LED Photo Facials
There are two different types of photo facials. The first is the LED (light-emitting diode) facial. This type of treatment uses very mild lights to treat a variety of skin conditions. There is no risk of burning, and you can even buy your own machine to use at home. Different wavelengths treat different types of skin conditions.
LED photo facials are most commonly used to reduce acne and boost collagen in the skin. Because the treatment is so mild, it usually takes 5 or 6 sessions, set about a week apart, to complete your treatment.
IPL Photo Facials
IPL (intense pulsed light) facials use a stronger light to treat conditions like rosacea and sun damage. These facials can also be used to reduce the size of wrinkles and large pores to give the skin a smoother, more even appearance.
Because of the stronger light, patients may experience some mild discomfort during and after a treatment. The number of treatments you will need depends on the size of the blemishes you want to remove.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
LED photo facials are typically safe for just about anyone. However, IPL photo facials work best on people with light skin. Darker skin may absorb more of the light, making the procedure more painful and less effective.
The more elasticity your skin has, the more successful the treatments are likely to be. You should also be in relatively good health overall, since this will help your skin heal more quickly after the treatment.
Talk to your doctor for more information on whether you are a good candidate.
What to Expect during Your Visit
Photo facials are completely noninvasive, meaning there are no injections and no skin is removed during the procedure. This makes them very safe procedures, and they can be completed relatively quickly.
Your doctor will treat your skin with a special light, which sends burst of energy into your skin to remove damaged areas. Most treatments take about half an hour to an hour.
Many patients claim that LED photo facials feel cooling and refreshing, while IPL treatments may sting a little bit, especially during the first visit.
Recovering from Your Photo Facial
Because photo facials are noninvasive, there is practically no recovery time needed after your treatment. You can return to work that day and should experience very few side effects.
After an IPL photo facial, you may experience mild redness, stinging, or swelling that can be treated with a cool cloth or over-the-counter pain medications. Avoid the sun as much as possible for the first few weeks after your treatment and wear sunscreen any time you go outside.
If you follow these guidelines, your results should last for a year or more.
Why Choose Photo Facials?
Photo facials are somewhat similar to other laser skin treatments, such as laser resurfacing. It's easy for patients to get confused between the different types of treatments. The main difference between photo facials and other laser treatments is that photo facials are less invasive. Laser resurfacing, for example, removes very thin layers of the skin in order to get rid of blemishes like scars and wrinkles. Because of this, recovery time for laser resurfacing tends to be longer and there is a greater risk of complications like skin infection and irritation.
For photo facials in Boston or a town near you, visit a trusted dermatologist office or qualified spa for the best treatment.