What is Intense Pulsed Light Treatment?
Intense Pulsed Light is light treatment like a laser that is specific for brown spots of the skin and blood vessels. Depending on the size of the blood vessels and the darkness of the brown spots, different settings will be used to target these specifically.
Dr. Janiga recommends Intense Pulsed Light for men and women who want to improve the overall appearance of the skin by decreasing redness, visible blood vessels, and sunspots, this is called a photofacial. Intense Pulsed Light does stimulate some collagen and gives an overall refreshed appearance when the entire face is treated.
Some patients are curious about the difference between IPL and photofacials. A photofacial is when you use IPL on the entire face to treat sun damage, sun spots, blood vessels and stimulate collagen. It takes 15-30 minutes. IPL is the laser used to do the photofacial. IPL can be used to treat blood vessels alone or sun spots alone in patients that do not have both, or do not desire the treatment of both. In fact, IPL can be used to treat one solitary blood vessel or sun spot taking only a few minutes.
The Procedure
Topical medication is not generally needed for this laser, but if you have a low tolerance for pain or prefer numbing medication for 20-30 minutes, we are happy to provide that service. Most people describe the laser as like the “snap of a rubber band” and not painful.
IPL is most commonly used on the face, neck, chest and arms. Blood vessels or sunspots in all of these areas are treated very successfully with Intense Pulsed Light. Veins on the legs cannot be treated with this laser and will require a more specific laser for leg veins.
Intense Pulsed Light treatments take approximately 15-30 minutes per body area, depending on the extent of blood vessels, redness, or sunspots, but is extended if topical medication is used.
IPL Treatment with Darci Page
IPL laser treatment is a quick and effective way to address a variety of skin conditions.
At Janiga MDs, Dr. Timothy Janiga specializes in plastic surgery and Dr. Jennifer Janiga specializes in dermatology, giving their practice a unique, comprehensive perspective on their patients’ cosmetic needs in the Reno, Nevada area.
Recovery & Results
Most people do not experience pain or discomfort with Intense Pulsed Light or photofacials. There is usually some redness and swelling for two to six hours after treatment. Bruising, although rare with this laser, may happen with some people, especially those on blood thinners, aspirin or ibuprofen. If this happens it can last between three and seven days depending on the size of the bruise and how fast each individual heals.
Usually there is no downtime with Intense Pulsed Light. If you are a public person or have important meetings to attend, we suggest not scheduling those in the first 3 days after your treatment until Dr. Janiga can see how you as an individual respond to this treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
For more information or to set up a consultation with Dr. Jennifer Janiga or Darci Page, RN for Intense Pulsed Light treatments in the comfort of our South Reno office, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.
