Tue, October 26, 2010

IPL Photofacial

Is It The Right Treatment For Everyone?

The Intense Pulsed Light Photofacial is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments performed in this country. But is this treatment right for everyone?

An Intense Pulsed Light Photofacial is a treatment which can be successful in treating pigment and redness on the face and neck, decollete (chest), arms and hands, and upper back. Various wavelengths of light are used to target the brown and red in the skin, and the heat emitted also helps in the build up of collagen in the skin.


Not everyone is a candidate for photofacial, however. Anyone with a Fitzpatrick type 4-6 skin, meaning those with darker pigmented skin, are not good candidates because the treatment may actually worsen hyperpigmentation. Our thoughts on treating Melasma with Intense Pulsed Light were verified, as well, when Dr. Steve PreFontaine and I attended the 'Laser and Aesthetic Skin Therapy: What's the Truth?' Conference at Harvard Medical School last October. Research shows that it is "very difficult to treat melasma with Intense Pulsed Light and Laser because it can actually increase pigmentation." Topical agents, such as hydroquinone and tretinoin, are a much better option for those with darker skin tones and melasma. "Laser and IPL should be reserved for those that are resistant to topical therapy."

Another option for those with Melasma is a chemical peel. A recent article in MedEsthetics magazine quotes an advanced educator for PCA skin, Joan Tomeu, RN, who had "a patient come in who specifically wanted IPL because it had worked so well for her friend. The problem was that she had melasma. I had to educate her that, in fact, IPL would very likely make her problem worse while a peel would actually improve melasma."

When it comes to the right treatment for your particular pigment and redness concerns, it is important to seek out an experienced practitioner who can analyze your skin and what has or has not worked well in the past. There is no such thing as "one treatment fits all." There may be treatments, products, or a combination of both that are the best solution for your own individual concerns.

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