IPL skin treatment therapy utilizes intense pulsed light to treat an array of skin-related issues.
IP skin treatment in San Jose may be performed for various skin issues.Whether this treatment is ideal is dependent on the patient’s cosmetic goals and their unique skin issues and health.
Why It’s Done
The following are reasons why someone might consider IPL:
- Age spots
- Freckles
- Varicose veins
- Rosacea
- Sun damage
- Birthmarks
- Facial broken blood vessels
- Unwanted hair removal
Those considering this therapy should consult with an experienced professional. They will be able to examine the patient’s skin and their cosmetic complaints. This helps patients to determine if IPL is the best choice to aid them in meeting their cosmetic goals.
Preparation
It is important to prepare prior to having IPL skin treatment in San Jose. The first step is discussing reasonable expectations with the professional who will perform the treatment. This ensures that the patient’s goals are in line with the capabilities of IPL treatment. Patients should tell their practitioner about any skin conditions. Some conditions may affect the skin’s healing ability following treatment, such as eczema or inflammatory acne.
Patients may be told to avoid certain things before IPL. How long avoidance needs to last will be discussed with the patient. Things to avoid may include:
- Tanning beds
- Collagen injections
- Chemical peels
- Vitamin A products
- Direct sunlight exposure
- Waxing for hair removal
- Blood thinning drugs
Procedure
Patients should expect a session to start with the skin being cleaned. This is reserved for the area being treated. Once it is fully cleansed, application of a cooling gel is a common second step. The practitioner then gets started with the treatment using the IPL device. Some stinging is possible as the device delivers its pulses. Most report that while this may be a nuisance, it is a tolerable discomfort.
On average, 20 to 30 minutes is the standard time for each session. Up to six sessions might be needed to get the discussed results. For hair removal, up to 12 sessions might be needed.
Risks and Recovery
Knowing what to expect following IPL skin treatment in San Jose is imperative. For the most part, patients can resume regular activity following an IPL session. The treated area may have some sensitivity, swelling and redness, similar to what happens when the skin has a sunburn. This can continue for a couple of days. It is often suggested to not use any hot water until it is determined that the skin has fully healed from IPL.
In addition to the common risks that patients should know, there are a few others to be informed about. Patients should call their practitioner if the following develop:
- Blistering
- Skin color changes
- Bruising
- Infection
Patients should make sure to understand the possibilities and limits of IPL skin treatment in San Jose before agreeing to have it done. It is also important to receive the therapy from an experienced professional.
