Austin Intense Pulsed Light (Photofacial)

What is an Austin Intense Pulsed Light treatment?

An Intense Pulsed Light treatment or photofacial at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute is a series of light based treatments to rejuvenate the skin resulting in a more youthful appearance. An Austin photofacial improves the appearance of Rosacea, sun damaged and aged skin, age spots, as well as reduces redness and flushing. It utilizes light to restore your skin gradually and naturally.

What conditions does the photofacial treat?

A photofacial treats redness, brown spots, acne scars, age spots, dark circles around the eyes, sun-induced freckles on the hands, chest, and face, and broken capillaries around the nose. IPL treatments also help patients with photo-aging of the skin and pigmentation from sun exposure known as age spots. Many women especially are delighted to get rid of the "V-neck" effect of sun-damage that has accumulated in these areas from years of sun exposure.

What areas of the body can be treated with an Intense Pulsed Light?

The IPL can be used on the face, chest, neck, hands, legs, back and arms with wonderful results.

What results can I expect from a photofacial?

The IPL has been shown to result in smoother skin with visible improvement in irregular pigmentation. Flushing, redness and symptoms of Rosacea have shown dramatic improvement.

Can I accomplish the same results with chemical peels or microdermabrasion?

No, although photofacials are often used in alternate sessions with certain types of chemical peels, facials and microdermabrasions, which has been shown to enhance the benefit of this procedure by reducing the dilated capillaries and redness that a chemical peel/ microdermabrasion is unable to help.

How long does a treatment take?

Each treatment takes about one hour (full face). Other areas may vary.

How does the treatment work?

With the use of advanced fluorescent light, a series of gentle pulses is administered over the entire treated area at intervals of approximately three weeks for a series of five treatments. This special light, which is different than laser treatments, emits light over multiple wavelengths allowing the light to penetrate to all the levels of the skin where the specific defects can be detected. Lasers produce only a single wavelength of light and are limited in depth of penetration and what they can treat. This is the advantage of the use of intense pulsed light rather than the single wavelength of a laser. With the use of the intense pulsed light, without damaging the skin, the light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by dilated vessels and excessive pigmentation. The heat impairs the vessel of the lesion.

Will I need additional treatments?

After the initial series of 3-5 treatments, maintenance sessions are often needed. Proper caring for the skin will help diminish the likelihood of future treatments. Reports show patients return every six months for a follow-up treatment because the love the way the treatment improves their appearance.

Who should not have the procedure?

An Austin photofacial is not advisable for patients with connective tissue disease or autoimmune disorders. It is not advisable for pregnant women, nor is it safe for recently sun-tanned skin/ skin with self tanner or in those who may receive excess sun exposure in the immediate weeks following treatment. It should not be performed on patients taking Accutane or for six months after stopping Accutane. The procedure is not usually performed on patients with active acne cysts, large pustules, or highly active Rosacea. In patients who get fever blister attacks (herpes) on the face, an anti-herpes medication should be taken prior to treatment.

What are the skin conditions not likely to be helped by a photofacial?

It will not improve the appearance of frown lines, which are the lines of expression on the face, especially the forehead and between the brows. It will not help baggy or sagging skin, puffiness around the eyes, or skin cancer. Intense Pulsed Light treatments have shown to treat precancerous lesions known as 'actinic keratosis'. It won't remove bumpy moles, but a photofacial might remove their pigment. Genetic freckles usually return after treatment.

Are there any side effects?

Because of the inherent safety of the procedure, most side effects are mild and of short duration. There is usually mild redness immediately following treatment, lasting less than 24 hours in most people. On rare occasions the redness may last up to three days. Mild blistering and bruising is possible but usually clears in 7-10 days. Mild swelling of the face for several days occasionally occurs in severely sun-damaged or red skin due to reduced quality of connective tissue around the blood vessels. Post treatment increased pigmentation has be noted on occasion, but is usually highly treatable and fortunately very rare. Even more rare is a loss of pigmentation of the skin after treatments. This also clears in time as well, but can be permanent. Scarring as well is a rare but possible result of a photofacial. The risks of the known common and uncommon side effects will be reviewed with you at the time of your consultation.

Is the procedure painful?

There is a minimal to mild amount of discomfort. It is our experience that a topical anesthetic is necessary in the majority of patients.

Post-procedure instructions