IPL Skin Rejuvenation

IPL is a skin rejuvenation treatment, similar to laser therapy, and is sometimes referred to as photo-rejuvenation. It reduces the appearance of superficial pigmented lesions, such as sun spots, and superficial vascular lesions, such as broken capillaries, on the surface of the skin, whilst improving skin texture through collagen stimulation and reduction of pore size. It is commonly used on the face, neck, chest and hands.

After a short treatment programme, muscles are more toned with an average increase in muscle mass of up to 16%. Patient satisfaction following the Emsculpt treatment is 96%.

A handpiece is used to deliver an intense pulse of broad-spectrum visible light waves, with filters being used to block any harmful UV rays. The light beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by either haemoglobin in small blood capillaries, or melanin in pigmented lesions, which then get fragmented. The pigment particles are then absorbed by the immune system. IPL also exerts a gentle stimulation of collagen production by heating the collagen-producing fibroblasts in the dermis of the skin, stimulating them into action.

Typically, a course of three to five treatments is recommended, depending
on the severity of sun damage or dilated blood vessels, at two to four week
intervals, and there may be some variation in your prescribed treatment plan if the damage is particularly severe. Annual or biannual maintenance sessions are usually recommended.

During treatment, you may feel a very slight sting, like the snapping of a small rubber band, with each pulse. A cooling gel is applied to the skin before the treatment begins, and this minimizes discomfort. Very often, the first treatment is the most uncomfortable. Despite this, IPL treatment is usually well-tolerated. After the treatment, the skin may feel as though it is suffering from sunburn for a few hours, the pigment will become darker and may crust, and there may be slight swelling and blistering. Healing occurs gradually over the following seven to ten days. Skin will be hypersensitive after treatment so there will be a need to avoid prolonged sun exposure and to use a high-factor
sunscreen.

After treatment, skin will feel smoother and have a more even tone, but it will take at least a week for the pigment to be resorbed by the body. It may take several treatments of the programme before a significant difference is seen.