The development of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin is simply part of growing older, but it often happens too quickly. The environment, the processed foods we eat and the stressful lives we live can speed up the aging process significantly. Choosing a highly invasive cosmetic procedure isn’t always necessary. There are countless procedures that are non-invasive, safe and effective for reducing signs of aging. Dermal fillers, Botox®, and chemical peels are effective non-ablative treatments that can produce compelling results. Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments can safely and quickly reduce common signs of aging in men and women.
How IPL Lasers Work
Lasers that are used in non-invasive cosmetic procedures generally utilize one of two forms of energy: radio-frequency energy and light energy. Intense pulsed light lasers emit concentrated light beams and are used in aesthetic as well as medical procedures. IPL lasers emit pulsed light beams that are composed of many different wavelengths of light. This means that many colors of light are contained in one light beam, making intense pulsed light treatments beneficial for people of all races and skin tones.
Color absorbs light, and the darker the color the more light is absorbed. The darker the skin of an individual, the more of the light beam will be absorbed. While this can seem risky or dangerous, remember that IPL laser beams can be adjusted for wavelength and resultant absorption by the skin. The laser beam that is generated is both intense and gentle because of the varying wavelengths as well as the pulsing. While IPL laser beams can appear to be constant, the pulsing that is imperceptible to the human eye gives the skin enough of a break, even if just for a millisecond, to absorb the light energy without being burned.
The IPL laser beam reaches into the layers of skin underneath the epidermis, called the dermis. When the skin is heated this way, the body notices it as a mild skin injury. The immune system then kicks in, initiating the healing process. This causes the production of key proteins and enzymes like collagen and elastin, which the skin absorbs at a higher rate than before the procedures were performed.
What Can IPL Lasers Treat?
IPL laser therapy can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as reduce the appearance of common skin blemishes. If you have any kind of scarring on your skin, including acne and wound scars, they can be diminished with IPL lasers.
It takes several weeks for most of our clients to get the results they’re looking for. If you’re ready for younger and smoother skin, you can start the process by learning more from the educated staff at Urban Allure in San Francisco, CA. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
