FYI Cosmetics

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is one of the many non-invasive aesthetic laser devices available to practitioners and patients for skin and body rejuvenation. IPL technology is similar to true laser technology in that it emits a concentrated beam of laser light, but while true lasers target and treat at one specific wavelength depth, intense pulsed light reaches and treats many different skin depths by emitting multiple wavelengths of light. While this makes IPL less effective for some aesthetic treatments such as tattoo removal and cellulite reduction, it makes it more useful for aesthetic procedure such as skin tightening and skin rejuvenation. When considering any aesthetic treatment, speak with your practitioner beforehand about the laser devices being used; be sure you are undergoing treatment with the most precise laser technology available.

Skin Tightening/Skin Rejuvenation

Skin tightening and skin rejuvenation techniques with the IPL laser are always very effective for tightening loose and sagging skin, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, and giving the skin a smoother, more uniform appearance. When the intense pulsed light laser is passed over the treatment area it penetrates through the outer layers of skin and targets multiple depths in the dermis layers below. The laser energy transforms into heat and that heat causes localized damage to the lower tissue layers. The damage caused by the heat of the laser effectively stimulates the natural growth of collagen within the skin.

Collagen is one of the natural building blocks of our skin—it is what gives the skin its smooth, firm appearance. As men and women age, their collagen growth within the skin slowly decreases, it is this decrease that causes the formation of wrinkles, fine lines and loose and sagging skin. By stimulating collagen growth, the IPL treatments effectively fill in fine lines and wrinkles from the inside out. This is the most effective method for rejuvenating and tightening loose and lax skin.

Permanent Hair Reduction

When performing skin tightening procedures, many practitioners realized that one of the side effects of the IPL treatment was the reduction of hair in the treatment area. There are several lasers currently on the market for the reduction of unwanted hair, and all but the intense pulsed light laser are true lasers. True lasers utilize one continuous wavelength of light which can accurately reach and treat hair at specific depths. The IPL laser can also treat and remove unwanted hair, but because it penetrates the skin at multiple wavelengths, treatments are not as precise. Now this isn’t to say that patients can’t see hair reduction success with the IPL laser, it simply means that on average, patients will have to undergo several more treatments with IPL technology than with true laser technology.

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Whether undergoing skin rejuvenation or hair removal treatments, know that after a series of intense pulsed light treatments, you will experience safe, effective results that last. Consult with your practitioner today and discover if aesthetic treatments with IPL are right for you.

Freckles, whether on the face or body, are something that most individuals experience, at least to some degree. Genetics and heredity play a large role in the outward appearance of our skin, but sun exposure and other harsh daily elements can also cause the pigment of our skin to change. While freckles are generally harmless, more and more men and women are looking for ways to remove unwanted freckles. There are several skin rejuvenation techniques for freckle removal currently available that can help you to restore clear, blemish free skin with lasting results.

Freckles are easily identifiable on the skin because they are small, flat and round, usually uniform in color and appear darker than the surrounding skin pigment. Freckle formation is due to cells called melanocytes—they generate an increased amount of melanin in the skin. When an increased amount of melanin exists, it collects abnormally in specific areas of the skin which leads to the formation of freckles. Freckles, for the most part, begin their development around the age of two, and while some individuals are genetically predisposed to freckles (many redheads will have overly freckly skin) it is repeated sun exposure that most often initiates and enhances their appearance. Freckles are not cancerous in nature and it is not medically necessary to remove them, but men and women often choose to remove unwanted freckles purely for aesthetic reasons.

When figuring out how to remove your unwanted freckles, it is important to take into consideration that there are two distinct types of freckles. The first type are called ephelides, the second type are called solar lentigines. Ephelides are also known as simple freckles; these are the freckles individuals are genetically inclined to get and therefore are harder (but not impossible) to remove. Solar lentigines are also known as sunburn freckles and because they are caused by sun exposure, they are more superficial and therefore easier to remove. While freckles most often appear on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, arms and hands, they can be seen anywhere; and can be removed from anywhere.

There are several treatments currently available designed to help remove unwanted freckles. These include:

Bleaching Agents: Bleaching agents specifically designed for freckle removal are not intended to bleach the skin; instead they work to inhibit the production of melanin which stops freckles from forming on the face and body. However, because the bleach is used on the entire skin area (not just the freckles) it sometimes tends to lighten the skin so it is not the most effective method.

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels work on many different levels to rejuvenate the face by removing the outer layers of skin. By removing dead skin cells and rejuvenating the face, blemishes are lightened which allows the skin to take on a more uniform appearance.

Laser/IPL Treatments: Laser and light based treatments for freckle removal are the most advanced treatment methods for unwanted freckles. The laser light attracts to the melanin in the freckles; the light energy then transforms into heat which effectively fragments the melanin particles which are naturally re-absorbed and expelled by the body’s immune system. A series of laser treatments can drastically reduce the appearance of unwanted freckles.

If you find that freckles are starting to form on your face and body and are searching for ways to stop it, the best freckle removal technique will always be prevention; work hard to stop the freckles before they start. Freckle formation prevention is very simple, just wear sunscreen. By protecting your skin from sun exposure, you’ll surely slow down (or even stop all together) the formation of unwanted freckles. Wear SPF 30 or higher every single day, whether in direct sunlight or not, to help keep your skin clear and blemish free.

Whether you are interested in prevention or are interested in how to remove your unwanted freckles, consider all of your treatment alternatives so that you can find the freckle removal technique that works best for you.