Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in Seattle, WA

Uneven skin tone is a common aesthetic problem we all notice as we age especially if we have an active lifestyle out in the sun. After years of unprotected sun exposure you will notice brown spots, freckles and sun spots. You may also notice unwanted vessels around your nose or rosacea on your cheeks. These common concerns can now be removed and you can reveal your glowing complexion with skin revitalization.

Skin revitalization is ideal for reducing the appearance of pigment on your face, chest or hands including age spots, sun damage, freckles or birthmarks. It is also the perfect solution for unwanted vessels on your face including spider veins, broken vessels or rosacea (redness/flushing of the cheeks). In just a few quick treatment sessions you will see a reduction in the appearance of brown spots and vessels leaving you with a more even skin tone and beautiful looking skin.

IPL photofacials are popular at SPEX Seattle for their rejuvenating qualities. Some of the perks that our Seattle, WA individuals obtain from their IPL photofacials include:

• Smoother skin tone and feel
• Balancing of pigmentation and brown spots
• Revitalized, rejuvenated skin look
• A calming, spa-like procedure that contributes to overall skin health

A photofacial works the deeper layers of your skin to improve many complexion blemishes (especially brown lesions and sun spots) with little or no recovery needed. Candidates for IPL treatments at SPEX Seattle may have a combination of problems with their complexion, such as rosacea, sun damage, brown spots (hyperpigmentation), rough texture, large pores, redness, freckles, age, and sun spots, or dilated capillaries. Dr. Campbell will examine your skin to determine if you will benefit from a photofacial during your private consultation.

IconTM utilizes optimized pulsed light technology which, unlike lasers, uses many wavelengths of light with special filters that deliver the best wavelengths to treat specific aesthetic conditions. As the handpiece glides over the area being treated, specialized pulses of light are delivered into your skin to target brown spots, sun-damage and vessels without causing harm to the surrounding skin. Once these targets absorb the energy they are destroyed and will slowly disappear through your body’s natural healing process. 

Before the optimized pulsed light handpiece is used, a gel is applied to your skin where you will receive treatment. You will also be provided eye shields to protect yourself from the light during treatment. The treatment will begin with the provider guiding the IconTM handpiece over the treatment area. You will feel cooling while the handpiece is gliding over the treatment area to provide a comfortable session. You may also feel a slight rubber-band like snapping when the energy is being delivered into your skin which disappears almost immediately however, a warm sensation after the treatment is common.

Depending on the size of the area, treatments can take just minutes.
After the treatment, the gel will be removed and a cooling mask may be applied to your skin. Bandages and ointments are not necessary due to the nature of the treatments being so minimally invasive. 

If you are a laser skin revitalization patient, please be aware of the following:

• During your consultation, inform your treatment provider of all medications you take to avoid the risk of photosensitization.
• Remove all make-up and lotions prior to the treatment.
• At least four weeks prior to your appointment, discontinue unprotected sun exposure, tanning beds and tanning creams on the areas receiving treatment.

After an IPL photofacial, it’s normal to notice your skin looking slightly red or feeling warm, similar to a mild sunburn, for a few hours to a day. Brown spots treated during your session will usually darken over the next few days before gradually flaking off, revealing clearer, more even-toned skin beneath. You may also notice immediate improvement in visible vessels, with continued fading in the weeks that follow. Mild swelling can occur, but it typically resolves within a day or two. Most patients can resume their normal activities right away but should avoid direct sun exposure and follow any aftercare instructions to protect their results and support the healing process.