IPL Skin rejuvenation treatments can address the aspects of premature ageing outlined above due to its ability to subtly restructure collagen within the skin which helps to dramatically improve skin tone and texture and visibly reduce the signs of ageing.
Collagen is essentially the building blocks of skin, the scaffolding responsible for keeping skin plump & firm. Lines and wrinkles are smoothed by boosting collagen levels, skin is firmer and age spots and freckles can be lightened or removed.
When used to target the signs of premature ageing, IPL works by omitting light which is absorbed within the dermis ( the sensitive connective tissue layer of the skin located below the top layer called the epidermis) which causes a mild erythema (superficial redness of the skin) and reversible damage to the collagen network which tricks your fibroblasts ( a cell in connective tissue which produces collagen) into kick starting the healing response of the skin and promoting new collagen formation. Typically at each session the entire face, neck or décolleté is treated as this leads to a far more consistent result rather than limiting treatment to an isolated problem area.
Changes to the collagen structure are not immediate and best results are often visible several weeks after treatment. Combining various treatments e.g. skin peels and cosmeceutical homecare products is likely to bring about optimum results.
IPL skin rejuvenation is an ideal treatment for a number of skin concerns such as:
Precisely controlled short pulses of light are released that target discolouration (brown and red lesions) to create a more youthful, even complexion. In addition, this light results in the stimulation of the fibroblast cells, leading to increased production of new collagen and elastin. This improves the texture of the skin, evening out lumps and bumps whilst reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Prior to treatment you must first undergo a thorough consultation where details about your medical history are obtained in order to confirm suitability. Before proceeding you will be asked to sign a consent form and have a skin patch test.
Upon consultation a treatment procedure will be tailored specifically to you. The process will include a light applicator that is placed onto the skin and a short pulse of light is released. The handpiece is then moved to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated. During treatment protective eyewear will be provided.
Treatment can be mildly uncomfortable but no anaesthesia is required and most people describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable, not unlike a quick pin prick and warm feeling.
Redness and a slight warming sensation are normal after treatment. A cooling pack is applied after treatment to calm the skin. You may see a darkening of any pigmented spots before they flake off, leading to a more even skin tone. Tightening of the skin should increase over the following months as new collagen is produced with the dermis.
While traditional Microdermabrasion and IPL Skin Rejuvenation treat many of the same conditions, there are significant differences between the two treatments.
Microdermabrasion uses tiny crystals and suction to peel the skin off whilst IPL uses a more sophisticated technology (xenon flash lamp and optical prisms or filters) to instantly vaporize damaged cells deep within the skin without harming the surrounding tissue or the top skin layer.
Microdermabrasion just works on the skin’s surface, but IPL is capable of penetrating the skin at various depths. IPL is a more complex procedure than Microdermabrasion but its effects are also more dramatic.
Typically, it can take as many as 12 microdermabrasion sessions before you see improvements with regard to things like age spots, lines, acne scars, blackheads and blotchy skin. By contrast, IPL works much quicker and more dramatically. Just one IPL session is normally sufficient to produce noticeable improvements with things like broken capillaries, rosacea, freckles and scarring.
