Shed New Light on Problem Skin

There is a way to shed new light on old skin problems, from unwanted hair to age spots and fine wrinkles thanks to advances in Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, or IPL. The laser treatment, in fact, is gaining popularity because of the results that can come with little or no down time from your home or office.

IPL is known by many names, including MultiLight, Light Laser, Photo Laser, or computer controlled light therapy. Regardless of the name, IPL basically uses a machine that produces a broad-spectrum light beam that can be directed precisely on the location of an unwanted skin condition or abnormality.

Different strobes are for different folks

Different machines produce different wavelengths that will treat different conditions. In all cases, though, there is no long recovery time from burns or blisters. So life can go on right after treatment is completed, unlike with dermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing.

Conditions it can be used to treat include:

• Age and liver spots and port wine stains

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• White blotches caused by low pigmentation

• Unwanted hair removal

• Spider veins and broken capillaries

• Tattoos

• Large pores

• Varicose veins

• Freckles

• Facial flushing and redness

Treatment can include a topical anesthetic. Then the technician or doctor will apply a cool gel and a glass prism is place over the treatment site through which light pulses pass.

Treatments usually require repeating this procedure a number of times every three or four weeks. The patient may see some pinkness at the treated area and possibly some swelling. They should use a maximum sunscreen following each session.

Not everyone can or should take advantage of IPL, including people with diabetes or those who don’t react well to burns or are prone to excess scaring. Check with your doctor before undertaking any IPL treatments.