Improve skin tone and surface imperfections associated with broken blood vessels, sun damage, photo damage, and signs of aging with Cutera Limelight® IPL treatments, provided by Dr. Jessica Krant at Art of Dermatology at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.

The IPL Procedure

Q: Is IPL Therapy Painful?

Pain is truly experienced differently by different people. Some people who know themselves to be sensitive may benefit from the application of numbing cream prior to treatment. Others may not notice any discomfort at all, especially since a cooling gel is usually used with IPL anyway.

Q: Are Multiple IPL Treatments Necessary?

Its not that second and third IPL treatments are necessary, but it is common and expected that your first treatment may yield mild results. Patients are often disappointed in the lack of dramatic improvement, but its important to know that once settings are shown to be safe, the IPL treatments can get more dramatic with more visible results on the way.

Q: Do You Need to Stay out of the Sun After an IPL Therapy and for How Long?

Going right back out into the sun after an IPL treatment can and will undo any improvement and increase the risk of additional hyperpigmentation.

Q: Is IPL Effective for Male Thick Beard?

The facial hair around the lip and chin on a man can have thicker, deeper roots than other hair on the body. Depending on the wavelength used in your IPL treatments, the IPL device itself may not be reaching the roots of those more difficult hairs.

Q: What Could IPL Hair Removal Do to Recently Tanned Skin?

Wait as long as you can before going back to the IPL (or any hair removal laser or light-based device) for hair removal. The reason is that the devices look for the contrast between the dark root of the hair and the surrounding tissue, and if your skin is tan the IPL can get confused and target your skin too much, causing a burn. These burns can blister and peel, and even cause permanent scarring that is not reversible.

Q: Can I Shave Before I Have my IPL Hair Removal?

It is ok to shave before IPL treatment for hair removal. In fact, having dark hair roots in place makes them better targets for successful IPL or laser. Shave two days before, not the day of, so there is no irritation in the area.

Q: Can I wax before I have my IPL Hair Removal?

Waxing is a no-no before these treatments because if there is no hair root in place, the laser or IPL doesnt have a clear pigmented target to attack, and little effect will be achieved.

Q: Will IPL treat stretchmarks?

IPL can help the redness fade and make the area much less noticeable.

Q: What Are Those Black Specks on the Skin After IPL?

The black specks are damaged pigment that is being sloughed off by your skin. As the skin proceeds through its normal cycle of exfoliation and replacement, those black specks will come off and your skin should be left with a more even appearance.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) otherwise known as broadband light (BBL) or photofacial therapy uses a filtered broad spectrum of optimally-targeted wavelengths to improve the look and feel of vascular lesions, acne, and skin discoloration. Dr. Krant uses the Cutera Limelight® IPL, a well-respected and effective device with excellent safety parameters. The Limelight® treats specific areas without damaging the skin’s surface using broad-spectrum light to target the pigment and blemishes in the top layer of skin in order to reduce discoloration and promote a more even skin tone. IPL (BBL) is a light-based energy treatment, but is not technically a laser treatment, since lasers use only a single wavelength and have what is known as a coherent, collimated beam of light. IPL devices use a strong flash of a chosen band of filtered wavelengths of light to target more than one skin structure at the same time, and use a clear gel to help transfer that light just below the skin surface safely and effectively.

IPL Benefits

IPL treatments are nonabrasive, noninvasive, quick, and comfortable, making these a great option for many women and men hoping to treat the following skin conditions:

• Broken capillaries
• Acne & acne scars
• Redness
• Fine lines
• Brown spots
• Uneven or rough skin
• Sagging or aging skin
• Sun damage

Who is a Candidate for IPL?

Since the IPL device is designed to target and remove pigmentation in the skin, patients with lighter skin tones may find this treatment safer and more effective with less risk. Though Dr. Krant herself does not perform hair removal procedures, IPL can also be used for laser hair removal since the light energy can target pigmented hair follicles. Similarly, IPL hair removal is best for patients with light skin and dark hair.

Your IPL Procedure

Your IPL treatment time will depend on the size and location of the area being treated. However, most IPL therapy sessions generally take less than one hour to complete. Before your treatment, Dr. Krant will apply a gel to cool the skin to maximize your comfort and you will be given eye protection to wear. Most people report experiencing only mild sensations such as pinching or stinging during the procedure, and anesthesia or pain medicine is typically not required.

In most cases, one to three IPL treatments are enough to see the dramatic results you’re looking for. Additional treatments may be recommended, though, depending on your skin type and condition. During your consultation, Dr. Krant will discuss this with you before beginning your first treatment.

IPL Recovery

Directly following your IPL treatment, you may notice some redness and mild swelling, and darkening of brown spots. These symptoms are completely normal and a sign of effective treatment, and should diminish within the next few days. Over the next three to five months, you will see your final results beginning to emerge, revealing a smoother, more even, revitalized complexion.

Schedule a Consultation
in New York City

If you’re considering IPL therapy in NYC, contact board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Krant at Art of Dermatology at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York for an individualized consultation at her Manhattan office.