Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)


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Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

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Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
Is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Safe?
Where Can IPL Therapy Be Used?
How Long Do Results Produced By IPL Therapy Last?
Your IPL Therapy Treatment
Post Treatment Instructions

What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy?
Every year, millions of patients visit plastic surgeons for help reducing fine facial lines and wrinkles, eliminating persistent red complexion and skin discoloration, and improving acne scars, large pores, and other blemishes. Treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing have been used to improve these types of conditions. Now, a new kind of treatment called Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is available to rejuvenate your facial appearance without damaging the sensitive outer layer of facial skin.

IPL therapy, also called photorejuvenation, uses intense pulses of broadband light to smooth and tighten the facial skin and remove age spots, freckles, and visible blood vessels. Unlike the narrow band light of lasers, the light used in IPL is delivered to the deeper parts of the skin (the dermis) and does not damage the surface (the epidermis) of the skin. Therefore, no recovery time is needed and a larger area of skin can be treated at one time. The thermal effect of IPL also causes production of new collagen, leading to improvement in wrinkles.

IPL therapy is available only in the offices of qualified plastic surgeons such as the doctors of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The doctors and staff of the Institute will help you determine which facial rejuvenation treatment will most effectively deliver the results you desire.

Is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Safe?
IPL therapy delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light that is different from the narrow band light of lasers. Because the intense light is delivered to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis) and leaves the superficial layer of the skin (epidermis) untouched, IPL therapy does not damage the surface of the skin. Therefore, it is considered safer than traditional forms of facial rejuvenation such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing.

Where Can IPL Therapy Be Used?
IPL therapy is a proven safe and effective treatment for facial lines, wrinkles, skin discoloration, acne scars, large pores, and other blemishes. IPL therapy can be used on all areas of the face except the tender skin around the eyes. The procedure can also be used on certain areas of the neck. During your initial consultation, the doctors of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will explain which areas of your face and neck are appropriate for IPL therapy.

How Long Do Results Produced By IPL Therapy Last?
IPL therapy smoothes and tightens the facial skin and removes age spots, freckles, and visible blood vessels. In addition, the thermal effect of IPL also causes production of new collagen, leading to improvement in wrinkles. With good sun protection of the treated area, results from a full series of IPL treatments can last up to a year.

As with all cosmetic procedures, results may vary and it is best to discuss your individual case with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

Your IPL Therapy Treatment
Your IPL therapy is performed in the doctor's office and treatments take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Prior to your treatment, the doctor applies a cold gel to the areas being treated and you are given protective eye shields to wear during the treatment.

The doctor touches the surface of the IPL hand-held device to the area of the face to be treated. Intense broadband light is delivered to the skin surfaces in brief pulses. Patients occasionally report a short feeling of mild discomfort as the light pulses are delivered.

Little or no recovery time is needed after your treatment and you may resume normal activities immediately. In fact, patients can apply makeup before leaving the office and return to work the same day. Side effects of the procedure are minimal, other than slight redness that disappears in a few hours.

IPL therapy brings about gradual changes in the appearance of your facial skin over the course of your treatments. After a full course of four to six treatments, you may notice improved texture of skin, decreased redness, more even color, and youthful skin tone. An average of four to six treatments scheduled at three-week intervals is recommended to achieve optimal results. However, each case is unique and, therefore, you should discuss your individual course of treatment with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

Precautions
While no pre-treatment tests are required, there are a few precautions you should take prior to your IPL procedure:

� Avoid using aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines, St. John's Wort, or high does of Vitamin E supplements for one week prior to your IPL therapy because they may cause bruising or bleeding at the treatment site.

� Do not consume alcohol leading up to and immediately after your IPL therapy because alcohol can effect the circulation and blood flow in your body, which could impact the effectiveness of your procedure.

� You should avoid undergoing IPL therapy if you have an infection in the area where the procedure will be performed.

� The safety of IPL therapy for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding has not been established.

� The safety of IPL therapy for patients under 18 years of age has not been determined.

The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these precautions and answer any specific questions you may have during your initial consultation.

Post-Treatment Instructions
While there are virtually no side effects from your IPL therapy, there are a few post-treatment instructions you should be aware of. The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these instructions in detail and answer any questions you may have prior to your treatment.

Immediately after your IPL therapy, you may notice temporary redness on or around the treated area. These effects are minor and typically disappear in a few hours. If the inconvenience continues beyond three to four hours or if other reactions occur, call The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

� Until any initial redness has disappeared, avoid exposure of the treated area to intense heat (sunlamp or sunbathing).
� Avoid touching the treated area within six hours of your treatment. After that, the area can be gently washed with soap and water.
� Avoid exercise and alcohol for six hours after your treatment.

Questions You May Have

� Are there other procedures that could be done along with IPL therapy to restore the full and youthful appearance of my face?
There are a variety of non-surgical procedures and physician-prescribed skin care treatments that can be used to achieve a multidimensional rejuvenation of the face. In addition, there are a variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures that can reduce facial wrinkles and enhance the overall appearance of your face: Facelift, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery, Facial Implants, Contour Threads Lift, or Botox Injections. Complementary procedures will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

� Will my insurance coverage pay for my IPL therapy?
Your IPL therapy is considered a cosmetic treatment and, therefore, is not covered by your insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment information will be discussed in detail with you during your initial consultation.