
IPL Photo Rejuvenation
Intense Pulse Light (IPL), also known as ‘Photofacial’, uses light energy to improve the color and texture of the skin. It can be used to treat a range of conditions at the same time including but not limited to discoloration, melasma, the appearance of veins, scars, and port wine stains. It can be performed anywhere on the face or body.

Pre-treatment
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Avoid sun exposure (apply sunscreen daily and do not tan at all – including self-tanner) for 4 to 6 weeks before and after treatments.
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Do not use any retinol products (or products containing tretinoin) or exfoliants on the area to be treated for one week.
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Avoid Accutane (or isotretinoin products) for 6 months prior.
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Let your practitioner know if you have a history of hyperpigmentation.
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If you have a history of fever blisters, notify your practitioner. We may need to write you a prescription for a prophylactic antiviral therapy to start on there days before your treatment to prevent a flare up of cold sores.
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You must notify the practitioner if you have had any cosmetic tattooing on or near the area to be treated.
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Photosensitizing medications including doxycycline and minocycline should be discontinued one week prior to the treatment.
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Anticipate a social “down-time” of 2-5 days before any redness, swelling and skin sloughing has subsided.
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Come to your appointment with clean skin, free of makeup and moisturizers.
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It is imperative that you avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
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Avoid applying self-tanner for 2 weeks prior to treatment.
Post Treatment
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Apply cool pack [not frozen] to treated site immediately after treatment. Apply cool pack 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off for the first 24 hours and as needed to minimize swelling.
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Avoid hot baths and showers, massage, harsh cleansers, and strenuous exercise for 48 hours following treatment.
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If scabs appear after blistering, they should be kept soft with a lubricating cream [Aquaphor or Vaseline]. Blistered or ulcerated skin may be treated with an antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin or burn treatment cream. If crusting occurs, avoid picking at it. Picking can cause scarring.
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Moisturize with Aloe Vera gel or any light fragrance-free moisturizer like Cetaphil, after the first 48 hours.
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Avoid using skin irritants, Retina-A, Benzyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid, and astringents on the treated areas for one week before and one week after treatment. Chemical peels are not recommended throughout treatment series.
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Use high factor sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. A good sun block will contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Tanning after treatment may cause hyper-pigmentation.
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Fillers or other injectables should not be done within 2 weeks before/after treatment.
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Do not wax, tweeze or use a depilatory to the treated areas for 1 week after your treatment.
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Treated lentigines usually darken after treatment and crusting begins to form within a few days. This crusting usually resolves in 1 to 3 weeks and should be allowed to naturally flake off.
Contact us if:
If you have any other side effect you feel is important, or if you feel distressed or worried in any way about your results.