swelling, redness, and increased visibility of small capillaries. These are temporary issues, usually resolving in just a few hours. There is a slight chance of hyperpigmentation, but the expertise of our team ensures that risk is incredibly low.
How Does IPL Therapy Differ From Laser Treatments?
IPL therapy and laser treatments both use light energy to address skin concerns. They differ in their mechanisms, applications, and versatility:
- Light Source: IPL therapy emits a broad spectrum of light wavelengths to target various skin concerns at once. Laser treatments use a single, focused wavelength of light to address specific targets.
- Treatment Applications: IPL therapy is ideal for treating surface-level skin concerns. Laser treatments are more effective for deeper or more specific skin concerns, including:
- Deep wrinkles
- Severe acne scars
- Tattoo removal
- Vascular lesions
- Skin resurfacing
- Precision: IPL therapy offers a broader treatment area in a single session. This can be more time-efficient but less precise. Laser treatments are very precise. They are ideal for targeting small or specific areas without affecting surrounding tissues.
- Treatment Experience: IPL therapy is usually less intense. It comes with a shorter recovery period and minimal discomfort. Laser treatments may involve more discomfort and a longer downtime.
How Many IPL Sessions Do I Need to See Optimal Results?
The number of IPL sessions required to see optimal results depends on:
- The specific skin concern
- Individual skin type
- The treatment area
At Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics, we recommend an initial series of 6-8 IPL treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart. From there, most patients opt for IPL treatments every 6 or 12 months as maintenance to continue the renewed collagen production.
People usually notice gradual improvements after their first or second session. Optimal results generally appear after completing the full treatment series.
Can I Combine IPL Therapy With Other Skin Treatments for Enhanced Results?
Yes, you can combine IPL therapy with other skin treatments. Common combinations include:
- Chemical Peels: Combining IPL with chemical peels can improve skin texture and tone. IPL targets pigmentation and redness. Chemical peels exfoliate the skin, promoting cellular turnover.
- Microneedling: Used together, IPL reduces discoloration, and microneedling stimulates collagen production. This combination addresses fine lines, acne scars, and skin rejuvenation.
- Injectables: IPL enhances skin clarity. Injectables like dermal fillers smooth lines and restore volume for a youthful appearance.
Do You Offer Financing Options for IPL Therapy?
Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics provides flexible financing options to make IPL therapy accessible. We offer three choices:
- Cherry: Cherry provides quick approval and flexible payment plans with no hidden fees. It’s easy to break treatment costs into manageable installments.
- CareCredit: CareCredit is a trusted healthcare financing option. It offers special financing terms, including interest-free options if paid within the promotional period. This gives patients more control over their budget.
- The Best Medical Business Solutions: This option caters to aesthetic services. It offers tailored financing plans to fit your needs.
Why Choose Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics?
Smooth Solutions Medical Aesthetics is the go-to spot for IPL therapy in Buffalo, New York. Since 2006, Smooth Solutions has offered unmatched results. Led by board-certified family physician Dr. Jack Bertolino, the practice combines almost two decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology to reduce the effects of aging.
Dr. Bertolino and his professional staff provide precise and tailored treatments. They work hard to help each client achieve their unique skin goals. The practice has earned dozens of five-star reviews, reflecting the team’s commitment to superior service.
Schedule a Consultation
Smooth Solutions can address your skin care needs. For more information about Intense Pulsed Light treatment in Buffalo, NY, give us a call at 716-633-6100 or fill out our contact form here.
