Most people want clear, smooth skin, but it can be difficult to achieve, even with a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine. IPL (intense pulsed light) photofacial uses a bright light to help reduce the appearance of signs of aging, such as brown spots, melasma, broken capillaries, wrinkles, and other cosmetic imperfections.
Benefits
- Little to no downtime
- Results can be long lasting
- Can be performed on virtually any part of the body
Why Choose The Institute of Anti-Aging Medicine and Skin Spa?
The Institute of Anti-Aging Medicine and Skin Spa was founded in 1997 in Houston, Texas, and has a fully integrated medical spa. Dr. Richard LeConey has developed comprehensive personal anti-aging, wellness, hormone, and skincare programs for both men and women.
Our motto is: “Feel as good as you look, and look as good as you feel.”
We believe that there is simply no reason for you to look or feel your age. We are here to help create personalized treatment plans to help you achieve your aesthetic goals and provide natural-looking rejuvenation.
Why Choose The Institute of Anti-Aging Medicine and Skin Spa?
The best candidates for IPL Photofacial are patients who wish to reduce the appearance of the following aesthetic concerns:
- Rosacea
- Brown sun spots
- Sun damage
- Wrinkles
- Uneven texture
- Stretch marks
- Acne scarring
- Enlarged pores
- Melasma
- Age spots
- Spider veins
How It Works
IPL therapy uses a bright, intense light to heat up the dermis (deeper layer of the skin), stimulating the production of more collagen. Collagen is the protein your body uses to give the skin its structure. The heat also destroys pigment cells, such as melanin, to help remedy uneven pigmentation. During treatment, you may feel mild discomfort, much like a rubber band snapping. The number of sessions required will depend on the size of the treatment site and the condition being addressed. Most patients undergo two to six sessions spaced four weeks apart.
IPL photofacial can also be combined with treatments like laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel for optimal results.
Our newest state-of-the-art laser is the Stellar M22™ by Lumenis®. This device includes four different modalities, including IPL photofacial with ResurFX™, Nd:YAG for spider veins, and Q-Switch for dark tattoos. We can combine IPL photofacial and ResurFX™ for our PhotoFractional treatment, which helps remove brown and red spots and improve the texture of the skin.
ResurFX™
ResurFX™ is a non-ablative, fractional laser treatment perfect for skin resurfacing in just one pass. The device can use different grid patterns for different purposes, and there is little to no downtime required.
PhotoFractional (Photofacial and ResurFX™ combined)
The combination of these two treatments provides comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Uneven pigmentation, finelines, and textural concerns can all be treated with minimal downtime.
Q-switch for Dark Tattoos
Dark tattoos are often difficult to treat. Q switched lasers are more effective at breaking up dark tattoo ink than traditional laser therapy. Ink particles are broken down so that they can be absorbed and eliminated by the body.
ActiveFX™/ DeepFX™ (CO2 fractional laser)
CO2 fractional laser resurfacing is performed to treat the appearance of sun damage, scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. The laser energy creates microchannels in the skin, stimulating the body’s healing response and the production of new collagen.
Recovery and Results
Immediately following your treatment, you may experience some redness and discomfort similar to a sunburn. These side effects should resolve in 24 to 48 hours. Aftercare instructions should be followed carefully to help ensure optimal results and minimize the risk of complications. Pigmented lesions may appear darker at first and then peel off as your skin heals.
IPL photofacial can provide long-lasting improvement, but it cannot stop the natural aging process. A comprehensive skincare routine and proper sun protection can help prolong your results. Some patients may also decide to undergo maintenance treatments. A personalized treatment and maintenance plan can be discussed during your consultation appointment.
Before and After Photos
FAQS
What is the Gemini Laser and what does it treat?
The Gemini YAG Laser is a laser used for the treatment of red discolorations and overgrown or broken blood vessels. The
Gemini YAG laser penetrates the dermis and targets water and hemoglobin, making it effective in treating redness and
individual broken capillaries.
Who IS a good candidate for the treatment?
The Gemini Laser can treat a wide range of skin types.
Who IS NOT a good candidate?
Patients taking Accutane should not have this treatment until they have been off the medication for at least 6 months. Retin-A
should be discontinued 4-5 days prior to treatment. Certain antibiotics can cause the skin to be more sensitive to sun and laser
light, making those patients poor candidates. It is best to wait a week to 10 days following treatment to have a laser treatment.
Check with the provider and review any medications you are taking before undergoing laser treatment. Other
contraindications are sun exposure, tanned skin, or artificially tanned skin (including the use of self-tanning lotions). The
provider will determine whether a patient is a candidate before determining the course of treatment. Women who are
pregnant should not be treated with the laser as a general precaution
What can I expect after the treatment?
The skin will appear red and warm to the touch. Swelling can be expected afterwards for 3-5 days. Many of the treated blood
vessels will improve immediately, and will continue to improve over the next 4-6 weeks. Patients with numerous vessels or
with extensive generalized redness, will benefit from multiple treatments.
