These days, there are many people who just get way too intense. Whether it’s about politics or whatever else they want to blather on about, they get too close when they’re talking to you. They get overly excited when pushing their viewpoint on you. Just too intense to be around very much.   

But there is one area where you want intensity. That’s your facial skin and Intense Pulsed Light. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is also known as an IPL photofacial and is great for transforming red, blotchy skin into a radiant complexion at Dr. Barrera’s Houston practice. 

What is IPL photofacial? 

An IPL photofacial is a 30-minute procedure where intense pulses of light are used to penetrate deeply into the skin. This penetration causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness, age lines, and age spots. 

When the light energy is directed downward onto the targeted areas, the IPL energy is absorbed by the blood vessels, and the heat causes the walls to collapse and close off, lessening redness. For age spots, the melanin in the darker spots absorbs the light energy, which causes melanin to break up. The darker spot becomes darker initially, and then it peels off. This fully removes the spot or else dramatically lessens its appearance. 

Would a photofacial be right for me? 

If you have blotchy, sun-damaged, discolored skin IPL can be a good option. Also, if you have large pores, freckles, or small wrinkles an IPL photofacial can help. 

The procedure is best if you aren’t overly tanned. People with white, untanned skin that still has good elasticity are perfect for IPL photofacials. You need to know that IPL isn’t that effective on heavy facial lines or severe acne scarring. But for the right conditions, IPL photofacials improve skin texture, eliminate discoloration areas, reduce pore size, and can minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Also, if you have rosacea, a condition that causes blotchy redness on the face, a photofacial can help. 

How it works 

IPL systems work on the same principles as lasers in that light energy is absorbed by targeted skin cells with color (chromophores). The light energy is converted to heat energy that damages cells in the targeted area. The same thing happens with unwanted hair. The melanin in the hair shaft absorbs the light energy, which converts to heat. This heat travels down the hair shaft into the hair follicle, damaging or destroying it and precluding future hair growth. 

Dr. Barrera’s IPL system uses filters to refine the energy output for treatment of certain areas. This enables the targeting of specific chromophores. 

•     Red handpiece — Reduces unwanted brown or black hairs throughout the body. Usually, an initial series of four to five treatments is recommended.
•     Green handpiece — Reduces flushing and spider veins in the face, neck, and décolletage. Also removes brown spots across the body. Brown spots become darker for a week to 10 days before starting to go away.
•     Yellow handpiece — Removes brown spots and reduces brown and black hairs.

Because IPL penetrates deeper into the skin’s dermis layer, rather than treating the epidermis ablatively, the procedure is non-invasive and doesn’t require any recovery time. Results build over time. 

Are you tired of those age spots and spider veins? Let’s get rid of them with IPL. Call Dr. Barrera at (713) 468-5200 to schedule an appointment.