REVERSE SUN DAMAGE

 Photofacial - IPL Northern, Va

Revitalizing Your Skin with IPL in Northern VA

If you’ve had a little too much fun in the sun, your skin might be showing it. A sun-kissed glow is beautiful, but over time, UV rays can accelerate skin aging, making us look years older. This happens because ultraviolet rays break down collagen fibers, those essential proteins that keep our skin firm and youthful. As collagen levels decrease, wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin start to appear. On top of that, sun exposure can lead to age spots, freckles, and uneven pigmentation as the skin’s pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) become damaged and produce pigment irregularly.

How Can IPL Help?

Fortunately, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments in Northern VA offer an effective way to address sun damage and restore a more youthful complexion. IPL, often called a photofacial, works by emitting high-energy light waves that target and break down unwanted pigmentation, helping to reduce sunspots and discoloration. But that’s not all—IPL also stimulates collagen production, encouraging skin cell turnover and creating smoother, firmer skin. The result? A revitalized, radiant look.

Benefits Beyond Sun Damage

IPL in Northern VA can also address other skin concerns, such as broken capillaries, rosacea, and enlarged pores. And while the face is a popular treatment area, IPL is versatile and can be used on the chest, hands, arms, shoulders, and other areas that show signs of sun exposure. With IPL, Northern VA residents can take a proactive approach to skin health and rejuvenation, addressing not only sun damage but multiple signs of aging.


What's Involved?

A photofacial is a little bit uncomfortable but only for a short while. During the treatment, an intermittent and tolerable stinging sensation can be felt over the area. A typical treatment takes about 20 – 30 minutes. Once the treatment is over, there is no real discomfort – only a mild sunburn-like feeling that may last for a few hours. For some, there is no down time. For others there can be some  swelling that lasts for several days. For your first treatment we recommend timing your appointment so that you can have a few days to recover if necessary. Once you know how your skin reacts, you either won’t have to worry about it – or you will know to always give yourself a few recovery days.

After your treatment you may notice right away that the sun spots and irregular pigmentation are darker than before the treatment. And over the next couple of days following the treatment the pigment will probably get even darker and more “peppered” looking. Don’t worry! In about 7 -14 days this pigment will slough off revealing newer, more even-toned skin underneath. During that time you must be extra diligent about protecting your skin from the sun. You may also wear makeup to cover the spots so that no one notices them except for you. Typically it takes around 3 to 4 sessions to see the full results of the treatment. And, your skin will continue to improve for months following the treatment.  The collagen will continue to grow over time filling in fine lines, enlarged pores will decrease in size and broken capillaries continue to fade.

How to Prepare for your Photofacial Treatment
  • Discontinue use of topical retinoids, hydroquinone, topical acid products, benzoyl peroxide, clairsonic brushes or other scrub products on the treatment area one week prior to your appointment.
  • Discontinue use of photosensitizing medications one week prior to your appointment.
  • Do not expose the treatment area to the sun for at least 1 week prior to your treatment. Make sure you are not tan or sunburned.
  • Discontinue use of self-tanners 7 – 10 days prior to your appointment.
    • Who May Not Have Photofacial Treatments?
  • Women who are pregnant
  • Anyone who is taking photosensitizing antibiotics
  • Anyone undergoing chemotherapy
  • Anyone who is tanned or sunburned
  • Anyone who is using topical retinoid products, hydroquinone, topical acid products, benzoyl peroxide, clairsonic brushes or other scrub products on the treatment area. Please discontinue use of these products one week prior to treatment
  • Anyone using self-tanners
  • Anyone with skin darker than Fitzpatrick Skin Type III. This means we can treat up to darker Caucasian skin. Sometimes we can treat very light Middle-Eastern, Indian and Asian skin types. We recommend a consultation first so that we can assess your skin and concerns
    • FAQs
  • HOW LONG WILL THE PROCEDURE TAKE? This depends on the area you wish to have treated and which treatment modality we decide is best for your particular concerns. In general it takes approximately 20 – 30 minutes to treat your face. Larger areas like the chest take a bit longer. Small areas like the hands only take 5 – 10 minutes.
  • WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER MY TREATMENT? This depends on your reaction to the treatment. If you do not experience swelling, you may return to work or your normal daily activities. Avoid strenuous exercise, hot showers or saunas, and hot yoga for the first 3 – 5 days. Avoid the sun for the first week and then make sure to apply a high-quality sunscreen with at least 8% zinc oxide or titanium dioxide every hour that you are in the sun after the first week.If you do experience significant swelling, we recommend that you follow the above instructions but also make sure to rest, apply ice packs and take an anti-histamine like Zyrtec during the day and Benadryl at night. When resting or sleeping, make sure your head is elevated above your heart. This will help drain any swelling. Application of over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help reduce your reaction as well.
  • WHAT WILL MY SKIN LOOK LIKE AFTER THE TREATMENT?  Within several minutes of the treatment, the treated area may become slightly red and sometimes raised. Some experience a sensation similar to mild sunburn. This reaction subsides within a few hours. Approximately half of patients experience swelling. Freckles and age spots will appear darker immediately following treatment and will continue to darken over the next few days. On the face, these dark spots will slough off in approximately 7 days and on the rest of the body, these spots will slough off in 2 – 3 weeks. Some vascular lesions may disappear immediately and some may appear more red or purple for a few days following treatment. If you have larger veins, some may leak during the treatment causing bruising that can last for several weeks.
  • HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?  This depends on the color of your skin and on your particular concerns. Darker skin requires more conservative treatment and therefore results will be less dramatic each time. Anywhere from 1 – 6 treatments is recommended. During your consultation we can give you a better idea of how many you may require
  • HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO COME IN FOR MY TREATMENTS?  For best results we recommend spacing treatments at least a month apart. This allows your skin enough time to heal following each treatment.
  • ARE THE RESULTS PERMANENT?  While we can remove the freckles, age spots, broken capillaries and redness that currently exists on your skin, the normal aging process, continued sun exposure and progression of conditions like rosacea continue. Preventative measures like sun avoidance, proper skin and sun care, smoking cessation, etc. will prolong your results. We recommend having periodic treatments to maintain your results if necessary.

    • BEFORE & AFTER

    BEFORE

    close up of cheek with freckles before photofacial

    AFTER 3 TREATMENTS

    close up of cheek with no freckles after photofacial in McLean VA

    Photo courtesy of A. Alibhai, MD

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