Photofacials

If you are concerned about how your complexion looks, we can offer you a skin examination to see if you you'll benefit from laser therapy. We use SopranoIce technology to provide photofacials, which can reduce age and sun spots, freckles, environmental damage, and more, as well as stimulate collagen production. Even though a photofacial is not an invasive procedure, it can be very effective and produce impressive results. Our specialists send intense wavelengths of light to the target area, which raises the temperature of the skin just enough to start the natural regeneration process and boost collagen production. In time, you should see improvements of the target area and a healthier skin layer with a more even tone and fewer sun or age spots.

Ideal candidates for Photofacials

Photorejuvenation works deep within the layers of your skin to correct many types of complexion problems, especially sun spots and brown lesions, with little or no recovery time. The best candidates for treatments may have many issues with their skin, including sun damage, rosacea, hyperpigmentation (brown spots), moderate wrinkles, rough texture, large pores, flushing, melasma, age and sun spots, or dilated capillaries (such as spider veins). Our staff will assess your skin to see if you are a candidate for an IPL photofacial during your private consultation.

Photofacial Procedure Technique

A photofacial is completed inside our office in about 20 – 30 minutes in one of our treatment rooms. To start the procedure, a technician will clean and dry the skin to be treated before covering your eyes with special shields. The photofacial is administered using a handheld device that passes over the skin while emitting pulses of laser energy. While most patients will feel some discomfort during photorejuvenation, it is generally tolerable for the fast treatment time.

What to expect from your Photofacial Treatment

There is no recovery time associated with photofacial treatments, but you will leave your appointment with your skin a little red and swollen. This will subside on its own in several hours — it can be concealed with makeup if you want. We suggest that patients apply an ointment to the treated skin to decrease irritation and speed healing. It also helps to take an anti-inflammatory medication to help decrease swelling. Over the next several days, the blemishes that rested under the skin will come to the surface and then begin to flake off. It's necessary to keep your skin protected from the sun at all times after a treatment and to not pick at the flaking skin. While you should see some results after the first session, your skin will attain the best results after several IPL sessions. We recommend approximately 3 – 6 treatments done around once a month.

Frequently Asked Questions for Photofacials

How much does it cost?

During your first consultation, we will estimate the number of treatments you'll need and discuss cost with you based on that. Because each patient needs different numbers of treatments for different numbers of areas, the cost varies with each case. Illuminate Med Spa may sometimes offer monthly specials and also accepts different payment types to help make your treatment affordable.

How quickly will I see my results?

Your best results will be seen about a month after your series of sessions is completed, though you can see some improvements after each treatment. Each patient is unique and responds uniquely to their sessions. You will see gradual improvements over time, depending on your specific body and the issues you had treated.

What are the possible side effects?

Mild side effects like redness, bruising, crusting, temporary swelling, or superficial blisters are possible with patients. Two to three days after your procedure, most of these issue should be resolved. Keep in mind that you should always wear sunscreen to protect your skin. You will not be sun sensitive after your treatment, but exposing your skin to the sun will affect the end results of your therapy by reintroducing damage to your skin.

Does it require any prep?

Our staff will likely ask you to avoid self-tanning and excessive sun exposure for about a month before your treatments begin. Retin-A/Renova, tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline should not be used for at least a week before each session. To help reduce or prevent bruising, we might ask you to take ibuprofen or aspirin for a week before your session. It is also very important to use sunscreen on your treated areas to protect them between sessions.

Do I really need multiple sessions?

Yes. To ensure there is no risk to your health and safety, and to ensure natural-looking results, you do need to undergo a full series of sessions. Longer-lasting results are also achieved with more sessions.