Fight the Signs of Aging with FotoFacial/IPL Treatments

Individuals struggling to conceal the signs of aging in the St. Louis, Missouri area or in other communities around the nation often feel self-conscious or embarrassed by the wrinkles, fine lines or age spots that begin to appear. The appearance of these blemishes may mark the first time that some individuals begin to feel older and fighting them is often important to many. Fortunately, thanks to modern science and technology, treatment exists to help patients overcome these conditions safely and effectively. There are several treatments designed to fight these signs of aging such as microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, dermal fillers and chemical peels, but one of the newer, non-ablative options is intense pulsed light.

FotoFacial/IPL treatments do not damage the skin's surface, instead focusing on the deeper layers of the skin. This differs from many other treatment options including dermabrasion and laser resurfacing, among others. There is virtually no recovery time associated with this procedure as a result. What's more, only about 30 to 45 minutes are required to perform these procedures and patients are usually allowed to apply makeup before returning to work or other activities. One of the other advantages of this procedure is that there is relatively little pain unlike other procedures which may require the use of a topical anesthetic to provide for patient comfort. Also, a larger area may be treated at one time than when laser treatment is used.

FotoFacial/IPL treatments also have disadvantages, however, of which patients should be aware before starting treatment. Because there is little damage to the surface of the skin, it may take several treatments to reach the desired effect. Four to six treatments, spaced about three weeks, may be needed for optimal results. There are also side effects associated with this treatment including increased or decreased pigment in the treated area, as well as transient redness. Patients are often encouraged to minimize exposure to the sun to help reduce side effects.

The procedure utilizes an intense pulse light hand piece to deliver the high-intensity pulses of broadband light, which differs from the narrowband light used in laser treatments. As mentioned, the intense pulsed light is delivered to the deeper layers (dermis), while leaving the superficial part of the skin (epidermis) unharmed. Depending on the goals of the treatment, there are different types of intense pulse light available. For instance, the PhotoDerm VL targets vascular lesions (spider veins, vascular birthmarks), while the PhotoDerm PL targets pigmented lesions (melasma, age spots). The PhotoDerm HR targets hair. As an added bonus, the thermal effect of the intense pulsed light helps to stimulate the production of new collagen in the skin for tighter looking skin and the reduction of the appearance of wrinkles.

Each session of intense pulse light treatment typically costs around $350 to $600 depending on the size of the treatment and the part of the body being treated. It is important to consult a trained St. Louis professional to determine the approximate number of treatments necessary as well as the price per session.

Learn more about FotoFacial/IPL treatments in St. Louis, Missouri.