An IPL or BBL Photofacial is the ultimate treatment for hyperpigmentation, redness, and other surface imperfections. It specifically targets sun-damaged skin – the main cause of early skin damage and aging skin.
What is a Photofacial?
At Blume Skin & Body, we offer both the IPL (intense pulsed light) Photofacial and BBL (Broadband Light) Photofacial. These are similar technologies, except the IPL Photofacial uses one intense beam of light energy and BBL uses multiple wavelengths to treat larger areas on the body. The IPL and BBL Photofacials are effective treatments for a variety of skin conditions including freckles, rosacea, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, The overall effect is firmer, brighter, healthier skin for a refreshed look.
Before a Photofacial, your provider will cleanse the skin of any makeup, sunscreen, or face creams. Men will have to shave on the day of their treatment before arrival. Eye shields will be placed over your eyes and a cooling gel will be applied to the skin to alleviate any discomfort. Cold air is also blowing onto the skin to cool it as intense pulses of light are flashed over the skin.
Most patients feel minimal discomfort during their IPL or BBL Photofacial and the sensation of the light pulses has been compared to the feeling of a rubber band snapping. Photofacial skin rejuvenation can take anywhere from 30-75 minutes, depending on your skin concerns and the size of the treatment area.
After an IPL or BBL Photofacial, your skin will be mildly red and sensitive for about one day; this is similar to the feeling of a sunburn. You will receive a post-kit with moisturizer and SPF that can be used to keep your skin healthy as it heals. For optimal results, we recommend 3-5 laser treatments scheduled 3-6 weeks apart.
Direct sun exposure (including tanning beds) should be avoided for 7-10 days after each treatment. Targeted spots of pigmentation will darken and naturally flake off in 3-14, depending on the treatment area. Do not pick at these flaking or “microcrusting” areas. An exfoliating treatment like a HydraFacial, OxyGeneo facial, or DermaSweep™ can help to remove any remaining crusting 1 week after treatment on the face and 2 weeks after treatment on the body.
Schedule a Consultation
BBL and IPL treatments are a popular form of laser therapy offered at Blume Skin & Body. If you want smoother, brighter skin, schedule a consultation today with our expert medical aestheticians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are IPL results permanent?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light) treats pigmentation, redness and acne. The results are not permanent because we are always in the sun and we have prior sun damage
Can I pluck after IPL?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): 48 hours after treatment you may tweeze brows
Can IPL cause hyperpigmentation?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): Certain skin types are not candidates for photofacial due to the risk of hyperpigmentation
Can IPL damage eyes?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): Prior to treatment protective shields should be placed on the patients eyes to protect them from the infrared light
Can IPL damage your skin?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is to remove sun damage and vascular issues if performed properly
Can IPL increase hair growth?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): No the treatment actually disrupts the hair growth cycle. IPL can also be used for hair reduction.
Can IPL make brown spots worse?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is not recommended for Melasma due to the intense heat
Can IPL make dark spots worse?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is not recommended for Melasma due to the intense heat
Can IPL remove flat moles?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment does not remove moles only sun damage
Can IPL remove pigmentation?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is great remove pigmentation from sun damage or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Can IPL tighten skin?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment does simulate some surface collagen but its main purpose is color
Can IPL worsen melasma?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is not recommended for Melasma due to the intense heat
Can you do IPL on eyelids?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment can be preformed on the eyelids with occular shields
Can you get IPL in the summer?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): You can get the treatment in the summer if you stay out of the sun, wear a hat and suncreen
Can you use IPL on arms?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment can remove sun damage on the arms just like on the face. The whole body can be treated.
Do dark spots come back after IPL?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is very effect on the current sun damage. Prior sun damage spot will continue to rise to the surface of the skin and maintenance treatments are recommended
Does IPL burn fat?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): Not it does not burn fat
Does IPL cause swelling?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment can cause some inflammation that will subside in 24-48 hours
Does IPL damage skin?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is to remove sun damage and vascular issues if performed properly
Does IPL get rid of broken capillaries?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light). Yes, the treatment will reduce the appear of capillaries
Does IPL get rid of thread veins?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment can help with bruising from threads but cannot remove the veins
Does IPL help dark circles under eyes?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): Dark circles under the eyes are the result of vascularity and thinning of the skin. Due to that IPL treatment is not effective
Does IPL help wrinkles?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment does make you look younger when it clears off the old pigmentation and reduces the redness of the skin
Does IPL hurt more than laser?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment feels like a rubber band snap. Laser feels like a hot sizzle
Does IPL hurt on face?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment feels like a rubber band snap. At Blume Skin & Body we apply a topical numbing cream for comfort
Does IPL improve skin texture?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment does not change the texture of the skin just the color damage
Does IPL make you look younger?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment does make you look younger when it clears off the old pigmentation and reduces the redness of the skin
Does IPL permanently remove freckles?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is not permanent and just removes the pigmentation on the surface of the skin and not the underlying pigment. That is why we recommend maintenance treatments at Blume Skin & Body.
Does IPL shrink pores?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): IPL does not shrink pores
Does IPL stimulate collagen?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment does stimulate collagen on the surface of the skin
Does IPL work for brown spots?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment works for sun damage and hyperpigmentation
How does IPL remove pigmentation?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment removes sun damage and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
How long after IPL can I exfoliate?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment you can exfoliate on day 7
How long after IPL can I use retinol?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light) After the treatment you can use retinol on day 7
How long do IPL results last?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After a series of 3 treatments Blume Skin & Body recommends yearly maintenance treatment
How long does IPL last for rosacea?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After a series of 3 treatments Blume Skin & Body recommends yearly maintenance treatment
How long does it take for brown spots to fade after IPL?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment the brown spots usually fade between 5-7 days
How long does it take for IPL to start working?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment starts working immediately
Is IPL a laser?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is not a laser, it is light therapy.
Is IPL bad for melasma?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is not recommended for Melasma due to the light and heat
Is IPL effective for sun damage?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is the best for treating sun damaged skin
Is IPL good for hyperpigmentation?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is the best for treating sun damaged skin
Is IPL or Microneedling better?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): The treatment is best for treating sun damage and vascular issues. Microneedling is better for treating texture.
Should you moisturize after IPL?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): Yes, you should moisturize after the treatment.
What are the benefits of IPL treatments?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment the patients skin tone is clearer and brighter
What are the risks of IPL?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment it is possible to have blisters, redness and micro crusting
What are the side effects of IPL treatment?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment it is possible to have blisters, redness and micro crusting
What happens after IPL for pigmentation?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment the pigmentation turns dark and flakes off
What happens after IPL laser on face?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): After the treatment your sun damage will turn dark brown and will eventually fall off. The redness will fade.
What is an IPL Photofacial?
Photofacial/IPL (Intense Pulse Light) BBL (Broad Band Light): It is a treatment that is used to treat sun damage, vascularity issues and acne.
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