IPL
Facial ageing is a multifaceted, multifactorial process involving increased pigmentation, vascularity, rhytids as well as reduced dermal and subdermal volume and orbital hollowness. For pigmentation and vascularity concerns Intense Pulse Light is an effective treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a relatively new technology where a flash lamp emits a broad spectrum of high intensity incoherent light that is subsequently absorbed by oxyhemoglobin deoxyhemoglobin and melanin. The absorbed light is converted to heat and destroys the target pigment through a process of photothermolysis.
Here at Main Street Skin Clinic all pigmented lesions are assessed prior to treatment by a medical doctor to ensure safe application of this technology. We suggest topical anaesthetic cream to improve patient comfort, which we use with a cooled lightguide and topical gel. IPL is administered using Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT), gauging the response of the skin to the energy as well as clinical endpoints at each step of the way. Cooling and sunscreen are applied after each session. The more sun smart you are moving forward, the longer lasting the results. We recommend annual maintenance therapy, however this can be stretched out to 3 years with sun-smarts.
Erythema, swelling and heat follow every session and the skin remains inflamed for a few days post procedure. There is patient variability here. Some patients may experience post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and this may take months to resolve. Scarring and hypopigmentation may also occur and may be permanent. Ideally, 2-4 sessions are required to remove most lesions, and for the most stubborn lesions we may recruit a photoacoustic laser. One month is recommended between each session.
Before and after multiple sessions
