What is a Photofacial?

An exciting procedure which treats a combination of aging changes in facial, neck and upper chest skin. IPL or “Photo Facial” has recently gained widespread popularity in the USA. This is primarily because of its more dramatic results than Microdermabrasion or chemical peels and the fact that it is non-invasive and can usually be performed with no patient down time. The Photofacial is considered by many to be the most useful recent advance in cosmetic treatments for the skin.

• Red, broken capillaries
• Areas of redness (and sometimes flushing)
• Blotchy pigmentation
• Lines and wrinkles, due to a loss of collagen in the second layer of the skin

In the majority of patients, Photo rejuvenation provides consistent, visible improvement in the skin with no downtime, little discomfort and minimal risk.

Benefits usually include a noticeable reduction in:

• Irregular pigmentation and freckles resulting in a more even tone
• Sun damage (photoaging)
• Red, broken capillaries and areas of redness
• Symptoms of rosacea

In addition, many patients notice some reduction in pore size and fine wrinkles with overall smoother skin. (Overseas studies have demonstrated new collagen formation following treatment). An intense pulsed-light device is used to deliver a series of gentle pulses of light to the skin. Specific parameters are selected for each treatment for optimal results. Initially, a layer of cool gel is applied to the face prior to the light pulse. The procedure is well tolerated although patients with sensitive skin may elect to apply an anaesthetic cream beforehand. A full face treatment takes approximately 20 minutes.

Immediately following the treatment, the skin may appear red and flushed and brown spots may appear darker. These changes gradually fade over a few hours to a few days. Make-up can be applied immediately following the procedure if necessary, so it is possible to return straight back to work.