
IPL PHOTOFACIAL
What is an IPL Photofacial?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) Photofacial is a laser light treatment that targets pigment issues, such as dark or brown spots, age spots, and red spots, to name a few. The bright light passes through the epidermis, drawing out the dark spots and dispersing the uneven red pigment. IPL photofacial can be used on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back arms, legs and just about anywhere else. Photofacial is also an effective treatment for broken veins and spider veins. According to Stanford Medical University, the long-term effects of photofacial actually reverse the signs of aging.
A photofacial, or fotofacial, also known as photorejuvenation, is a treatment touted to reverse sun damage, even out facial color as well as improve tone and texture in the process. In other words, photofacial treatments reportedly:
​
-
tighten pores
-
reduce the severity of acne
-
reduce the appearance of or eliminate sun spots and freckles
-
lessen hyperpigmentation
-
treat skin flushing and skin redness
-
reduce the appearance of scars (acne, chickenpox, etc.)
-
reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
-
reverse sun damage
-
treat vascular lesions (broken capillaries, blood vessels, telangiectasia, rosacea)
-
improve facial contour
-
tighten skin
-
boost collagen and elastin production
Before & After (Slider)



*Individual results may vary. Unretouched photos of actual patient.



*Individual results may vary. Unretouched photos of actual patient.
During the IPL Photofacial appointment
​
Your aesthetician will thoroughly cleanse your skin, so you can either come with or without makeup. After the skin is clean, the aesthetician will apply a cool gel to your skin, which enhances the effect of the light waves. The aesthetician moves the laser over the skin in a grid-like pattern, flashing the light about every centimeter. Depending on your need, the aesthetician may go over the area multiple times.
Post IPL Photofacial treatment
After the treatment, the aesthetician will again clean the skin, removing the gel. You will likely be slightly red and puffy, but there is no major recourse or down time. You are free to reapply make up right away and return to your normal skin care routine. Be sure to stay out of the sun for at least the next week and be consistent in sun screen application.
Contraindications/ Risks/ Common concerns for IPL Photofacial
​
As with any aesthetic treatment, there are risks, however, this is why you should only trust an experienced and licensed aesthetician. Clients with melasma will experience a darkening in those areas and should not be treated. Those who have been on a strong antibiotic or Accutane should not receive treatment until six months after the last treatment.
-
Will I look overdone?BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a techniquesensitive treatment. You should not lose the ability to show expression when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained, and a medical expert in facial anatomy. It is important to talk to your provider about the results you want from treatment.
-
Does the treatment hurt?Some patients report that being injected with BOTOX® Cosmetic feels like a pinch. Your provider may use ice to numb the treatment area. If you are concerned about discomfort, your provider may apply a topical numbing cream before administering your treatment.
-
How long does treatment take?The treatment takes approximately 10 minutes and requires minimal downtime or recovery—it’s often called a lunchtime procedure.
-
What were common side effects seen in clinical studies?Three percent of patients experienced eyelid drooping in the frown lines studies and 1% of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the crow’s feet studies. Other possible side effects include: discomfort or pain at the injection site; headache; and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and swelling of your eyelids. These are not all of the possible serious side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic.
-
What is the Most Important Information I Should Know About BOTOX® Cosmetic?BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic: ​ • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months. •Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing. ​ There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines, crow’s feet lines or both at the same time. ​ BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of taking BOTOX® Cosmetic. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. ​ BOTOX® Cosmetic dosing units are not the same as, or comparable to, any other botulinum toxin product.
-
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?BOTOX® Cosmetic is prescription medicine a medical professional injects into muscles to temporarily improve the look of both moderate to severe crow’s feet lines and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults.
-
Who Should Not Use BOTOX® Cosmetic?Do not use BOTOX® Cosmetic if you are: allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic such as botulinum toxin type A and human serum albumin; had an allergic reaction to another botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA); or have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
-
What Should I Tell My Doctor Before Treatment?Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects. Tell your doctor if you have or have had bleeding issues; plan to or have had surgery; have forehead muscle weakness such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; or any changes to your face. ​ Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breast feed. It is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby or if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk.
-
What Are Common Side Effects?The most common side effects include temporary injection site pain; weakening of adjacent facial muscles; drooping eyelids; swelling eyelids; and headache. Other side effects, while less common, have been reported including blurred vision, double vision and allergic reactions (itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, dizziness or feeling faint).
-
What Should I tell My Doctor About Medicines and Vitamins I Take?Using BOTOX® Cosmetic with certain medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX® Cosmetic in the past. Tell your doctor if you have received an injection with another botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months, such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin®. Be sure your doctor knows which product you received. ​ Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take including: vitamins and herbal products; recent antibiotic injections; anticholinergics; muscle relaxants; allergy or cold medicine; sleep medicine; aspirin-like products; and blood thinners. Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether your medicine is listed above.