Photofacial Treatments in Philadelphia
Photofacials at Metro Laser
Photofacials are also known as photorejuvenation and use broad spectrum, intense pulsed light (IPL) or LED technology on specialized professional light emitting devices to rejuvenate skin.
Photofacial technology can treat a broad array of mild to moderate skin issues without abrasion or any invasive skin disruption.
Photofacials are a safe and effective means to improve skin issues primarily related to pigmentation and capillaries such as spots, freckles, and rosacea. However, photofacial technology is often used by professionals to generally improve even normal skin.
What Is a Photofacial And How Does It Work?
The broad spectrum light emitted by professional photofacial devices is powerful enough to penetrate through the upper layers of skin and become absorbed by the second layer of skin (dermis). Wherever that layer of skin contains excess pigmentation (melanin), those tissues are heated to a point that chemical compositions of the pigment change. This causes the skin to flush these altered pigmented tissues leaving the area looking more like the skin around it.
The light from photofacial devices also heats hemoglobin and causes capillary blood vessels to constrict or close off. This is how photofacials can also address issues caused by swollen blood vessels such as those found with Rosacea.
What Do Photofacials Work Best For?
Photofacials are great for improvements such as:
- A boost in collagen production
- Smoother skin texture
- A more even complexion
- Reduction of redness
- Fewer brown spots
- Improvement in sun damage
Photofacials might be used alone or as part of our broader array of skin treatments for improvement of:
- Blotchy skin
- Broken capillaries and facial veins
- Brown spots, including age and liver spots
- Discoloration
- Facial flushing
- Melasma
- Freckles
- Redness
- Rosacea
- Some forms of lines and wrinkles
Additional Notes:
- Photofacial treatments are usually the best way to address sun damage for people with lighter skin tones.
- Photofacials are often used very successfully for patients with persistent and active acne.
- Photofacials can be used for moderate to severe rosacea but can also be used for mild and common capillary issues such as those often found around the nose.
- There is some evidence that photofacials can actually prevent premature aging of the skin.
- Photofacials compliment other anti-aging treatments very well such as injectables and fillers.
- Photofacials provide dramatic results with less downtime compared to deep chemical peels.
What Are Photofacials Like? Does It Hurt?
The photofacial experience depends on the technology used in your treatment. When we use IPL, there can be some mild snapping or stinging with each flash. Most patients say that IPL on some areas of the skin can hardly be felt while others, such as near the lips, have much more noticeable “sting”. The vast majority of patients find IPL very tolerable, with mild discomfort but not painful. The effect after treatment often leaves the skin feeling similar to a mild to moderate sunburn for a couple of days afterward.
During an IPL session, you’ll be wearing medical protective goggles over your eyes. The session will take between 30 to 60 minutes depending on how much area is treated (photofacial can be used for more than just the face). Some photofacial treatments also involve one or more skin cooling methods such as a cooling gel before hand and a cooling device application during the treatment.
What Parts Of The Body Is Photofacial Good For?
Photofacials can be used almost anywhere on the body except those very close to the eyes.
Besides the face, most patients who can benefit from photofacial commonly get treatments on the neck, upper chest, shoulders and backs of hands. Like the face, these areas are most prone to sun damage and pigmentation issues.
How Many Photofacial Treatments Do I Need?
While you might notice improvement even after your first procedure, results are cumulative. Most people need a course of five to eight sessions for the best results. The treatments should be spaced around three weeks apart to allow the skin time to heal and rejuvenate.
You will be able to see gradual improvement after each procedure. At first, your skin will be smoother and more even. Then, you will start noticing that the brown spots are getting lighter, while the redness is fading away. After finishing your treatment course, it is best to have maintenance procedures every six months or so. Thisl ensures that you maintain optimal results.
What's The Difference Between Photofacial And Other Skin Treatments?
Most professional skin rejuvenation treatments have one thing in common in that they aim to disrupt one of more layer of skin in such a way that the body is able to heal and rejuvenate those areas to an extent that is healthier that before. However, the skin is a complex organ with many components. So there is no single skin treatment that addresses every concern the same or is suitable for every patient’s individual needs.
Some skin treatments are “ablative” in that they actually remove layers of skin and are more invasive. Some skin treatments are better suited to tightening through collagen production.
Additionally, some laser based skin treatments which are similar and often confused with IPL Photofacials tend to be based on the use of focused light which create perforations in the top layers of the skin.
Generally, focused laser-based treatments are more commonly used when a patient has more dramatic need for resurfacing results that address issues such as acne scars which are too pronounced to benefit from other treatment types.
Photofacial is an excellent treatment type for cases which do not require resurfacing or the repair of skin texture and where pigment or capillary visibility needs improvement.
At Metro Laser, we pride ourselves in paying close attention to each of our individual patient’s needs so that we can suggest the safest, most effective treatment or combination of treatments for your needs.
What To Know Before Getting A Photofacial
- Photofacials are usually not suitable for tanned skin or naturally dark skin. Avoid tanning for several weeks prior to treatment. Talk to our skin rejuvenation professionals to see if your skin tone will be conducive to photofacial. If we find that your skin is not well suited to this treatment, we will be able to recommend another course of treatment for darker skin types.
- General avoidance of sun exposure is recommended before and after your treatment. Your skincare professional at Metro Laser will give you more specifics prior to treatment.
- Photofacials are not recommended for skin with eczema or psoriasis.
- We will help you understand which topical products to use and which to avoid for the immediate time before and after your treatment.
- Photofacial may not be suitable for you if you are on certain kinds of antibiotics. If you are on any antibiotics, we will be able to determine if it is safe for you to get photofacial or if you’ll need to wait until your course of medication is complete.
Still Have Questions?
Schedule a free consultation and ask your skin specialist at Metrolaser how our skin treatments might work for you.
Give us a call at one of our 3 locations or fill out the Consultation Request Form below to get started!
Results and patient experience may vary.
