Intense Pulsed Light
Dr. Angela Chamorro
Facial aesthetic medicine
Intense Pulsed Light
Perhaps this is the reason why skin care is one of the main objectives of aesthetic medicine, which has been in charge of studying and creating different types of treatments that are applied in order to bring beauty, youth and health. .
On this occasion, I will explain one of the most well-known and functional treatments when it comes to taking care of our skin, the IPL or Intense Pulsed Light treatment. A treatment that due to its multiple benefits is among the favorites of celebrities such as Blanca Suarez or Emma Stone, whom we will recognize, among several of their attributes, their radiant and beautiful skin.
I am Dr. Angela Chamorro, Specialist in Aesthetic Medicine. One of my main goals is to keep you up to date with all the treatments that can provide positive results for the appearance and health of your skin, which is why I will detail all the information about this wonderful treatment below.
What is the Intense Pulsed Light treatment?
This treatment originates in the United States around the 1990s, since various investigations were being carried out during this decade, in which the effects produced by flash lights on different visible skin lesions were studied.
Thereafter, the branch of the aesthetic medicine has been in charge of continuing to investigate this type of treatment, finding more functionalities in these than those that were initially believed to be responsible, making pulsed light in one of the favorite techniques for rejuvenation and improvement of the appearance of the skin.
The Intense Pulsed Light technique or IPL (for its acronym in English “intense pulsed light”), is a very popular skin care technique that will give it shine, beauty and youth. It is designed to help patients of all ages, and is even highly recommended for children with angiomas or adolescents who suffer from acne.
How does the IPL work?
The IPL is performed using a device that releases a broad band of light very similar to laser, which in turn produces an energy capable of acting in the deepest layers of the skin, generating improvements that will become visible through the color and texture that it will acquire.
What is achieved through this treatment is a selective photothermolysis, an effect that destroys the objects that age and limit the beauty of the skin, such as body hair, acne, spots caused by the sun, among others. Achieving in this way to eliminate redness, marks, wrinkles… And all this, without destroying or endangering the health of our skin.
But this is not all that can be achieved through this treatment, since the skin, by absorbing all this light energy provided by intense pulsed light, has a skin response that stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen, which will be very positive when it comes to rejuvenating its appearance.
One of the reasons why patients decide on this treatment is because its application It is not aggressive and is very little invasive, which allows the realization of several sessions of the same, and that after finishing the treatment, the patient who has undergone it can return to their daily activities with just some specific care.
Its results are almost instantaneous, and they will become more visible as the days go by if proper skin care is taken following the instructions of the health professional who has been in charge of carrying out the treatment.
What is the specific procedure for the IPL?
The duration of the procedure may vary, generally it takes between 45 minutes and an hour, and it will be treated as follows:
- Information stage: to start this treatment, the professional in charge will carry out a study of our skin and later explain why this treatment is the one that best suits our needs. In addition to this, it will inform us about the procedure and the care prior to the treatment. It is important to take into account that, to carry out this treatment, it is best for the patient not to be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 15 or 20 days prior to treatment.
- Cleaning and disinfection: the area to be treated will have to undergo a disinfection and cleaning process in which the skin is completely purified. In the case of the face area, for example, any remaining makeup or cream that has been previously applied will have to be cleaned.
- Anesthesia: some type of anesthetic cream may be applied according to the verdict of the professional in charge and the comfort of the patient, if so, it will have to be applied 30 minutes before starting the treatment and completely withdrawn at the beginning.
- Eye protection glasses: we will be given glasses to protect our eyes from the light energy used during the treatment.
- Application of the gel: to start the treatment, the professional will apply a cold gel that will allow the transmission of light energy to the skin, and will also keep it cool throughout the process, which will increase comfort.
- Application of pulsed light: the treatment will be carried out by shooting or pulsed light in the areas to be treated. First, the areas with spots and redness will be treated, and then the production of collagen will be stimulated, for the reduction of pores and the firming of the skin.
- Soothing mask: once the treatment is over, the professional may choose to apply a soothing mask for about 10 minutes, this in order to avoid irritation or discomfort after the procedure.
What should I take into account after the completion of the procedure?
Being such a non-aggressive technique for the skin, patient care will not be particularly complicated or restrictive, but it is very important to follow to ensure the well-being of the skin and the effectiveness of the treatment. Next, we detail them:
- Direct skin contact with the sun should be avoided during the first 15 days after treatment.
- We will have to use sun protection in the treated area.
- Slight redness may appear that can be concealed with makeup.
Other treatments that may be aggressive to the skin should not be carried out during the first 15 days, such as peelings or abrasions.