The signs of aging take years to develop. Over time, almost all people start to see fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and facial redness. While they are slow to appear, most people want to see them go away as quickly as possible. At Kagan Institute in Los Angeles, CA, we recommend the photofacial as one of the best ways to treat all of these concerns at once.
How Long Does It Take to See Results From a Photofacial?
How soon will you see the results? The first improvements will be immediate. You can look forward to a visible improvement in your skin immediately after this treatment. Your skin will be smoother and brighter, and your pores will look smaller. The benefits will continue to increase as your skin produces more collagen in the days and weeks following your appointment. If you opt for a series, you will see your maximum benefits a few weeks after it is complete. Read on, and we’ll tell you more about the benefits of this treatment.
What Is a Photofacial?
This treatment is a highly versatile means of addressing multiple age-related conditions at the same time. It is a powerful cosmetic multi-tasker that uses IPL (intense pulsed light) technology. Sometimes, you will hear people refer to the process as photo-rejuvenation.
During the treatment, we use a hand-held device that sends therapeutic wavelengths into the deep layers of your skin. These wavelengths reduce the signs of aging by stimulating the production of collagen and encouraging cellular renewal.
The Goals of This Treatment
Photo-rejuvenation was developed as a way to give patients fresh, youthful skin. As we get older, many changes start to impact the way we look. Rather than focusing on one aspect of the aging process, this treatment improves our appearance overall. It does this by working with our natural healing processes to stimulate renewal from deep within the layers of our skin.
Of course, looking younger isn’t the only goal for most patients. The treatment itself must be safe, easy, and convenient. IPL photo-rejuvenation is used to:
- Provide results that show up quickly
- Work comprehensively by addressing multiple conditions
- Uphold the highest safety standards
- Improve the skin without invasive measures
- Offer lasting results
Treatable Conditions
This treatment can improve all of the usual signs of aging. Here are some of the issues it can treat:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sun spots
- Other forms of hyperpigmentation
- Facial redness
- Loss of brightness
- Large pores
- A dull complexion
About the Technology
IPL photo-rejuvenation combines the power of state-of-the-art technology with expert skincare. It uses multiple wavelengths that are specifically designed to target the signs of aging. Certain wavelengths treat fine lines and wrinkles, while others work well for removing sun spots, etc. This combined approach means that you get multiple benefits from one treatment.
The lasers are able to reach the lower layers of your skin, where your body converts their energy into heat. This process triggers your renewal processes without affecting the upper layer. As a result, you will enjoy an increase in collagen and the production of newer, healthier skin cells.
Why Is Collagen So Important?
It Is Central to Professional Skincare
If you have looked into professional skincare treatments before, you have probably heard a lot of buzz about collagen. One of the biggest benefits of IPL photo-rejuvenation is that it encourages your body to produce more of this substance. After our 20s, our natural collagen production levels drop, but the photofacial can help us maintain them. So, why do we look younger when we have skin that is collagen-rich?
It Helps Your Skin Maintain Its Structure and Elasticity
Collagen is one of the most important proteins in your body. It supports the structure and shape of your skin. Your elasticity is also dependent on how much collagen you have. By giving your skin structure and elasticity, this protein helps delay the formation of wrinkles and the loss of volume. Skin that has a lot of collagen stays smooth and can sustain itself against gravity.
It Is Responsible for Healing Your Cells
Beyond maintaining your appearance, collagen is essential for keeping your body healthy. For example, when you get a cut, your body produces this protein to close up the wound.
It Prevents Wrinkles From Forming
Similarly, collagen helps keep your skin clear of wrinkles by supporting its cellular health and repairing the damage that causes them. Without lots of collagen, your normal facial expressions and the mechanics of chewing cause wrinkles to form. The muscle contractions behind these repetitive movements create creases in our skin.
When we have lots of collagen, our skin is able to smooth out after each muscle contraction. As our collagen levels decrease over time, fine lines and wrinkles begin to develop. They occur in the places where our skin creases over and over.
It Helps Keep Your Skin Hydrated
One of the biggest reasons we see wrinkles when we are older is that our skin has a harder time maintaining a healthy moisture level. When we are not well hydrated, we lose volume and are prone to dryness. Under those conditions, our skin can start to sag and our wrinkles are more prominent. Maintaining an abundance of collagen can help our skin retain moisture.
The Benefits of the Photofacial
It Increases Collagen Levels
Our bodies produce collagen in response to damage. When our skin absorbs the energy from the IPL device, it triggers this response. Basically, this treatment tricks your body into thinking it needs to repair itself. Once the collagen is produced, you will enjoy smoother skin, a more even tone, and a naturally healthy glow.
It Is Extremely Safe
While this treatment triggers a healing response from your body, no real damage is actually being done. The wavelengths work underneath your top layer of skin without abrasion or invasive measures. For that reason, it is one of the gentlest treatments you can choose. IPL photo-rejuvenation has been FDA approved for cosmetic use since the 1990s. Since then, millions of patients have had this treatment safely.
It Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
After your body starts producing more collagen in response to this treatment, you will see your fine lines and wrinkles start to recede. Your skin will look smoother all over, because this treatment is for your entire face.
It Improves Sun Spots and Other Forms of Hyperpigmentation
Aside from fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots are among the top age-related concerns. Our skin produces melanin, a pigment that creates a brown color. When we come into contact with UV rays, our melanin production can go into over-drive. As a result, groups of darker cells form spots. This generally happens in our 50s, but it can occur earlier.
IPL treatments emit certain wavelengths that are attracted to the color in your sun spots. When the cells in these areas absorb the energy, they dissolve back into your body. Afterward, newer, healthier cells come in to replace them.
It Can Correct Facial Redness and Rosacea
Facial redness is another condition that progresses over time. While your skin can temporarily turn red after strenuous exercise or a normal flush, constant redness is a sign of aging. Like sun spots, this condition is often the result of sun exposure. When our cells absorb UV rays, certain blood vessels weaken and become visible. The facial redness you see is the result of millions of tiny broken capillaries. When it becomes a chronic condition, we refer to facial redness as rosacea.
The IPL device we use emits a wavelength that is attracted to those blood vessels. The process of repairing them works the same way as it does for sun spots. Your body absorbs the energy and exchanges the damaged cells for newer, fresher ones. According to some studies, you can actually enjoy an 80-90% decrease in facial redness and rosacea following this treatment.
It Can Reduce Pore Size
Having large pores is one of the most difficult conditions to treat. There are no surgical procedures that can make pores look smaller. Over time, they get bigger as we lose elasticity. The stretching and sagging of our skin combined with years of sun exposure are responsible for their increase in size. IPL photo-rejuvenation is one of the only treatments that can effectively treat large pores, shrinking them and giving you a finer texture.
It Can Improve the Overall Condition of the Skin
IPL photo-rejuvenation works by improving the health of your skin overall. Everyone can benefit from an increase in collagen and fresh, new skin cells. In addition to specific improvements, you will enjoy greater brightness and a healthy glow.
It Just Gets Better With Time
Most people choose to do a series of 5 or 6 IPL treatments. The benefits are cumulative, meaning that you will see your skin improve more and more with each successive session. After this initial series, patients enjoy long-lasting results. Many opt to come in for a touch up once every year. Some make photo-rejuvenation a more regular part of their on-going cosmetic routine.
It Can Be Used on Many Areas of Your Body
While it is called a photofacial, this treatment can improve your skin in places other than your face. It is most beneficial in the areas that are regularly exposed to the sun, because they tend to age faster than other places. You can get this treatment on your:
- Hands
- Shoulders
- Chest
- Forearms
- Other areas that show signs of aging
It Is Fast and Painless
Getting this treatment is quick, straightforward and comfortable. Most people compare the feeling of the IPL device to a light flick from a rubber band. Usually, one session can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes. Best of all, you don’t need to plan for any downtime. Immediately following this treatment, you will be free to resume normal activities.
Schedule a Consultation
The best way to learn more about this treatment is to schedule a consultation. We would love to meet you in person, examine your skin, and answer all of your questions. Together, we will create a skincare plan that will give you the results you deserve.
Enjoy Immediate Results With a Photofacial
If you would like to see an overall improvement in the condition of your skin, this treatment is an excellent option for you. It uses sophisticated technology to treat your skin on a variety of levels. Fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, facial redness, large pores, and loss of brightness are all within its range. Most people can’t wait to see these conditions improve, and with this approach, you will see the first benefits right away.
For more information about this treatment, contact the Kagan Institute in Los Angeles, CA. We look forward to providing professional skincare that can smooth your skin and give you a special glow.
