IPL Fotofacial in San Clemente / Orange County

levulan treatment is also effective at treating the white bumps under the skin called sebaceous hyperplasia and acne Vulgaris.

1. What conditions can be treated?
IPL is a fast, convenient and virtually painless solution for treating sun damage and more. Both men and women of all ages may benefit, especially those with brown blemishes or redness. The results are often dramatic. Some of the conditions that may be treated with IPL Photorejuvenation include: sun damage, enlarged pores, discoloration, age spots, liver spots, freckles, dull complexion, redness flushing or broken blood vessels, Rosacea, mild fine wrinkles and scarring.
After a series of treatments, the skin often appears smoother, more uniformly pigmented and revitalized. Additionally, some patients report a decrease in pore size and very fine wrinkles after multiple treatment sessions.

2. What areas can be treated with IPL?
The face, chest, neck, upper back, forearms and hands are the most commonly treated areas.

3. Who is NOT a good candidate for IPL?
Individuals with a tan or very dark skin are often not the best candidates for IPL. Tell Dr. Roham if you are using Accutane because patients taking Accutane should defer treatment until 6 months or longer after completion of Accutane therapy. Pregnant women should not undergo IPL treatment. IPL Photorejuvenation is not effective for treatment of deeper wrinkles and prominent skin sagging. These are best treated with other techniques. Dr. Roham will discuss this with you during your consultation.

4. How does IPL Photorejuvenation work?
The IPL device delivers controlled intense pulses of broad spectrum light to the skin. These wavelengths are customized to suit the needs of your individual skin type. The light emitted targets brown and red colors as well as deeper collagen tissue within the skin. By so doing, IPL diminishes brown pigmentation and redness while stimulating the formation of collagen in the skin. The end result is smoother, more uniformly pigmented and revitalized skin.

5. How is IPL performed?
Dr. Roham will apply a cooling gel to the area to be treated. Then, the surface of the IPL hand piece is applied to the skin and very brief pulses of intense light are emitted. A series of pulses is done until the entire desired area is treated.

6. How long does an IPL session take?
Generally, a full face takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Larger areas require a longer time, while smaller areas, such as the hands, require less time.

7. What does IPL feel like?
Patients often describe a slight stinging sensation like the snapping of a rubber band in the treated areas. Most individuals find this to be minimally uncomfortable. Although seldom required, a numbing cream is available

8. How many IPL treatments will I need?
Depending on the nature of the condition, and the severity of the problem, a series of 3-5 treatments is usually recommended. This allows for gradual improvement with very low risk to the skin, and little downtime. Although partial results may be seen sooner, performing a full series of 5-6 treatments will help to maximize improvement in skin color, texture and pore size. Treatments are usually spaced 4 weeks apart, and can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area to be treated.

9. Where does Microdermabrasion fit in?
Microdermabrasion is a wonderful adjunct that is often used in conjunction with IPL therapy. Between IPL treatment sessions, we recommend Microdermabrasion to improve surface irregularities in the skin and to promote clearing of skin discolorations.

10. What will I look like immediately after IPL treatment?
IPL treatments are designed to provide little down time. Your face may appear red or flushed something which usually fades within a few hours. Individuals with prominent pigmentation may notice that brown areas become temporarily darker after IPL treatment. This darkness takes on a "dirty look" until it flakes off in 7-10 days. Makeup may be applied immediately after your treatment so you can return to work right away. By performing Microdermabrasion between IPL sessions, recovery may be enhanced and results may be improved.

11. How do I care for my skin after the treatment?
Following treatment, ice may be applied to the treated area if desired. Medications containing ASA or other anti-inflammatory agents (Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.) should be avoided for a couple of days before and after IPL treatment. Strenuous exercise and contact sports should be avoided for a few days, and alcohol intake should be limited. This will help to reduce the risk of trauma and bruising. Sun tanning and tanning beds should be avoided for 1 month before and after each IPL session. A broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher should be used on daily basis.

12. Are there any side effects?
IPL is a remarkably safe procedure which has been refined over a period of several years. There are rarely any permanent problems. Occasionally some skin lightening (hypo pigmentation) or darkening (hyper pigmentation) can occur. Normal skin color generally returns within 3 months, although one may rarely see permanent color change. Scarring may occur in less than 1% of cases. Rarely, some individuals develop bruising. Although uncommon, this sometimes occurs in individuals with a very prominent red component. This is painless and typically fades in about 5-10 days. Any bruising may be covered with makeup. Individuals with prominent brown or red color may develop slight temporary swelling for a few days, especially if being treated around the eyes.