Photofacial


Photofacial, also known as photorejuvenation, is another name for IPL therapy that uses intense pulsed light to treat the skin. Patients are given protective eyewear to serve as protection from the bright flashes of light. A cool gel is also often applied to the treatment area to lubricate the handpiece and to help cool the epidermis. Brief pulses of bright light will be applied to the skin through the handpiece. This causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict. The number of pulses received depends on the size of the area being treated.

Ideal candidates for a photofacial want to treat wrinkles, spots, sun damage, rosacea and remove unwanted hair. The best candidates are patients with fair skin, no recent tanning or sunburns and no use of Retin-A or other sensitizing products. Patients with tanned, olive or dark skin tones are not suitable candidates. Also, patients that are pregnant or suffering from sensitivity to bright light, diabetes or lupus are not good candidates.

The typical cost for a photofacial ranges from $500-$700. The final cost depends on the surgical facility fees and the surgeon’s level of expertise as well as the geographic location of the procedure and if other procedures are performed at the same time.

A photofacial treatment rejuvenates and restores the skin's radiance. Depending on the area treated, the recovery time ranges from 1-3 weeks. After the treatment, the treated areas will be red and sensitive for a few hours. Patients should avoid using hot water, and direct exposure to sunlight, for at least two days after the treatment. Depending on how much the skin is exposed to the sun after the treatment, the results can last 6-12 months.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy

submitted on   Thu Jul, 09, 2015 by Alexander Ovchinsky, MD     
Ultherapy is an ultrasound-based skin tightening treatment that utilizes ultrasound energy to help tighten the skin. This noninvasive procedure uses ultrasound energy to go through the skin in order to reach the subdermal layers of the skin. By reaching these subcutaneous layers with the...