Facials are one of the most common spa procedures around. Known for being relaxing and beneficial for your skin, you can’t go wrong with a facial. But, if you’re ready to take skin care to a whole new level, you need to get behind the IPL photofacial.
Entre Nous Aesthetics is a premier destination for all types of medical spa treatments. Our highly skilled staff share a passion for delivering incredibly effective, relaxing, and rejuvenating skin care procedures. So, before your first appointment, let’s dive into some of the things you need to know before getting an IPL photofacial!
1. What IPL stands for
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. A photofacial refers to the way the light therapy saturates and rejuvenates your skin. After an IPL photofacial, you’ll feel refreshed and renewed!
2. IPL photofacial is not a laser
Many people confuse IPL with laser therapy. The two types of treatments are similar in many ways, but they are not identical. Laser therapy uses a device that focuses one continuous beam of light onto the treated area. Oftentimes, laser therapy is ablative, meaning it removes layers of skin and requires downtime.
Intense pulsed light is non-ablative and gentle on the skin with no required downtime. It uses a broad spectrum of visible light to deeply rejuvenate your skin.
3. How IPL photofacial in Menlo Park works
Intense pulsed light photofacials achieve results by delivering light therapy deep into the layers of the skin. Your expert Entre Nous provider will use state-of-the-art technology to deliver the light into the desired area of treatment. The light then gently heats the layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production.
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, and is a key component to a healthy, youthful-looking complexion. Collagen creates a framework for the skin to keep it elastic, firm, and smooth. As we age, our body naturally stops producing collagen, which causes the skin to sag and wrinkles to form.
IPL induces the body’s natural production of collagen and actually changes the skin on a cellular level. It doesn’t simply cover up imperfections. Instead, it actually changes the cellular DNA of the skin to resemble younger, healthier skin!
Along with stimulating collagen growth, IPL also constricts blood vessels, reducing redness and rosacea. It targets hyperpigmentation and age spots by breaking down pigmented skin cells. All of this together ensures that an IPL photofacial produces stunning results!
4. What IPL photofacial in Menlo Park treats
This treatment is favored by many because it tackles a variety of different signs of aging, including:
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Uneven skin tone
- Texture
- Sun damage
- Age spots
- Cherry angiomas
- Rosacea
- Lesions and scars
- Acne
- Freckles
- Unwanted pigmentation
- Enlarged pores
IPL can also be used virtually anywhere on the body. Because of this, IPL makes a great treatment for back acne, or a treatment for aging hands.
5. What IPL photofacial feels like
Most patients report little to no discomfort during the treatments. Some say that getting an IPL photofacial can feel like tiny snaps or pricks on the skin, but overall the treatment is pain-free. After the treatment, you may experience a sensation similar to having a mild sunburn.
6. BBL is the gold standard for IPL photofacial in Menlo Park
If you want to achieve the absolute best results from IPL, BBL is the way to go. Broad band light therapy is an IPL treatment that tackles many of the same issues in similar ways. BBL, however, treats the skin with more precision and efficiency than ever before!
With BBL, patients typically require less treatment sessions than traditional IPL to achieve desired results, and treatment can be more directly tailored to your skin type and needs.
If you’re interested in starting your journey with BBL, you can set up a consultation today!
7. What to expect from your treatment
Consultation
Like all of our aesthetic procedures, we begin with an initial consultation. This allows us to get to know you and your unique aesthetic needs and desired outcomes. During the consultation, we will discuss the details of the procedure, as well as expected results and any necessary preparations.
You should feel comfortable asking questions during this time, as our team is expertly trained in medical aesthetics and has a wide range of recommendations and advice to offer.
Procedure
We will show you to our comfortable and sanitary procedure room. For all IPL photofacials in Menlo Park, you are provided with protective eyewear. You can feel free to chat with your provider, or lay back and chill out. Many patients report feeling relaxed during the procedure.
A gel is smoothed over your skin to allow for the device to gently glide along the treated areas. Generally, an IPL photofacial in Menlo park lasts around 30 minutes. You will be able to return to home or work immediately following the procedure!
Follow-up
If your provider has deemed multiple sessions necessary for your desired results, you will schedule your follow-up appointments at the front desk.
8. You may require more than one treatment
In order to achieve the most stunning results possible, your provider may recommend a series of treatments spaced out over a length of time. Typically, you can achieve beautiful and long-lasting results after 4 to 6 treatments spaced about a month apart. You and your provider will discuss the length of your treatment plan during your initial consultation.
9. How to maintain results
There are quite a few ways you can ensure the longevity of your IPL photofacial results. Immediately following your procedure and beyond, you should moisturize daily and apply sunscreen multiple times a day.
Another way to maintain results is to stay away from nicotine. This includes cigarettes, vaping, and secondhand smoke. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, stopping adequate oxygen flow to your skin.
Finally, you can make the switch from over-the-counter skin care products to medical grade ones. Medical grade skin care products are specially formulated to tackle a variety of skin issues, and ensure that your unique complexion is taken care of in the way it needs to be.
10. What to look for in an IPL photofacial provider
When it comes to choosing a provider for skin treatments, you definitely want to make sure you’re making an informed choice. This is your skin we’re talking about, after all!
Up-to-date technology
We’re not playing around when it comes to your skin. A trusted medical spa uses only the most advanced medical technology and devices. Additionally, all personnel should be expertly trained on how to use those devices. There is no such thing as too good for your skin.
Skilled and compassionate personnel
You deserve a medical team that is as invested in your goals as you are. Your medical spa team should help you decide on the best treatment plan possible, and stand by you every step of the way! They should also be trained on the most current techniques for each procedure.
Glowing reviews
Let those who have come before you help decide which provider to go with! We live in a world of Yelp and Google Review, so make them your new best friend and check out what prior patients have had to say.
While you’re browsing medical spa reviews to make sure they’re up to your standards, check out their websites as well! You can tell a lot about the way a place conducts business by their about us pages. Check ‘em out to see if your ideals align. Now is the time to be picky!
A little bit about us
Entre Nous Aesthetics combines the grace and skill of a cutting edge medical spa with the care and compassion of a trusted medical professional. Whether you have been a client of ours for years, or if you’re joining us for the first time, we treat you with respect from the moment you walk through the door.
Our team shares a passion for individualized care. We pride ourselves on customizing treatments for each of our patients. There are no cookie cutter treatment plans here. We use our initial consultation to truly get to know your aesthetic needs and desired results, and together we come up with a unique treatment plan.
We’ll be with you for the entirety of your aesthetics journey with us, offering recommendations and advice along the way.
Schedule an appointment!
Now that you know all the ins-and-outs of IPL photofacials, it’s time to take the next step! Schedule an appointment with us so we can discuss your skin care goals and how to get you where you want to be. Your skin will thank you for it!
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