What skin imperfections can IPL treat?
Intense pulsed light therapy treats a number of common skin conditions. These include:
Age spots
Freckles
Broken blood vessels on your face
Rosacea
Sun damage
Discuss your skin concerns with Epic Med Spa staff and they can help you understand if IPL is right for you.
What should I expect during an IPL treatment?
During an IPL treatment, you receive a deep cleansing of the area of your skin to be treated and then a cooling gel is applied over the skin. You wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from the light.
Your provider then applies light pulses from the IPL wand to your skin. You may feel some slight stinging or snapping during treatment, but most people tolerate it well.
Each treatment session lasts about 20-30 minutes, depending on the area being addressed.
How much downtime is necessary following intense pulsed light therapy?
Most people can go back to their regular activities following IPL therapy. You may have some mild redness or swelling following the procedure – much like a sunburn -- but this tends to fade within a day or two. You may feel some sensitivity and stay away from hot water until your skin heals. You should avoid direct sunlight after IPL treatment, too, and use sunscreen regularly to protect treated skin.
How many treatments with IPL will I need?
Epic Med Spa will create an individualized treatment plan for you. In general, most people benefit from three to six total sessions spaced about four weeks apart.
How does intense pulsed light therapy differ from laser treatment?
The two treatments are similar, but with IPL, the light energy used to treat your skin is released in many different wavelengths instead of a singular wavelength. IPL doesn’t damage your outer layer of skin.
As a result, IPL treatment is scattered and less focused than a laser, which facilitates faster healing and less risk of complication. The light energy is absorbed by areas of uneven pigment, leading to their destruction.
Sclerotherapy
Varicose veins – more specifically, a common type of tiny varicose vein called “spider” veins – are a sign of changes due to genetics, pregnancy, weight gain, minor injuries, hormones, and certain lifestyles. But, are we doomed to carry these unsightly lines forever? For those of us affected by small, dark-colored varicose veins or spider veins, they can be unwelcome, but the good news is they are treatable. There is a treatment which has been shown to minimize and, in many cases, eliminate spider veins permanently: sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is a treatment used to shrink or even eliminate those small, dark spider veins with a simple injection. A small amount of treatment solution is injected directly into those tiny veins. The veins then swell slightly, causing them to close off. Once the vein shuts off, the body reroutes the blood through other healthy veins in the same area, and the spider veins are no longer visible. Sclerotherapy even works on small varicose veins – the ones that stick out above your skin
What results can I expect to see from Sclerotherapy?
Patients usually see improvement as soon as immediately or within a few days after treatment. In a recent study among patients who received sclerotherapy treatments for their simple varicose veins, more than 85% were satisfied with the results.
How long is a treatment session?
Typically, your appointment will last approximately 15 minutes. The length of time may vary based on the number, size, and complexity of veins being treated. Sclerotherapy involves only a tiny pinch sensation from a very small needle, so no numbing is needed.
What does the recovery period look like?
Patients can drive home on their own and walk around normally after treatment. However, we do recommend wearing compression stockings and minimizing physical activity immediately after treatment to optimize your results.
Who should not receive Sclerotherapy?
Any patient with severe blood clot disorders should not receive sclerotherapy. Discuss any medical conditions you may have with your treatment provider before receiving treatment.
Where can I learn more about Sclerotherapy?
If you have additional questions, we recommend you schedule a Consultation with one of our treatment providers for more information.