There are many cosmetic procedures available today to rejuvenate facial skin. Among the most popular are photofacial treatments, meaning those non-invasive procedures that use light in some form or fashion to treat a wide variety of skin conditions and leave a refreshed, younger-looking appearance to the skin.
Light Therapy for the Face
Light therapy has become increasingly popular as a means to fight off the signs of aging, as well as dealing with unsightly, painful or potentially harmful skin conditions. Light therapy uses extremely bright lights, often using infrared light or laser energy to combat issues like sagging skin, lines and wrinkles, inflammation or acne, just to name a few.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
PDT or photodynamic therapy uses light or laser energy to eradicate damaged skin cells, such as acne, rosacea and even precancerous skin cells called actinic keratosis.
The skin in the targeted area is covered with a prescription cream or solution that makes the skin cells sensitive to light. The damaged cells are destroyed and your normal skin tissue is left smoother and clearer with a healthy glow.
You may feel mild discomfort, but the procedure is not painful for most patients. One of the biggest benefits of PDT is the ability to destroy small precancerous cells not yet visible to the naked eye. There is no other procedure in which this can be accomplished.
The cream or solution typically remains active for up to 48 hours following your treatment. Therefore, special care must be taken not to expose your skin to any sunlight at all, not even briefly, as the light can activate the topical solution remaining on your skin.
After 24 hours, you’ll be able to apply makeup again, if so desired. After 48 hours, you’re generally able to resume your regular skin care routine.
Cost of PDT treatments vary from one patient to another. All the details are generally provided during your initial consultation, including the final cost of your treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™)
Photofacials that use intense pulsed light (IPL™) are effective to help get rid of issues with skin pigment, such as rosacea, red spots, and brown spots caused by sun damage, and other hyperpigmentation issues. It can also lessen the appearance of broken veins or spider veins.
As multiple wavelengths of light are pulsed into the skin, they’re converted into heat energy and are capable of destroying the overactive melanin cells that are causing the darkened areas on the skin.
The dark spots rise to the surface of the skin where they eventually flake off, leaving you with a youthful glow and gorgeous, radiant skin.
While there’s no downtime required for recovery, it’s important to stay away from direct sunlight for at least a week and to be diligent about using sunscreen as instructed by your doctor.
While costs may vary between physicians, regions of the country and the number of treatments required, the average cost of a single IPL™ treatment ranges from $700 to $1200. Cost can also be impacted depending on the condition you’re treating and the size of the area to be treated.
You may find your best results can be seen after three to five treatments, scheduled about a month apart. IPL™ treatments are beneficial to almost any skin type, although it’s generally not recommended for treating melasma or for patients with a tan or darker skin tones.
For more information, or to schedule a consultation about light therapy, contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
The team at OBI BioAesthetic Institute invites you to bridge the best you, from the inside – out. Call today 904-273-5454 to schedule your personalized Aesthetic Medicine consultation with Gerrie M. Obi, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CPSN.
