IPL Photorejuvenation in Kelowna
(Intense Pulsed Light)
Years of intentional or unintentional sunlight exposure accumulates in our skin in the form of wrinkles, brown pigment spots, redness due to broken capillaries, and rough skin. Thanks to a revolutionary innovation in light technology, we have a safe and non-invasive way to help restore the skin’s youthful appearance.
Traditional laser resurfacing and deep chemical peels, while effective for reducing the signs of aging, are associated with significant recovery time and risk of complication. IPL Photorejuvenation does not involve any breach of the skin’s outer layer, thus resulting in a low risk of complication and ideal for people who cannot afford any downtime.
Although treatment with the IPL is most commonly performed on the face, neck, and hands, it can be performed on any part of the body. It has also been used to improve the texture and appearance of scars, including those caused by acne. It is a recognized and effective treatment for the redness of rosacea.
How does IPL work?
IPL technology uses broad spectrum light in the visible and near infrared range from 515nm to about 1200nm. Targets in the skin such as the pigment in age spots and the blood cells in broken capillaries pick up the heat from this transmitted light and break down. The body then either absorbs the remaining fragments or they are sloughed off in the normal skin cycle.
A series of 3 – 5 treatments is usually prescribed. The energy parameters are gentle, keeping in mind our desire for a non-invasive, no downtime method of rejuvenation. The energy is, however, increased with each visit to progressively treat deeper or larger targets.
How is the treatment done?
A layer of cooling gel is applied over the affected area, and the patient dons a pair of protective goggles. A small handpiece is placed gently on the skin and the light is transmitted in pulses controlled by the operator to cover the area of desired treatment. The sensation with each pulse of the laser is like the snapping of a rubber band over the skin, and is generally well tolerated without the use of any analgesia. However, a topical anaesthetic can be applied prior to treatment.
A typical treatment over the entire face takes about 20 minutes. After the treatment, the gel is wiped off and routine activities can resume.
There may be mild redness, which is generally short-lived, and areas of pigmentation can become darker before sloughing off in a weeks time. Treatments are generally spaced 3 weeks apart, and results start to show after the first or second treatment.
For further information on Kelowna IPL photorejuvenation treatments, make an appointment with one of our specialists who can evaluate your skin and give you realistic expectations on what IPL can do for you.
