Skin-Clearing Intense Pulsed Light for Marco Island and Naples in Florida

Genetics, sun damage, and time can cause changes to clear, youthful skin. Adults may notice as they age that they begin to develop spots, visible redness, and rough patches. Intense pulsed light, better known as IPL at Florida's Skin Wellness Physicians, can address all of these signs of aging skin to create a more even tone and texture.

Dermatologists Dr. Daniel Wasserman and Dr. Anne Marie Tremaine use Forever Young BroadBand Light (BBL™), a particularly powerful IPL treatment, for women and men in and around Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Ft. Myers, and all of Florida.

What Is IPL?

Though IPL uses light to treat a range of cosmetic conditions, it is not a laser. Intense pulsed light is made up of multiple wavelengths that deliver energy into the skin in a series of short bursts or pulses. This light energy impacts the darker-pigmented cells in spots and visible vessels, leading to their destruction. For spots, the lesion will eventually flake away. For capillaries, the thin vessels will collapse and be reabsorbed into the body, with no harm done to the overall circulation system.

Forever Young BBL^™ is unique among IPL treatments. It physically changes the expression of genes associated with aging, restoring them to resemble genes found in younger skin that has not suffered as much damage from ultraviolet radiation. The result is a long-lasting change, with skin appearing clearer and more even.

What Conditions Can IPL Treat?

IPL is ideal for fading pigmentation irregularities, commonly known as sun spots, age spots, liver spots, and other names. It also reduces the redness of rosacea and thin, visible vessels known as capillaries on the face, hands, chest, and elsewhere.

Because IPL is not a laser, it can be used on several areas of the body where lasers are not recommended for treatment.

Note that rosacea is a chronic condition that has no cure, but its symptoms can be managed with intense pulsed light. The Skin Wellness Physicians dermatologists have multiple therapeutic options for anyone dealing with the condition.

What is an IPL Session Like in Florida?

The dermatologists at Skin Wellness Physicians regularly use IPL on a range of patients for a variety of conditions. Their experience allows them to streamline an IPL session so it is both effective and minimally disruptive to a patient's day.

The duration of the session itself depends on the size of the area or areas to be treated, as well as the specific conditions to be addressed and other factors.

The feeling of the intense light from an IPL treatment is frequently described as similar to a sudden warmth or rubber band snapping against the skin. A topical anesthetic is not necessary to minimize the sensation, but anyone concerned about their comfort can discuss available strategies during their initial consultation, and topical anesthetics are readily utilized by the physicians.

More than one treatment is usually required in order to sufficiently fade the visible spots or redness. This will also be discussed prior to the session, so each patient can know what to expect in terms of visits and a timeline of treatment and results.

What Happens After an IPL Session?

Expect the treated skin to appear red, similar to a sunburn, for several hours after an IPL treatment. Certain spots may grow darker before they eventually fade. The treated skin will typically flake away, revealing skin with a more even tone.

The effects of an IPL session require minimal recuperation and downtime. Most patients return to their daily lives, including work, after three to four days. The treated brown spots will turn darker brown, and then gently slough off. Sunscreen should be worn to protect the skin against further sun damage, especially when it is sensitive shortly after a treatment.

Options Beyond IPL in Florida

Skin Wellness Physicians offers a range of laser and light treatments for patients whose cosmetic needs require something other than IPL, or who want to complement the results of their intense pulsed light treatments. Photodynamic therapy can help to clear acne outbreaks and pre-cancerous actinic keratoses. Fractional laser treatments trigger fresh collagen production for an anti-aging effect, while laser skin resurfacing addresses more advanced signs of sun damage.

Skin rejuvenation options include microneedling and HydraFacial^® treatments.

Other available cosmetic treatments are BOTOX^® and Dysport^® for relaxing wrinkle-forming facial muscles, dermal fillers for adding wrinkle-smoothing volume to the skin, and Kybella^® for reducing submental fat deposits. Talk to a member of the Skin Wellness Physicians to determine which treatment or combination of options would be ideal.