One of the most common complaints one hears from patients seeking skin treatment is that of age spots, otherwise known as liver spots. Age spots are just one of several things that can cause uneven skin tone. For instance patients often complain of redness from rosacea, acne scars and discoloration from extensive sun damage amongst others. All of these cause the skin to become uneven in color and tone and the overall effect can be that of tired looking, unhealthy skin. Many find age spots to be particularly distressing, as the name suggests they are often associated with getting older.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, or as it is often known PhotoFacial gives a solution to uneven skin tone without needing to resort to invasive and painful treatments. During IPL treatment, pulses of intense light are directed at the skin, penetrating the skin surface and reaching the deep underlying layers of the skin. The pulsating light can stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production and make the small blood vessels under the skin’s surface constrict which in turn reduces the overall redness of the treated area. Due to the increased collagen production small wrinkles also appear smoother and the skin regains its youthful appearance.

PhotoFacial treatments are considered to be minimally invasive and safe procedures that can suit a large array of patients. A typical PhotoFacial procedure lasts around 30 minutes though this will depend on the area treated. It is often recommended to have a few IPL treatments for optimum results. In most cases the IPL treatment is virtually pain free and the mild discomfort that can be experienced by the patient is often soothed with a cooling gel or ice packs following the procedure.

There is no associated recovery time after PhotoFacial treatment and patients don’t need to take time off work. The results of PhotoFacial treatment can take a few weeks to become apparent and can last up to a year. It is advised that all patients wear sunscreen following treatment as the skin can become sensitive to light and overall results will be more pronounced.