Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do at home to get rid of sun damage, hyperpigmentation, or other skin care concerns, and over-the-counter products only go so far. When you accept that it’s time to call in the professionals to help you tackle those age spots or that sun damage you’ve been dealing with, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa is here to help with an IPL fotofacial treatment.
IPL, or intense pulse light, is a skin care treatment that targets a variety of concerns, such as sun damage, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and more. It results in smoother skin and can remove age spots, freckles, or melasma, using its gentle skin rejuvenation to produce the results you desire. Call us today to learn more about what this treatment can do for you!
What Is a Fotofacial?
A fotofacial, or IPL therapy, uses intense pulsed light therapy, a non-invasive technology that targets red and brown coloration and visible signs of aging in the skin. We use a handheld IPL device that delivers precise bursts of broad-spectrum light to improve skin tone and texture without damaging the surface.
During the treatment, intense pulses of light deeply penetrate the skin. When this happens, the collagen and blood vessels constrict, reducing your skin’s redness and age lines. The treatment has minimal discomfort, and patients may experience some redness and swelling after the procedure. In the weeks following the treatment, patients begin to see the benefits when they look at how much smoother, younger and healthier their skin looks.
What Is the Science Behind IPL?
Intense pulsed light delivers multiple wavelengths of light that target pigment and vascular irregularities beneath the skin’s surface. The light energy gets absorbed by melanin and hemoglobin, heating and breaking down the unwanted pigment or tiny blood vessels. Your body naturally clears away these damaged cells through its lymphatic system. At the same time, the thermal effect stimulates cellular renewal, which can improve overall skin clarity and resilience.
What Conditions Can a Fotofacial Treat?
Sun Damage and Age Spots
Long-term sun exposure can lead to brown spots, blotchiness, and dull skin. IPL for sun damage uses light energy to target and break up excess melanin without harming the surrounding tissue. Fotofacials can also be a good age spot treatment for flat, brown discolorations that appear on the face, chest, and hands.
Freckles and Hyperpigmentation
Freckles and other forms of hyperpigmentation can be genetic or appear due to UV exposure or hormonal shifts. Intense pulsed light can reduce these darker patches by drawing pigment to the surface, where it gradually fades. You can have a more uniform skin tone with repeated treatments.
Rosacea and Facial Redness
IPL for rosacea focuses light energy on the small, dilated vessels under the skin that contribute to redness and inflammation. As the vessels absorb the energy, they shrink and become less noticeable. This approach can help reduce flare-ups and help your skin feel calmer.
Broken Capillaries and Visible Blood Vessels
Small, red veins around the nose, cheeks, or chin often show through the skin and can be hard to conceal. Fotofacial targets these visible capillaries with pulses of light that collapse the vessel walls. Your body then absorbs and clears the treated vessels.
Enlarged Pores
When pores become more visible due to oil buildup, aging, or skin laxity, they can give the skin a rough texture. IPL treatment stimulates collagen around the pore walls, which can tighten the skin and make pores less visible.
Fine Lines and Skin Texture
As collagen production slows down with age, skin starts to lose its firmness and elasticity. IPL encourages collagen remodeling and renewal. Over a series of treatments, the skin can feel firmer and more even, with a noticeable reduction in fine lines. Textural irregularities like rough patches and mild scarring can also soften with time.
What Are the Benefits of IPL Therapy?
Fotofacial treatments are a good, non-invasive way to refresh the skin without a long downtime or aggressive methods. IPL can fit easily into your routine and give you noticeable results without disrupting your week. IPL therapy offers:
- No incisions or injections
- Quick treatment sessions that typically take under an hour
- Gradual, natural-looking improvements without dramatic changes
- Suitability for various areas, including the face, neck, chest, and hands
- Treatment that can complement other skin rejuvenation methods
- Little to no interruption to daily activities after treatment
How to Prepare for a Fotofacial
Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before your appointment, since tanned or sunburned skin increases the risk of irritation. Stop using retinoids, glycolic acid, and other exfoliating products a few days before your treatment, unless we advise otherwise, and keep your skin clean and free of makeup, lotions, or self-tanner on the day of your visit. Let us know if you take medications that increase sensitivity to light, since we may need to adjust your treatment plan. Healthy skin is important for a safe treatment, as is following any instructions we provide before or after your appointment.
What Can I Expect?
The treatment is quick, usually taking around 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy people to fit into their packed schedules. After checking your skin and confirming your settings, we apply a cooling gel to the treatment area to help protect the skin and improve your comfort. You wear protective eyewear during the session while we use a handheld IPL device to deliver flashes of light across the skin. Some areas may feel warm or have a light snapping sensation, and numbing can be used.
IPL improves skin texture, eliminates discoloration, reduces pore size and minimizes wrinkles and fine lines, all in a gradual change over the weeks following the treatment. Several treatments, with a couple of weeks in between, are recommended for most patients.
IPL fotofacials are a part of our Skin Care Program. This program is a range of treatments to help enhance the appearance and health of your skin by collaborating with our team to choose a regular treatment plan that is best for you.
IPL Post-Treatment Experience
After your fotofacial, you might notice some redness and mild swelling, similar to a light sunburn. These effects usually fade within a few hours, though some skin types may experience slight sensitivity for a day or two. Treated pigmentation may darken at first, which is a normal part of the healing process. You may also see some flaking as the discolored spots rise to the surface and gradually shed.
Post-Treatment Care for the Skin
Caring for your skin after an IPL fotofacial protects your results and reduces the chance of irritation. While the treatment requires little to no downtime, following a few simple guidelines can make a noticeable difference in how your skin heals and responds:
- Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of direct sunlight for at least one to two weeks. If you need to be outside, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Hold off on heat: Skip saunas, hot tubs, intense workouts, and hot showers for at least 24 to 48 hours. Excess heat and sweating can increase redness and swelling after treatment.
- Use gentle skincare products: Stick to mild, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers. Avoid exfoliants, retinoids, or acids until your skin fully calms down.
- Do not pick or scrub treated areas: If you notice flaking or darkened spots rising to the surface, let them shed naturally. Picking can lead to irritation or unwanted pigmentation.
- Keep your skin hydrated: Apply a simple moisturizer regularly to support healing and keep your skin barrier strong. Hydrated skin recovers more comfortably and often looks more refreshed.
Let us know if you have questions about any products or ingredients, and we will help you build a routine that supports your skin after treatment.
Treatment Results Timeline
Pigmentation usually begins to darken within the first couple of days, then fades or flakes off as your skin renews. Most patients see visible improvement within one to two weeks, especially in tone and clarity. Each treatment works on a deeper layer of skin, which helps target multiple concerns more effectively. Once you complete your series, we can help you decide how often to come in for maintenance treatments based on your skin.
How Is IPL Different From Laser Treatments?
IPL uses a broad spectrum of light that spreads out across the skin, while lasers deliver a single, focused wavelength to target a specific concern more aggressively. Fotofacials treat multiple skin issues at once, like redness and pigmentation. Laser treatments can be either ablative or non-ablative, meaning some remove layers of skin while others work beneath the surface. IPL does not remove any layers of skin. We typically use IPL for mild to moderate concerns when patients want minimal downtime, and we recommend lasers for deeper wrinkles, scars, or more severe texture issues. Both options have their place, and we help you choose based on what your skin needs and how much recovery time you can manage.
Am I a Candidate for IPL Therapy?
If you have sun-damaged or discolored skin, IPL may be an option for you. This is an excellent treatment to target these problem areas with a quick session and no downtime afterward. If you struggle with large pores, freckles, wrinkles, or rosacea, you should consider calling us to discuss an IPL treatment. People with dark or deeply tanned skin should consult with our specialist about whether IPL would be a good treatment for them.
FAQs About IPL Therapy
Is IPL Painful?
IPL feels like a quick snap or flick of a rubber band against the skin. Some areas may feel more sensitive than others. We apply a cooling gel beforehand to improve your comfort. If you feel anything more than mild discomfort, let us know so we can make adjustments.
Can I Wear Makeup Right After My Treatment?
Wait at least 24 hours before applying makeup after pulsed light therapy, especially if your skin feels warm or sensitive. Let the skin settle and stay moisturized so you do not interfere with the healing process. Once any redness fades, you can return to your normal routine. Just make sure to avoid harsh products, active ingredients or scrubs for a few days.
How Long Do Fotofacial Results Last?
Results vary depending on how your skin responds and how well you protect it from the sun. After a full series, improvements in tone and texture can last for months. Regular maintenance treatments and good skincare habits help preserve the outcome. We can guide you on how often to return based on your goals.
Does IPL Help With Acne?
IPL therapy can help reduce acne in some cases, especially when breakouts come with redness or visible blood vessels. The light energy can target bacteria in the skin while also calming inflammation. It does not replace other acne treatments, but it can support overall skin clarity. We assess your skin carefully to see if you are a good candidate.
What Areas Can IPL Be Used On?
We commonly treat the face, but IPL also works well on the neck, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands. Any area with sun exposure or visible pigmentation can benefit. We customize the treatment based on skin type and sensitivity. Larger areas may take a little more time, but follow the same general process.
Can IPL Be Combined With Other Treatments?
IPL skin rejuvenation works well alongside other non-invasive options like facials, microneedling or light resurfacing. Combining treatments allows us to target multiple concerns more effectively. We space sessions out based on how your skin responds and what results you want. During your consultation, we build a treatment plan that fits your skin’s needs and your schedule.
Why Choose Advanced Aesthetics for IPL Therapy?
With over two decades of experience serving the Las Vegas and Henderson area, we bring both medical expertise and aesthetic precision to every IPL treatment. Our skincare department includes licensed injectors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, PAs, and a Doctor of Nursing, all of whom specialize in a wide range of treatments and know how to customize each session for your skin.
Dr. Tracy Hankins and Dr. Samuel Sohn, both Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, lead our medical team and help ensure safe, effective care at every level. We offer the latest technology, a collaborative approach, and a reputation built on consistency and results. Whether you are visiting from nearby or traveling in from out of state, we provide the kind of care that keeps patients coming back.
Contact Us
If you’re interested in learning more about the IPL fotofacial treatment, contact us at Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa to schedule a consultation at our office, located in Las Vegas, NV. Say goodbye to discoloration and age spots, and say hello to smoother, younger-looking skin. We will assess your skin, discuss your goals, and build a treatment plan that fits both your needs and your lifestyle. Whether you are new to light-based treatments or looking to maintain long-term results, we are here to guide you through the process.
Contact us today at (702) 838-4644 to get started.
