Lumecca IPL
LUMECCA IPL
Treat Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Pigmentation with Lumecca IPL
Intense Pulse Light Therapy or IPL is used for the improvement of age-associated loss of skin tone and elasticity and pigment discolorations due to sun exposure, aging, broken capillaries, rosacea, brown spots, enlarged pores, and telangiectasia. Lumecca IPL applies a specifically selected customizable broad spectrum of visible and near-infrared light to the skin to target vascular lesions, blood vessels, or melanin. This stimulates your body’s natural healing process to remove affected tissue resulting in rejuvenation of your skin to provide a more healthy youthful appearance. While it targets pigmentation concerns, it can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and textural concerns. It is not effective on deep wrinkles or sagging skin and is also contraindicated in persons with melasma.
How are treatments performed?
At the time of your consultation, you will be provided specific instructions on recommended skin care regimens to follow which usually consist of bleaching treatments with either hydroquinone or non-hydroquinone products for at least two weeks. We also recommend avoiding sun exposure for several weeks prior to the procedure. Following the preparation, recommendations help minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in the treatment areas.
About 30–45 minutes prior to the treatment a topical anesthetic will be applied to the skin. Following this the IPL treatment will begin, lasting about 30-45 minutes depending on the treatment area. For any breakthrough discomfort that may occur, a special combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen will be available for use at the patient’s discretion. This anesthetic has a rapid onset but is short-acting. This means you will be able to drive home safely without the need for a ride home. Following the treatment, special preparation will be applied to the treatment area that is specific to your skin.
LUMECCA IPL FAQs
IPL can safely treat Fitzpatrick skin types 1-3 with chronic facial redness caused by rosacea or dilated blood vessels as well as liver spots and areas of sun damage. Treatment areas include the face, neck, chest, and hands.
There is minimal to no downtime involved with the Lumecca IPL Photofacial. Patients may resume normal activities and apply makeup immediately following the procedure. It is very important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30+ on treatment areas after the procedure.
Initially you may see an increase in pigmentation as your skin is going through its healing process, this is to be expected. However, after about 2-3 weeks you will start to see improvements. IPL treatments are usually recommended in sets of 3-5 spaced about 3-4 weeks apart. Once your baseline has been achieved it will be recommended to perform maintenance treatments every 4-6 months for continued results. We will also recommend a skincare regimen to optimize your desired results that will begin 1-2 days after your treatment. You may even be recommended a chemical peel about 2-3 weeks after your treatment to further enhance results. It is important to remember that IPL treatments focus on pigmentation concerns as well as fine lines and wrinkles but does not address sagging or lax skin or deep wrinkles.
If you suffer from melasma, you are not a candidate as this may increase your hyperpigmentation. If you have or had skin cancer in the treatments are areas less than a year ago you are not a candidate.
Expected side effects of IPL treatment are redness, swelling, and sometimes bruising in treatment areas. These side effects will usually resolve in about a week. Risks may include hyperpigmentation.