Skin Rejuvenation with Pulsed Light
Pulsed light devices, like lasers, use intense light energy that targets dilated blood vessels and abnormal pigment while simultaneously energizing your collagen-forming enzymes.
Pulsed light is often called Broad Band Light (BBL) or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Devices that use pulsed light are the best treatment for patients who have problems with visible vessels, red glandular skin, and/or brown spots. Pulsed light, like laser toning, is one of the only no-downtime ways to stimulate collagen formation.*
Treatments can:
- Shrink broken blood vessels
- Improve “ruddiness”
- Lighten brown spots
- Improve skin tone and shrink pores
Pulsed light energy is selectively absorbed by pigment and red blood; thus, brown age spots, widespread brown areas, dilated blood vessels, and ruddiness (e.g., rosacea) are improved without harming healthy skin. The mild reaction from the pulsed light has even been shown to stimulate small amounts of new collagen and improve fine wrinkles, skin tone and texture.
Before Broad Band Light (BBL)*
After 1 Broad Band Light (BBL) *
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Details
The provider will pulse the area using the Broad Band Light hand piece. Most people perceive each pulse as a gentle snap and numbing creams are seldom needed. Treatment of the face, neck, hands, or upper chest takes about 30 minutes or less.
The skin that we treat quickly becomes slightly red and swollen, like hives or a mild sun-burn. You can put make-up on right away to camouflage redness. The reaction typically resolves in a few hours or, less often, a few days.
Brown spots may appear darker and rougher the first week. Red lesions and blood vessels can appear smaller or slightly purplish in color; they will fully or partially go away in about 10 to 14 days.
Most patients get optimal results from a series of treatments. The number of treatments required is dependent on many factors including: your skin type, the area we’re going to treat and the reason for treatment.
Our provider will be able to give you a better estimate during your consultation; however, an average of three treatments are recommended. Treatments are given in two to four weeks intervals.
Pulsed light treatments stimulate collagen via thermal energy. To use pulsed light treatments to keep your skin motivated, have a treatment 2-4 times yearly. These treatments stimulate collagen even if the blood vessels and brown spots are no longer present. Every treatment helps, but a regular pattern of treatments is what really works.
Most reactions to the treatment are temporary. Serious complications are rare but possible. There are rare reports of:
- Bruising
- Slight bleeding
- Blistering
- Pigment changes (light or dark spots on the skin) which can last 1-6 months or longer
- Scarring is extremely rare
- Avoid tanning to reduce the risks of blistering and pigment abnormalities to less than one percent
- Start treatments when your skin is at its palest
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen products, vitamin E, and herbal remedies one week prior to treatment to decrease your small risk of bruising
*Medicine is not an exact science and individual results may vary.