After my recent consultation with Dr. Von Maur and Tannaz, a laser specialist at CosmetiCare, I decided to proceed with the recommended IPL treatment. The goal was targeting the sun damage on my face, making my complexion more smooth and brighter. An IPL is an Intense Pulse Light laser treatment that reduces brown or red pigmentation on the skin. It is primarily used to make the skin tone or color more even.
By Jennifer Willey
After my recent consultation with Dr. Von Maur and Tannaz, a laser specialist at CosmetiCare, I decided to proceed with the recommended IPL treatment. The goal was targeting the sun damage on my face, making my complexion more smooth and brighter. An IPL is an Intense Pulse Light laser treatment that reduces brown or red pigmentation on the skin. It is primarily used to make the skin tone or color more even. Patients can expect a more even skin color, brightening and a slight tightening of the skin and added collagen that improves the texture.
When I was younger, I dreamed of the perfect complexion. I envied my friends who had beautifully smooth skin, without any pigmented spots, or freckles. My friends and I would hang out all day in the sun, without sunblock, and my freckles darkened. Now, I am paying the price of my sun worshiping, with many dark spots scattered all over my face, some darker than others, but all quite noticeable to me. The only way I’ve been able to achieve the flawless face I desired, was to apply layers and layers of makeup and foundation.
While you cannot completely erase the damage from the sun, you can correct some of the pigmentation with an IPL treatment. The lovely Tannaz, talked about every step as she performed my medspa treatment.
Tannaz used her fancy machine and wand to deliver an intense pulse of filtered light to the targeted area of the skin. Laser technicians can use several different frequencies of the filtered light to target the darker pigmented areas. We realized that I needed a little bit of a deeper treatment in order for the areas we were targeting, to respond to the light. As she was working over the different areas of my skin, she continued discuss what I was feeling during each pulse of light. The best way to describe it was almost like needle pricks. It was not painful, just warm areas of my skin. If it became too warm, she would add the cooling gel so it didn’t get too uncomfortable.
The treatment took approximately 20 minutes, and she passed over my entire face at least two times. Once I was finished, she told me to expect the darker spots to become even more dark. Eventually they would slough off, like coffee grounds. She recommended that I continue hydrating my skin throughout the day with a little lotion, and to be sure to keep my face covered, or shaded from the sun.
When I left, my skin felt fine. I didn’t notice any difference in my appearance and texture. There was no downtime needed after the procedure at all. I went back to my normal routine.
The next day, I did notice a few spots a little darker, but that was about it. With my first treatment in the books, Tannaz recommended comparing my skin from just before receiving my first treatment to a few days after my last treatment for the final results. Stay tuned to see what happened during my IPL treatment sessions with CosmetiCare.
If you have been contemplating it looking into correcting sun damage or working on fine lines or wrinkles, I highly recommend speaking with the staff at CosmetiCare.
Looking to tackle a few cosmetic issues you may have? The team at CosmetiCare is quite amazing and can give you great ideas on how to look your best, keep your skin young and rejuvenated as well as skin care options and more. Follow along with other CosmetiCare Ambassadors as they share their stories.
