Whether we want to admit it or not, aging happens. While it’s already a natural process, there are certain factors that can speed up the process (much to our dismay!). These factors include genetics, lifestyle choices, and stress. Another major factor that leads to early aging? Spending too much time out in the sun.
The sun may provide valuable vitamin D, but too much unprotected sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, freckles and sun spots. These spots can show up as early as your 20s, and they can easily add years to your appearance. Thankfully, there’s a solution. At Clarity Medical Aesthetics, we offer Intense Pulse Light (IPL), and it’s still the gold standard for treating skin discoloration.
Treating Rosacea, Hyperpigmentation, and Generalized Redness
IPL is commonly used for treating the skin discoloration caused by sun damage, but that’s not all it can do! It can also be used to treat rosacea, hyperpigmentation, reduce pore size and generalized redness.
How does it do this, exactly? Our Quanta IPL device is the most advanced system of its kind and uses a series of high-intensity pulses of broad spectrum light. The light then penetrates below the surface of the skin (the epidermis) in order to reach the discoloration. The heat generated by the light goes to work breaking down unwanted pigments, which then either rise to the surface of the skin (and naturally slough off) or get carried away by your body’s lymphatic system.
IPL is Not Laser
IPL is NOT a laser treatment. The major difference between the two is that lasers use a single direct beam of energy or wavelength. IPL, on the other hand, uses a broad spectrum, which we then specifically filter. This enables us to treat a wider surface area on the skin.
Another difference between lasers and IPL is that lasers deliver a straight, focused beam of light. In contrast, the light from IPL is more spread out. This means that this treatment is gentler than a laser, and much less invasive.
Magically Erase Brown Spots in 1-3 Treatments
There are several treatments available that are aimed at helping you to deal with skin discoloration. These treatments include products you can buy over the counter as well as professional treatments (peels, microneedling, etc.). These treatments may yield some easing of discoloration, but, more often than not, they just can’t reach the root of the problem. No matter how many times you use these products or treatments, there’s still just some stubborn discoloration left. That can be rather frustrating.
IPL is an extremely effective treatment that can magically erase your brown spots in as little as 1 to 3 treatments. The light applied to the surface of your skin penetrates deep and is able to reach where the discoloration lives. Once there, the heat generated by the light destroys the unwanted pigments, leaving them for your body to dispose of. In the course 7-14 days, you watch your discoloration magically disappear. If multiple treatments are needed, they are usually spaced out approximately every 4 weeks.
IPL is Easily Tolerated with Minimal Downtime
Because IPL is less intense than laser treatment, and therefore gentler on your skin, it is much more easily tolerated. Some patients do experience minor discomfort during the procedure, particularly the very first one. Many describe it like rubber bands snapping on the skin.
And the best part? IPL has minimal downtime! In fact, you can pretty much go right back to your normal activities after your treatment is complete. You may notice some redness and darkening of the brown sun spots on your skin following treatment. This can usually be covered up with makeup. You may also experience some minor swelling. The redness and swelling will subside within a day or two. The darkened spots will gradually fade over the course of 7-14 days until they simply slough off. You will start to see visible improvement in the evenness of your skin tone.
While there may be many treatments touted to remove redness and brown spots from your skin, the use of light is the gold standard—but not all light is a laser! IPL is a specialized treatment that targets red and brown pigments. For more information, and to schedule your free consultation, contact Clarity Medical Aesthetics today!
