IPL Photofacial Removes Sun Damage You’ve Had for Decades

Sun spots and small wrinkles are signs you’ve enjoyed days in the sun over the years. While those might be some of your best memories, not everyone appreciates the evidence that shows on their skin.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) photofacials at Pure Bliss Medspa can lighten sun spots to reveal skin that looks more youthful. In Sandy Springs, Georgia, aesthetic nurse practitioner Asha Hill, NP, specializes in IPL and similar laser treatments to rejuvenate aging skin.

Are you looking for a safe treatment that can alleviate sun spots without causing more skin damage? Here’s why IPL photofacials could be your best option.

IPL vs. laser treatments

Treatments that use intense pulsed light aren’t quite the same as treatments that use lasers, though some laser treatments serve similar purposes.

Intense pulsed light is a type of bright, scattered light that looks like a flash from a camera. Lasers are focused beams that use just one light wavelength, while IPL uses many.

Another key difference is that IPL passes through the epidermis (top layer of skin) and into the dermis (underlying layer) without causing any damage to your skin’s surface. By doing this, IPL treatments cause less skin damage than laser treatments.

How IPL photofacials treat sun damage

When an IPL device flashes against your skin, pigmented cells in your skin (like the cells in darkened sun spots) absorb the light’s energy and convert it into heat. The heat destroys the pigment, leaving those pigmented spots lighter than before.

Depending on the amount of sun damage you have, you’ll most likely need 3-6 IPL treatments to get your desired results. Asha invites you to Pure Bliss Medspa for a skin evaluation and treatment consultation to determine the number of treatments you’ll need.

In addition to fewer age spots, some people experience improvements in their skin texture from IPL photofacials.

Customizing your photofacial

During your treatment consultation, Asha evaluates your medical history, goals, and skin type to make sure an IPL photofacial is your best option for treating sun damage.

IPL photofacials are highly customizable as providers can adjust several factors on the device, like how long the light flashes with each pulse and the wavelengths within the light spectrum. 

Devices also have a cooling system, which allows them to safely treat darker skin tones without overheating and damaging the skin.  

Preparing for your photofacial

Asha tells you how to prepare your skin for treatment so you can avoid possible side effects. You should:

• Discuss your medications, as you might need to adjust or stop taking certain types
• Avoid exposing your skin to more ultraviolet (UV) light (from the sun or from tanning beds)
• Stop waxing your skin
• Avoid harsh skin treatments and products like chemical peels

IPL treatments don’t require downtime, so you can expect to return to your usual routine right away.

Schedule a consultation

Want to learn more about IPL photofacials for sun-damaged skin? Call Pure Bliss Medspa or book an appointment online today.