Doctor V interviews Medical Aesthetic Technician Mia about IPL (Fotofacials, Intense Pulsed Light)
Serving Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and Surrounding Areas
Mia has been working in our aesthetic centre for four years. She performs IPL Fotofacials, Blue light therapy, laser hair removal, chemical peels microdermabrasion and medical facials. She has performed numerous treatments and I have asked her to answer some commonly asked questions.
Doctor V:. What do patients enjoy most about IPL - Intense Pulsed Light Photofacials?
Mia: Patients like the fact that they can correct a number of skin conditions and imperfections such as rosacea, small veins, sun spots and uneven pigmentation that have bothered them for years. They also like that these results can be achieved with minimal to no downtime.
Doctor V: Is it painful?
Mia: The IPL treatment is slightly uncomfortable. Most patients describe it as a flicking sensation with some heat.
Doctor V: How do you make the treatment more comfortable?
Mia: There are a few steps we take to try and make the patient feel more comfortable. The IPL has a chilling tip that cools the skin upon contact. We also keep our gel in the fridge so it can cool the skin before the treatment is done. Once the treatment is over we will put cool cloths on the skin to take away some of the heat the patient may be experiencing. One last step we take to make the patient feel more comfortable is putting on a post procedure cream with soothing ingredients to help start the healing process of the skin.
Doctor V: What is most satisfying about doing IPL treatments?
Mia: I feel that the most satisfying part of doing IPL is seeing the patient at their next visit whether it be a follow up appointment or a treatment because at that time I am able to see the results they achieved from the last treatment. The patients usually come in very happy and feel much more confident with their skin.
Doctor V: What types of spots and conditions have you treated with IPL?
Mia: I have treated many spots and conditions with IPL such as spider veins, cherry hemangiomas, sunspots, age spots, freckles, abnormal skin pigmentation and rosacea.
Doctor V: Which treatments can be combined with IPL to make it even more effective?
Mia: Microdermabrasion can be combined with IPL on the same day to enhance the results. The microdermabrasion is a deep exfoliation of the skin that removes the dead built up skin cells that sit on the surface acting as a barrier. Once this build up is removed the light can penetrate through the epidermis (1st layer of the skin) into the dermis (2nd layer of the skin) where most of the damage sits. Therefore, pulling out more damage that is not yet seen with the naked eye.
Doctor V: Who should not have an IPL treatment?
Mia: Patients who have lupus, porphyria (a rare blood disease), extreme sensitivity to light, are on photosensitizing medications, have a dark skin colour, (south Asian, African) have a tan or are prone to keloids (thick scars after healing) should not have IPL.
Doctor V: Is IPL a laser?
Mia: No, IPL is not a Laser. IPL is not as invasive as some of the lasers out there. Lasers usually target one skin problem (e.g. blood vessels) using one wavelength of light at a time. IPL uses several colour wavelengths at a time. In this way IPL is able to target more than one skin concern such as unwanted freckling, unwanted broken capillaries and sun damage. The different wavelengths of light in IPL are each absorbed into different problem areas of the skin. The light energy that is absorbed gets converted into heat which then removes the unwanted freckling, blood vessels etc.
Doctor V: Which areas of the body can be treated with IPL?
Mia: Most areas of the body can be treated. The most common area that I treat is the face, followed by the neck, hands and upper chest. Shoulders, the back, arms and legs can also be treated.
Doctor V: How long does an IPL treatment of the face take?
Mia: An IPL of the face will take about 40 mins from start to finish. On the first visit we will make sure that the patient understands all of the information involved in having an IPL treatment done. We also take before photos so that the patient as well as the technician can see an improvement in the skin at future visits. We will also make sure that the patient understands all of the post care instructions once they leave the clinic.
Doctor V: How long have you been doing IPL fotofacials?
Mia: I have been doing laser hair removal and IPL for 5 years overall and 4 years in Dr. Vignjevic’s clinic. They are both treatments that I enjoy performing very much.