The Laser Treatment You've Been Dreaming of

It’s almost here!

AT THE STUDIO

We launch our new laser service this month. 😍

This non-invasive treatment has been around for more than a decade and provides proven and rapid ✨ results that promote new collagen production.

Because of this, we can now effectively treat concerns like:

• Sun-damaged skin and age spots

• Wrinkles

• Rosacea

• Spider veins

• Port wine stains

• Stretch marks

• Acne

• Permanent hair reduction

• Textural irregularities

• Acne scars

• Birthmarks

• Hyperpigmentation, including liver or age spots and freckles

• Melasma, a condition causing brown or gray-brown skin patches

• Scars

• Poikiloderma of Civatte

• Vessels and other vascular lesions

We’re excited!

In this post, we’ll talk about one of the ways our new laser treats these concerns using something called IPL.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) technology is a cosmetic skin treatment and a type of light therapy. 🥰 It’s proven to effectively destroy the pigment-producing cells beneath the skin surface and is FDA cleared for laser hair removal.

HOW DOES IPL WORK?

Multiple wavelengths of light energy are converted into heat energy and destroy hyperactive cells in the skin* (which are responsible for producing melanin in excessive amounts.)

Once the unhealthy cells are destroyed, your skin will naturally remove the damaged tissue and regain its ability to produce melanin in normal amounts.

*This treatment also targets hair follicles. See our blog on permanent hair removal, here.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

IPL is safe for most people.

However, it is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women and people who are on blood thinners, for example, should avoid IPL. 👎🏽

Other factors that make people unsuitable for IPL treatment include:

• currently or recently taking the acne drug Accutane

• having active acne

• suffering from a skin resurfacing disorder

• being susceptible to keloid scarring

• having severe scarring

• having suffered severe sunburn recently

Not unlike most medical procedure, IPL carries the risk of complications, including:

• pain

• skin discoloration

• swelling

• infection

• bleeding

• scarring

• crusting

HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT?

Results depend on the skin concern and a few patient factors. (e.g., IPL works better on white or light brown skin than on black skin.)

We suggest scheduling a consultation! 😘 Everyone responds differently to IPL, and most people will need multiple rounds of the treatment before they start to notice the best results.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE?

To prepare for the procedure, we ask clients to avoid the following for 2 weeks:

• Sunbathing and tanning beds

• Waxing

• Chemical peels

• Retinol serums

• Collagen injections

You should also avoid using any perfume or deodorant on the treatment area immediately before your appointment. 🙅🏼‍♀️

The American Society for Dermatological Surgery also advises people not to take any medicines that can contribute to the risk of bleeding (i.e. aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or herbal supplements) before the procedure.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Depending on the treatment, one of our trained estheticians may apply a local anesthetic or chilling gel and allow it time to fully activate.

She’ll then use a handheld device to target and deliver the light therapy to the treatment area. Some clients describe the laser as a feeling similar to a rubber band being “snapped” on the skin.

The length and number of sessions needed will depend on each individual’s treatment plan.

RECOVERY

For about 4-8 hours after treatment, your skin may look red or pink. You may also feel a stinging sensation (like a mild sunburn). Swelling is also common for several days after. You’ll want to avoid putting makeup or lotion on the treated area for 24 hours after the procedure (or until all the swelling has gone) and stay out of the sun for at least 7 days.

It can take anything up to several weeks to notice the results of IPL treatment.

OTHER OPTIONS

We’ll talk about the fraxel laser in another post. Aside from other laser treatments, microdermabrasion and microneedling are other great options for addressing signs of aging :)

WANT TO SEE RAPID RESULTS?

If you’re interested in addressing a concern or two listed above, book a consultation, today! (Just click the book now button on the menu up top :))

We would love to help bring out your natural beauty.

With love,

Beauty at the Lake