Wrinkle Smoothing via Fillers
If you are getting older, you have no doubt noticed that fine lines and wrinkles and a loss of facial volume in your cheeks have begun appearing. These unwelcome changes in your face can have you looking older than you actually feel, leading to lower self-esteem and even harming your work and relationships. Many people seem to feel that the only solution to problems like these is to have some type of surgery. However, many also would like to avoid surgery, since it can be risky, expensive, and require too much downtime. The good news is that treatments like fillers are available that are safer, less expensive, and require little to no downtime while still offering significant results.
A Closer Look at Fillers
If your cheeks have lost fullness or you are dealing with fine lines and wrinkles, fillers may be right for you. A filler usually contains hyaluronic acid to replace the amount that has been lost as you age.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance produced within your body and is found most commonly in muscles, soft tissue, and skin tissue. It acts like a sponge within each of your cells, cushioning joints, protecting your eyes, and hydrating your skin.
Skin depleted of hyaluronic acid becomes more thin and dry. The result is a loss of skin volume, which is particularly apparent in the face and cheek area. Injecting additional hyaluronic acid in the form of a filler can help restore your normal levels and reverse the drying process that leads to wrinkles and facial volume loss.
Are Fillers Right for Me?
Fillers may be right in your case if you want a temporary solution to a loss of fullness in your face or wrinkles. In order to have an optimum outcome, you should not be on blood thinners. The treatment may be right for you if you are healthy, a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations.
Is This a Permanent Solution?
No, fillers are not permanent. The product will be gradually metabolized by your body. On the other hand, it offers results that are soft and natural because we are only replacing hyaluronic acid that you have lost over the years. You will simply look like a younger version of yourself.
If you’re interested in non-surgical wrinkle reduction, you owe it to yourself to learn more information about fillers. To get started, contact us today at Refresh Evolution and book a consultation at our office in Port Moody or Pitt Meadows!
FAQs - Laser Skin Resurfacing
At Refresh Evolution, we want you to look your best so you can feel your best. While considering laser skin resurfacing, it is important to understand the process. Today, we will answer frequently asked questions about this process including the results, cost and how to determine if it is right for you.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing involves reducing facial wrinkles and dermal irregularities such as acne scars and blemishes. Our specialist will use a laser to burst concentrated pulsating beams of light at your irregularities, precisely removing your skin one layer at a time.
What is the Treatment Like?
Treatments are performed in the comfort of our office and are designed to be quick and convenient.
What Results Can I Expect?
Results will vary based on which type of laser is used and what you are treating. You can expect a fresh, youthful, rejuvenated and smoother skin than before the procedure.
At What Age Can I Receive This Treatment?
As long as you are at least eighteen years of age, you should have no resistance to receive laser skin resurfacing in due to your age alone.
Who Should Receive This Treatment?
You should receive this treatment if you want to eliminate skin conditions such as scarring and rosacea. Other reasons this treatment may benefit you include reversing the signs of aging or damage due to sun exposure or eliminating acne scars, unwanted lesions or stretch marks.
How Much Will This Cost?
Cost varies. Be sure to discuss this with the provider during the consultation.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Schedule an initial consultation to speak with a specialist, who will walk you through if laser skin resurfacing is right for you. Factors include desired results, skin tone and history of skin pigment problems. During a consultation, our specialist can guide you through the answers to any other questions or concerns you have as well.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation
Laser skin resurfacing may benefit you, as it can address a wide range of skin issues. Talk to the friendly professionals at Refresh Evolution to learn more about whether or not the treatment can benefit you specifically. We have offices located in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody. Contact us today to book an appointment and get started. We can't wait to hear from you!
All About Skin Tightening with Venus Freeze
Celebrities always seem to be featured in the news to show off their results from the latest cosmetic treatment. In the past, the most popular cosmetic treatments involved injections. Numerous individuals have been searching for a way to fight the aging process with a treatment not reliant on injections. The ideal solution for the majority of these individuals is called Venus Freeze. This breakthrough treatment is a non-invasive procedure for contouring and tightening the skin. In addition to providing excellent results for aging skin, younger individuals are having the treatment for last-minute improvements before a big event or engagement. The skin tightening procedure provides your skin with heat in order to create new collagen. This results in more youthful and plumper skin.
The treatment is backed with revolutionary technology, providing you with a non-invasive procedure to tighten your skin, decrease cellulite, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, and help with other issues. The handpiece uses a pulsed magnetic field and radio frequency for the creation of a unique process capable of penetrating safely, comfortably, quickly and deeply into your skin. It is important to note this technology has been approved by the FDA. One of the biggest differences between this procedure and the other machines and lasers is all laser components and lights have been eliminated. This means you can have this treatment no matter what type of skin you have. All you need to do during the procedure is relax and enjoy the warmth of the sensation on your skin.
The release of growth factors is triggered by the magnetic pulse component. Growth factors are necessary for the growth of dermal fibroblasts and new blood vessels. At the same time, elastin and collagen synthesis are created by the controlled thermal damage to your skin. This is what triggers your body’s repair mechanism for both enzyme-mediated lipolysis and your skin tissue. This results in a noticeable improvement in the elasticity and tightness of your skin, an improvement in your blood circulation and the stabilization of your strands of collagen. You will notice overall tighter and firmer skin and a reduction in cellulite.
The procedure is performed in a series of treatments. Six to eight treatments are generally required for optimal results. This is dependent on whether you are having your body or face treated. Once you have completed your initial treatment series, you can maintain your results for the long-term with a maintenance program. Several different areas of your body can be treated due to the different sizes of the two treatment heads. The procedure for you neck and face requires less than one hour. The targeted points of heat will be maintained during your entire session. The areas of the body most often treated include the front and back of the thighs, the buttocks and the hips. Your waist, abdomen and arms can also be treated effectively.
The majority of individuals choose to have one or two of the larger areas of their body treated. The procedure is effective all by itself, or it can be enhanced even further with another treatment to target the deeper adipose and fat tissue. The treatment offers a lot of benefits including:
• The treatment is clinically proven and cleared by the FDA.
• The procedure is non-invasive and safe.
• The procedure is fast and the results are visible.
• No discomfort has been reported during or after the treatment.
• There is no downtime.
• The technology is the leader in the market.
• There are no adverse side effects.
• There is an improvement in the texture of your skin after just one treatment.
• The Venus Freeze system is used by aesthetic professionals all over the world.
• The improvement in skin texture after one session is as high as eighty percent.
• The procedure is not uncomfortable.
• The contraction of collagen fibers provides an immediate tightened and firmed look.
This procedure is trusted by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and medical professionals across the globe. (MP)2 technology powers the system with a combination of pulsed electro magnetic fields (P.E.M.F.) and multi-polar radio frequency. This creates a uniform heat for every layer of your skin. The treatment has been shown to be effective for improving loose skin or skin laxity and softening the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines as soon as right after completion of the first procedure. After the treatment, numerous individuals have reported visible results including a smoother and firmer appearance to their skin.
The Specifics of the Venus Freeze Treatment
Prior to beginning your series of treatments, measurements and photographs will be taken for comparison later. Before you agree to the treatment, you need to ask any questions you may have. During each session, a special gel will be applied by the cosmetic professional to the areas being treated. This enables the device to glide across the targeted areas. You skin is deeply penetrated and heated by the radio frequency energy. A heat device will be used during your treatment to take specific temperatures. This makes certain the correct temperature is reached and maintained for all of the areas being targeted for the right amount of time. As the device is moved across your skin, you are going to feel a sensation of heat concentrated on the areas being treated.
You will experience a little heat and a feeling of warmth in the targeted areas once you have completed your procedure. There is no real discomfort to contend with. There is absolutely no downtime after your treatment. Once your session has concluded, you are free to go back to work or resume your usual daily activities. It is important to keep your expectations for the procedure realistic. You will receive the best results if you are exercising on a regular basis and consuming a balanced and healthy diet. This treatment is not meant to be used as a way to lose weight. You will experience the best results after multiple sessions. After each treatment, you should continue to see improvements. You will need to adhere to a maintenance program because the results are long-lasting but not permanent.
The most common results include an overall tightening of the skin, a decrease in wrinkles and fine lines and a reduction in cellulite. The Venus Freeze system is able to tighten your complexion by increasing your production of elastin and collagen and improving your blood flow. Once the structure of your skin has been remodeled, you will see a firmer and smoother complexion that will remind you of the way your skin looked when you were younger. The treatment can also reduce the size of your pores so they become less obvious. A series of these skin tightening treatments will provide you with firmer, tighter and smoother skin. The procedure will improve your appearance in numerous ways including:
• Helping to eliminate droopy, sagging and loose skin
• Smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles
• Decreasing the visibility of deep creases
The treatment does not require any discomfort, surgery or downtime. The procedure helps eliminate facial wrinkles and fine lines, a sagging chin or neck, loose skin on your arms, lumpy thighs or buttocks and crepey skin on your elbows or knees. The treatment is also an excellent option after having a baby or after liposuction. This is a non-surgical solution for tightening the skin on your neck and face and reducing cellulite anywhere on your body. The treatment is much more affordable than invasive procedures, extremely effective and safe. Not only does the procedure feel good, but the results are excellent as well.
The Basic Facts Regarding Venus Freeze
Nearly anyone with a specific area on their body they are not happy with is a candidate for this treatment. If you want to achieve a minimal to moderate tightening of your skin, you should receive excellent results from your sessions. If you have a lot of sagging skin or extremely large or loose areas of skin, you may require additional treatments to achieve your desired results. The majority of cosmetic professionals offer an initial consultation to discuss your needs and expectations. During this time, your medical history will be reviewed, the targeted areas evaluated and your aesthetic goals discusses to make certain this is the best possible procedure for you.
It is important to note Venus Freeze is not appropriate for pregnant women or individuals with metal implants such as cardiac pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. If the individual has specific health conditions, they must consult with a physician prior to having this treatment. The results vary from person to person due to their physical attributes, personal goals, lifestyle, health and the condition of their skin. This will have an impact on the length of time necessary to see results. A lot of individuals notice a small tightening effect or slight improvements after just one session. The results only improve with more treatments.
In most instances, multiple sessions are necessary to begin seeing obvious results. Your results will continue to show a gradual improvement after every session. Once you have completed the entire treatment series, you should see a decrease in cellulite, a fuller, plumper and younger-looking body, softer fine lines and wrinkles and tighter skin. To achieve lasting results, you will most likely need to complete roughly six to eight sessions. The treatment is effective due to the combination of pulsed electro-magnetic fields and multi-polar radio frequency. These fields create a therapeutic and dense matrix in every layer of your skin.
The skin tightening treatment triggers your body’s natural production of new elastin and collagen fibers and your healing response. When enough heat is applied to the collagen fibers in your skin, the fibers instantly contract. This tightens your skin. You may notice the effect right after your first procedure. The additional benefits of the pulsed magnetic fields include increasing the blood, nutrients and oxygen to your skin. This results in an immediate glow that will last. The bottom line is the application and combination of the two technologies trigger a contraction of your existing collagen to generate additional fibroblasts, tighten your skin, form new blood vessels in your tissue, create more collagen and perform other beneficial tasks.
This is a nice change from numerous skin tightening procedures that are often extremely invasive or require anesthesia. A lot of people have stated the procedure felt similar to a hot stone massage. Some individuals even admitted they fell asleep during their session. The process is simple. The settings for your treatment are adjusted correctly by a cosmetic professional prior to your session.
The time required for your session is dependent on the treatment areas. As soon as your procedure has been completed, you can immediately return to whatever you had planned for the day. After your procedure, you can even apply your regular cosmetics and skin care products.
Leading a healthier lifestyle and completing all of your treatments will help you receive and maintain your optimal results. After you have completed the last session of your initial series, a maintenance treatment is recommended as needed. This will depend on your specific goals. A personalized treatment plan will be established during your initial consultation. Magnetic pulses and radio frequency are both safe and proven technologies that have been used effectively for numerous years.
Clinical trials have provided excellent documentation showing the effect of magnetic pulses on bone and wound healing is positive. The FDA approved the creation of new collagen production and small blood vessels as an effective and safe technology for medical applications. This technology is an important part of the Venus Freeze system for a dramatic improvement of your skin by triggering the creation of new collagen production and blood vessels. The treatment is performed by professionally trained and skilled cosmetic professionals.
If you are interested in a Venus Freeze skin tightening treatment, please feel free to arrange your personal consultation at Refresh Evolution, located in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody. Learn more information about the treatment and what it can do for you. Contact us today to book your appointment and get started!
Teosyal - The Ultimate Facial Filler
The combination of repetitive facial expressions and the natural process of aging combine to form facial wrinkles as time passes. A lot of women and men decrease the appearance of wrinkles with a wide variety of cosmetic procedures. One of the most frequently used and popular treatments is a facial filler. Teosyal is a facial filler containing hyaluronic acid (HA). This substance naturally occurs within your body to provide your tissues with both hydration and lubrication. Since the dermal filler contains hyaluronic acid, it softens the look of wrinkles and fine lines, accentuates and sculpts facial features including the chin and the lips, and restores both fat and volume loss. The product is classified as a hyaluronic-based filler and has become an extremely popular choice for numerous different issues.
This filler is an excellent choice for the treatment of specific issues including the hollows beneath the eyes, often referred to as tear troughs, nasolabial folds generally called smile lines, and crow’s feet, which are the creases appearing at the outer edges of the eyes. The facial filler lasts for a long period of time, helps maintain both hydration and vitality, softens the appearance of the skin without preventing expressive movements, and offers important structural support. The reason dermal filler is so effective is because it replaces and preserves the content of hyaluronic acid in addition to the most important characteristics.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural chemical located in your bodily tissues such as your skin, brain tissue, and cartilage. This is what is responsible for drawing moisture to your skin to add plumpness while hydrating your complexion. When your skin is properly hydrated, you are able to resist damage such as wrinkles and fine lines. As your skin begins to age, your production of collagen and hyaluronic acid decreases. This is what generally causes visible dryness in your skin, hollows beneath your eyes, wrinkles, fine lines, thin lips, sagging skin, and more pronounced frown lines. The benefits of Teosyal enable the product to work to help restore the look of your youth. This results in additional shape and volume to your face including your chin, jawline, and cheeks. This is accomplished by balancing and sculpting the proportions of your face.
The younger generation has discovered the benefits of using facial filler to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles on their faces as time passes. The facial filler is an excellent preventative option. Although the results are not permanent, they do last for a long time. Depending on the specific product, the results generally last for six to twelve months. This innovative filler was created using the latest technology to ensure the hyaluronic gel can resist the movements of the face to help smooth out numerous issues including laugh lines and lines around the mouth. The majority of hyaluronic fillers break down fairly quickly in expressive areas of the face. This filler has been specialized to last for a minimum of one year in these expressive areas.
The filler has been specifically designed to rebound, flex, and stretch using a natural elasticity extremely similar to your own natural hyaluronic acid. This is the reason the filler can last for such a long time in the areas where you have the most common facial movements. Your expressions will appear soft and natural enabling you to express yourself the same way you always have. The base of the filler is 100 percent hyaluronic acid. This ensures a natural way to enjoy a healthier and more youthful appearance. There is also a nice cosmetic range possible through using this filler such as a cover-up or a dermal moisturizer.
There are two different strengths available. With regular applications, you should notice an improvement in the appearance of any marks or wrinkles on your face. This is because the filler contains hyaluronic acid to naturally plump and hydrate your skin. The injections are fast, simple, effective, and will improve the appearance of your skin and facial features. You will see immediate results right after your treatment. The Teosyal facial filler is just one of the products available in a line designed specifically to provide the best possible results for different individuals with a variety of facial concerns and issues. It is important to decide what results you want to achieve prior to selecting the product or treatment that is right for your individual needs. This will help ensure you receive the results you desire the most.
The exceptional benefits have ensured loyalty from individuals of an extremely wide age range. Individuals still in their twenties are interested in preventing the most common signs of aging from appearing. Individuals aged 50 and above are often interested in looking more youthful by turning back the clock a little bit. The injections take effect immediately. There is no need to wait several months to see your results like with so many other cosmetic treatments. Your results will bring you pleasure for a long time. The dermal filler was first released in 2005. This means a lot of individuals have already experienced the results. The majority of these individuals were not only satisfied with the results of the procedure, but they have continued having maintenance sessions because they love the way they look.
Important Facts Regarding Teosyal
It is important to understand the actual length of time the Teosyal facial filler will last is dependent on the range of several important factors. This includes the specific product used, the amount of correction necessary for your needs, your age, the condition of your immune system, and the choices you have made regarding your lifestyle. According to numerous trials conducted, the average length of time the procedure lasts is between six and nine months. One of the longest-lasting fillers currently available is the Ultra Deep. This formula has been shown to last an average of one year. This means you will require fewer treatments while saving money. The filler that lasts for the longest period of time is the Ultimate. The results last an average of twelve to eighteen months. This means you only need two treatments every three years.
The best treatment is dependent on what you are hoping to achieve and which characteristics you want to change. It is extremely important to work with a cosmetic professional experienced with dermal fillers. The length of time your results will last is impacted by the filler being properly injected into the correct area. When the cosmetic professional has both experience and skill, this will directly and positively impact your results. Another consideration regarding the length of time your results will last is your lifestyle choices. Making healthier choices can extend the duration of your results. If you smoke or consume alcohol on a regular basis, your lifestyle will not result in the best possible benefits. Making some changes to your lifestyle can help improve the function of your skin.
One of the best possible ways to have a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance in addition to prolonging the life of your treatment is to choose a healthier lifestyle. If you are deciding whether or not to have your first dermal filler treatment, chances are good you have two major concerns. The first is if the procedure will actually work. The second is if you will look so different after the procedure all your friends and family will know you had a cosmetic treatment. First of all, there have been several different fillers created to ensure one of them is right for the needs of every individual. This means there is a filler that will work well for your specific goals and issues. Every product has the capability of hydrating, lifting, and filling the areas you want to have treated such as your lips, face, chest, neck, or hands.
It is also important to understand the treatment will not make you look like a completely different person. Unless you tell the people in your life you have had a dermal filler procedure, they will simply think you have been getting more rest, eating healthier, or that you just look extremely well. Whether you are interested in making a minor change or want to smooth out deeper furrows, wrinkles, superficial lines, or crow’s feet, there is a facial filler available for your needs. It is extremely important to be open and honest with the cosmetic professional regarding what you want to achieve with the dermal filler. This is the only way you can receive the right procedure for what you desire.
Some of the fillers were created to be more intense with the purpose of offering a more dramatic effect. Every product is 100 percent natural and pure. The treatment is also not permanent. This means if you decide you would like something a little different next time, you have that option available as soon as the product has dissolved. The length of time necessary for this to happen depends on which product was used. The cosmetic professional will also offer you either a numbing injection or an anesthetic cream prior to your treatment. This helps ensure you do not experience any discomfort or pain during the process. Once the numbing effect has taken place, the majority of individuals feel nothing at all in the area being treated. If you have any concerns about pain or are feeling any sense of discomfort, this is an excellent option.
You may be interested in knowing a lot of the individuals who receive a facial filler choose to have either a numbing agent or anesthetic used for their comfort level. In most cases, your treatment will require between 30 and 60 minutes. This is dependent on which treatment option you have chosen. No matter which product you have chosen, you can be confident your treatment will be both safe and effective. The chances of being pleased with your results are excellent.
The Benefits of Teosyal
The majority of individuals choose to have another treatment in the future because their results have been so positive. This is due to the effectiveness and the benefits of the Teosyal facial fillers, the excellent results achieved and the care used for the creation of each and every product. One of the best advantages is the product is both completely natural and pure. The fillers use the hyaluronic acid already natural to the body. Not only is this the most natural way possible to make any cosmetic facial changes you may desire, but there is absolutely no need to conduct any kind of testing on animals. It is also important to understand that because the product is natural, as time passes it will break down and disintegrate without causing any damage to either your skin or your body.
If for any reason you decide you do not want to have another treatment in the future, your skin will simply revert to your normal appearance once the product has naturally broken down. There are absolutely no long-lasting or nasty side effects to worry about. Due to the natural ingredients of the filler, the design of the syringes, and the care taken with the creation of the products, the procedure is much easier and more efficient than so many of the cosmetic treatments currently available. This makes it much easier to have the appearance you desire. This is one of the most durable facial fillers currently available on the market in addition to being one of the fillers providing the longest lasting results.
The long-lasting results, the effectiveness of the injections, and the safety make this one of the most highly valued and most popular cosmetic fillers available across the globe. These filters are currently being used in approximately 86 countries all over the world. The safety profile has been excellent. The lack of any dangerous side effects regarding the procedure offers you peace of mind. You can be assured the popularity and success of this treatment throughout the world because the product works just the way it was intended. This means you will be using a facial filler recognized as safe and effective all over the world.
The main objective of the filler is an improvement in the appearance of the areas most often showing the first signs of the aging process. This is one of the main reasons different treatments have been created for numerous purposes. The wide assortment of available treatments enables you to receive everything from plumper lips to diminished wrinkles and lines. Some of the fillers can be used for more than one area of your face. The best product for you will be determined by what you hope to accomplish with your treatment. Some of the fillers have only a slightly different impact from one another while others offer a dramatic difference in a specific area. The cosmetic professional will be happy to explain the differences between the facial fillers, what can be achieved with each one and to make the best possible recommendations.
If your ultimate goal is to make an improvement in numerous different areas of your appearance, the cosmetic professional will most likely recommend a combination of different facial fillers and products. A good example is if you choose to drastically diminish deep wrinkles, lines, and furrows in your face, rejuvenate the skin on your hands, and plump up your lips, you will require three completely different types of fillers. The most frequently performed procedure is for the face. This is because the face is the most prominent overall feature of every individual. This means certain issues and signs of the aging process are noticed much more easily. The majority of these issues can be repaired quickly and easily with a dermal filler.
This procedure does not require surgery, incisions, or a lengthy period of healing. The treatment is fast, simple, safe, and effective. You can improve the appearance of your entire face, decrease a few lines and wrinkles, or simply plump up your lips. The final result is a noticeable improvement in your appearance, a rejuvenation of the areas treated, and a more youthful and refreshed look. There is a facial filler available for the benefits you are most interested in receiving. If you are interested in the Teosyal facial filler, get in touch with the educated staff at Refresh Evolution in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody to learn more. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
IPL for Skin Rejuvenation
Skin rejuvenation describes any of several different treatments used to give the skin an unblemished and youthful appearance. When a person reaches their late 20s or early 30s, their body starts to produce less collagen, which is a protein that gives skin -- along with other parts of the body -- its structure. That decline in collagen production gradually causes the skin to become less supple and firm, so it starts to sag and become wrinkled.
The aging process, along with exposure to the sun, can also cause the skin to develop blemishes and discolorations like age spots or redness. Skin rejuvenation treatments stimulate the production of collagen, so the skin regains its firmness. They also improve the skin’s tone and texture by reducing blemishes or making the skin smoother.
Skin rejuvenation treatments can be ablative or non-ablative. An ablative procedure is one that removes the topmost layer of the skin. Laser resurfacing is an example of an ablative procedure. While it does work, the patient will typically need both a local anesthetic and a sedative to keep them comfortable during the procedure. The recovery can take weeks, and the patient may need to use pain relievers and ice packs to ease their discomfort.
Non-ablative procedures don’t affect the skin’s surface. Instead, they affect the layers underneath by stimulating collagen production and thus producing healthier skin. IPL skin rejuvenation is a non-ablative treatment.
What Is IPL?
IPL stands for “intense pulsed light.” Like a laser, IPL is a device that emits a beam of light. While a laser emits just one wavelength of light, IPL emits several. Those wavelengths are less focused than that of a laser, and they harmlessly bypass the epidermis or topmost layer of the skin. They travel to the dermis and affect the cells there.
An IPL machine emits several different wavelengths that have different effects. Some of the wavelengths are long enough to reach the fibroblasts in the dermis. Fibroblasts are cells that can help the skin recover from injury. They also produce collagen. IPL machines can also emit green and yellow wavelengths that can be absorbed by blood cells. IPL can thus be used to reduce or eliminate broken capillaries, rosacea, or similar conditions.
In addition to stimulating collagen production, IPL can destroy hair follicles to prevent unwanted hair from growing. Similarly, it can destroy pigment cells and thus eliminate spots like freckles. Both hair follicles and pigment cells will absorb the light from the IPL and convert it into heat, which then destroys them.
IPL also provides the following benefits:
- IPL has existed since the 1990s and thus has a good track record in safety and effectiveness
- IPL causes few side effects
- IPL’s effects last a long time because it stimulates healing within the body
- IPL is versatile and can be used to treat many conditions including rosacea, spider veins, stretch marks, sun spots, enlarged pores, acne, and fine lines and wrinkles
- IPL treatments are short enough that they can be done during lunchtime, and they have a minimal recovery period
IPL skin rejuvenation is sometimes also called “photorejuvenation.” When applied to the face, it can be called a “photofacial.”
What Happens during a Treatment Session?
Before starting, the provider would program the machine to fit the patient’s needs and apply a cool gel to protect the treatment area. They will also give the patient a pair of protective goggles to wear. Even though an IPL treatment does not cause damage to the skin, our team will make sure you are as comfortable as possible before starting the device.
During a skin rejuvenation session, the provider will place the handpiece or wand against the patient’s skin. When they pull the trigger, the handpiece emits a light burst with multiple wavelengths. That light harmlessly bypasses the epidermis and is absorbed by pigmented cells within the dermis. The light heats up those cells and damages them. That damage stimulates the body’s healing mechanisms which in turn start producing collagen, elastin, and new skin cells that eventually replace the damaged cells. In the process, the new cells smooth out wrinkles, fill in scars and reduce discoloration.
IPL causes little discomfort. Some people experience a tingling sensation during treatment, while others feel as if a small rubber band were snapping against their skin. The extent of the discomfort depends on both the area being treated and the patient’s tolerance for discomfort. Many patients find that their tolerance for the sensation caused by IPL increases with subsequent sessions.
As mentioned earlier, a treatment session is usually under an hour. Most people will need four to six sessions to get the desired results. Each session will be three to six weeks apart. That amount of time will allow new skin cells to grow, and the provider will be able to check the patient’s progress. Going several weeks between treatments will also allow the patient to fully recover.
Spots caused by brown pigment like freckles or age spots will actually appear darker for three to seven days after treatment. After that, they will start to fade. Similarly, discoloration caused by red blood cells will initially appear darker or more purple right after treatment, and it may take as long as a month to fade. Most patients will see improvements in their skin before it’s time to get their second treatment.
IPL skin rejuvenation treatments can be done on the face, neck, chest, or the backs of the hands.
How Should the Patient Prepare for IPL Skin Rejuvenation?
Since IPL works by targeting pigment, the patient must stay out of the sun to keep their skin as light as possible. The pigment in tanned skin would absorb too much of the light from the IPL device and thus lessen the treatment’s effectiveness. If the patient does have to go outside, they should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Their sunscreen should also protect them from both UVB and UVA rays.
During their consultation, the patient should tell the provider about any drugs or supplements they are taking, prescription or otherwise. Some medications can affect the skin’s sensitivity to the IPL.
The patient should stop using any type of Vitamin A product on their face for at least two months before the procedure. That includes Retin-A, alpha-hydroxy acids, Accutane, glycolic acid, and retinoic acid. The patient should not use depilatories or bleaching creams on their face for at least a week before treatment.
On the day of treatment, the patient should not wear cosmetics, perfume, or moisturizers. If they wear contacts, they should bring the case and solution with them, for they will need to take the contacts out before undergoing treatment. They should also bring sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, for they will have to apply it before leaving.
Does the Patient Need to Do Anything after the Treatment?
The patient should basically treat their skin as if they have a mild sunburn. For example, they should avoid direct exposure to the sun during the entire series of treatments and for the next month after the last treatment session. If they need to go outside, they should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for at least the next month after treatment. If they don’t, they could suffer complications resulting in damage to their skin.
They should avoid hot baths and hot showers for at least the next two days. They should not scrub or rub the treatment site. Similarly, they should not scratch or pick at the treatment site; they will risk infection otherwise.
The patient should not apply powder make-up or foundation immediately after treatment, but they may use other types of make-up. On the other hand, they should moisturize their skin frequently.
The patient should avoid vigorous exercise for at least a day after treatment, and they should not drink alcohol for at least two days. The patient should continue not using Accutane, Retin-A, and any other skin care product containing Vitamin A.
How Does IPL Skin Rejuvenation Help Someone with Acne?
In addition to stimulating the body’s healing processes and production of collagen and elastin, IPL also kills the bacteria that cause acne. The extra collagen produced by the treatment can help fill in any acne scars and thus make them less visible.
How Does IPL Skin Rejuvenation Compare with Other Treatments?
IPL skin rejuvenation has the large advantage of being non-invasive. Unlike a conventional facelift, it does not involve surgery. It has a much shorter recovery time than do facelifts, laser skin resurfacing, or the more aggressive chemical peels. Unlike laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels, IPL skin rejuvenation does not involve actually removing the topmost layers of the skin. Nor does it cause the lingering swelling or redness seen after laser skin resurfacing or deep chemical peels.
Photorejuvenation also has the advantage of versatility. Microdermabrasion, another treatment that does not involve surgery, works well on wrinkles and other flaws. Unfortunately, it is less effective against redness, rosacea, or broken capillaries. IPL rejuvenation, by contrast, works on all three of those problems.
Since an IPL machine produces several different wavelengths of light, the provider can program the machine to produce the light wavelengths that will be most beneficial to the patient. By contrast, a laser device produces only a single wavelength of light. Consequently, an IPL machine can treat several different conditions at once, while a laser can treat only one problem.
For example, a patient with acne scars, reddened skin, and age spots could get a series of IPL treatments. The provider would program the IPL machine to emit the light wavelengths that would be most useful in treating their condition. By contrast, a laser treatment would be able to handle one of those blemishes at a time, so the patient would need three different lasers and many more treatments.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IPL Skin Rejuvenation?
The ideal candidate will be in good overall health and have realistic expectations. They will also have light and untanned skin that still has some elasticity. They should not have taken Accutane within the past six months.
By contrast, people with dark skin, tans, or recent sunburns are not good candidates. People who have used tanning beds or not used any sunscreen while outside need to wait at least a month before undergoing photorejuvenation.
People with skin problems like active infections, eczema, or inflammatory acne are not good candidates. People with vitiligo or other hypopigmentation disorders are not good candidates. People with a history of keloids are not good candidates. Women may not undergo IPL rejuvenation if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People who have a pacemaker or surgical pins or plates in the treatment site are not accepted as candidates. People taking medication for diabetes are also not good candidates. Patients who take St. John’s Wort need to stop at least three months before treatment. Similarly, patients who use any type of blood-thinner or a medication like ibuprofen that causes similar effects need to stop taking it for at least a week before treatment.
Other conditions that make a person a poor candidate for IPL skin rejuvenation include cancer, lupus, and seizure disorders. People who have had an outbreak of herpes simplex within the treatment are also not good candidates.
How Long Will the Effects Last?
The patient’s skin will continue producing collagen for another six to twelve months after the last treatment. As a result, many patients will have a touch-up treatment about once a year to keep their skin wrinkle-free. Many dermatologists recommend getting that touch-up during the winter in order to treat any sun damage caused by being outside during the summer.
The cosmetic effects will last longer if the patient takes good care of their skin and avoids a lot of exposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet rays. Going outside a lot without sunscreen will cause blemishes like age spots and wrinkles to return.
Nothing, however, stops the aging process, no matter how careful the patient is. That is yet another reason to get a wintertime touch-up after completing the initial treatments. If you would like to learn more about this treatment, the educated staff at Refresh Evolution would be more than happy to help. We are conveniently located in Pitt Meadows and Port Moody. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
