Skin Treatments – IPL Rejuvenation

The majority of thread veins and damaged capillaries come from long-term exposure to the sun and wind, as well as from extremes of heat and cold. Intense Pulsed Light treatments tend to be used on spider naevi, rosacea and thread veins, while laser treatments are generally used on leg veins, and both pulsed light and laser treatments work by emitting light, which the blood vessels absorb. The heat generated destroys the blood vessels, and the body’s natural processes remove the debris. There is often little or nothing left to be seen. Note that small lesions can clear after just one session, but three to five treatments are normally required for best results.

Pigmented and brown lesions, such as freckles and liver spots are often manifestations of sun damage, environmental influences and the natural aging process. Areas that are most exposed such as the face, hands and upper body are usually most affected. IPL treatments work by emitting light, which the melanin in the freckles or liver spots absorbs. The heat generated heats the melanin and destroys the dark skin cells that contain it. Because the sun is most often the cause of pigmentation, we may also recommend products to use on your skin before treatment. The number of treatments required varies, depending on the size and type of pigmented area, but usually between one and three treatments at four to six week intervals are required.

Skin Photo Rejuvenation treatments use Intense Pulsed Light alongside suitable skin products that may be advised for home use. Damaged veins, freckles, sun spots, age-related skin problems and damaged collagen may all benefit, showing long-lasting improvement that looks very natural. The Intense Pulsed Light treatments can be used to stimulate the fibroblasts in the skin to make more of the elastin and collagen that support its structure. Treating thread veins, liver spots and freckles helps to even out the complexion. Large pores are reduced and skin texture is firmer, appearing more radiant. Redness and a sensation of heat are perfectly normal following treatment. Applying a cooling pack helps to reduce this reaction. Pigmented spots sometimes appear to become darker at first and then flake off, leaving skin tone improved and more even. As the fibroblasts produce new collagen over time, the skin should become tighter and firmer. Note the skin will be very sensitive to ultraviolet light, so we advise patients to use strong sunscreen during the course of treatment. Fake tans should also be avoided, as they can promote light absorption, leading to a very uncomfortable skin reaction. Usually about six treatments at two to four week intervals are required. Some patients may benefit from maintenance treatments for their skin conditions from time to time. Some skin conditions may need microdermabrasion or a peel, as well as Intense Pulsed Light treatment for best results.

IPL skin treatments are ideally suited to patients of Caucasian / European ethnicity (especially those with fair skin colours). Most types of skin blemishes, pigmentation, brown lesions and age spots can be treated, with red skin blemishes and superficial blemishes caused by sun damage, such as sunspots and freckles, generally responding very well. Very tanned or dark skin tends to become overheated because of its high melanin content, which makes treatment impossible. Note that dark moles, large lesions and raised or mottled blemishes may not suitable for treatment. Our skin specialists will of course advise if this is the case during initial consultations, at which point we may recommend seeing your doctor for referral to a dermatologist.

Patients undergo an initial consultation before treatment. During the consultation your therapist will explain the treatment process, examine the areas of concern and gather some medical history details. They will also answer any questions you may have regarding IPL Rejuvenation, and inform you of the likely number of treatments and costs to achieve optimum results. Upon wishing to proceed, you will be asked to sign a consent form and to undergo a test patch (the test patch will cost £20 which is then deductible from your treatment cost).

There are no specific preparations required for IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatments.

As a Kent and Orpington skin treatment specialist, post treatment support is very important to us. Following patient treatments, to help prevent further harm, we may recommend suitable products to protect the skin, such as high protection sunscreen or specialist skin oil to help with rejuvenation.

At The Avalon Laser & Beauty Clinic in Orpington, we use the award winning Lynton Lasers Lumina for our IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatments, a state-of-the-art medical grade machine.

Anaesthetic is not required.

Patients typically report only mild discomfort. To help with very sensitive skin, your therapist can provide a skin-cooling device, the Cryo 5, which can be used by you during the treatment to direct cold air onto any specific area as required.

Your therapist will explain the recovery and aftercare process during treatment. But to prevent further harm to the skin and to help with skin rejuvenation, the use of specialist products, aloe vera gel, cold compresses and high protection sunscreen may be advised. The area treated may feel warm for a while, but usually only for a couple of hours. Occasionally, delicate areas may appear slightly swollen or red for a day or two. In very few cases, the skin tone may lighten or darken temporarily, or slight blistering may occur.

Very good results can be expected. The pigmentation will immediately turn darker but will fade within a few days to reveal a noticeably clearer, more even skin tone.

See individual conditions / treatments above.