IPL

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment uses light to produce heat and break down pigments in your skin. With IPL treatment at The Total You Medical Spa, Kimberly Johnston and her skilled team of medical professionals can eliminate the spots, blemishes, and body hair on any skin area. To book your IPL treatment consultation, call any of the three offices in Houston, Texas, or request an appointment online today.

What is IPL treatment?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment is a therapeutic skin procedure that targets and minimizes pigmented spots and marks. Also called a photofacial, IPL treatment uses a form of scattered light with many wavelengths, so it appears white in color. Much like camera flashes, these light pulses are bright and brief.

The light from the IPL device targets pigment particles in the skin and causes them to break apart into tinier pieces. The light reaches the second layer of your skin, where it reaches the pigment, without harming the epidermis (surface layer). This means minimal irritation for your skin during the recovery process.

When it reaches the deeper layers of your skin, the light turns into heat, damaging the pigmented particles. IPL can also target hair follicles to slow down hair growth permanently.

What does IPL treatment do?

Suppose you have a particularly uneven skin tone or specific marks or blemishes you want to treat. In that case, the team examines them during your IPL treatment consultation at The Total You Medical Spa. You can use IPL anywhere on the body to lighten or remove:

• Freckles
• Age spots
• Birthmarks
• Sun damage
• Vascular lesions
• Rosacea
• Body hair

It takes between three and six treatments with IPL to get the results you want to see. The team determines the number of treatments you’ll need after examining you during your consultation. 

If you have other goals or if IPL treatment isn’t the best option for you for any reason, the team might suggest alternative skin treatments.

How should I prepare for IPL treatment?

To get the outstanding results you want from your IPL treatment and minimize the potential for any side effects or complications, you should follow the team’s detailed instructions as you prepare for your procedure.  

Leading up to the day of your appointment for treatment, you should avoid:

• Collagen injections
• Chemical peels
• Hair removal waxes
• Tanning beds
• Direct sunlight
• Medications that increase bleeding, like aspirin
• Vitamin A creams

It would help if you informed the team of skin conditions like eczema or inflammatory acne. They might suggest treating your inflammation before you undergo IPL treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about IPL treatment and find out if you’re a good candidate, call The Total You Medical Spa for an appointment or book online today.