A Closer Look at Photofacials

Thanks to advances in aesthetic technology and treatments, there are many nonsurgical options that can improve the look of your skin. From cosmetic injections to chemical peels to light therapy. 

At Montclair Rejuvenation Center in Verona and West Caldwell, New Jersey, we’re always on the lookout for the latest in aesthetic and wellness treatments so we can help our clients look and feel their best. Photofacials are one of our most popular aesthetic treatments

In this month’s blog, our highly skilled team, led by Dr. Kelly Distefano, wants to tell you all about our photofacials and why so many of our clients love it.

About photofacials

Photofacials are a noninvasive, non-ablative skin rejuvenating treatment. For our photofacials, we use the intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) feature on our Venus Versa™, an advanced multifunction aesthetic tool from Venus Concept — a world leader in the medical aesthetic industry.

IPL is a type of light therapy that sends out high-powered pulses of visible light at varying wavelengths that target pigments under the surface of the skin. The energy created by the pulses of light heats and corrects the imperfections under your skin, safely and effectively diminishing the discoloration, improving skin tone and texture.

Because IPL therapy is non-ablative, it doesn’t cause any visible damage to the surface of your skin. 

Who should get a photofacial?

We do an in-depth consultation before making any treatment recommendations. Photofacials can treat a number of skin concerns, but it’s not the right treatment for everyone. 

We perform photofacials to treat:

• Age spots
• Sun damage
• Freckles
• Melasma
• Acne scars
• Spider veins
• Skin redness
• Port wine stains
• Red birthmarks

Many people turn to photofacials to reduce the visible signs of premature aging, such as brown spots, an uneven complexion, and visible veins. IPL therapy may also lessen the appearance of fine lines. 

IPL therapy targets skin pigmentation and works best on light to medium skin tones. 

What to expect during and after

We customize our photofacials to address individual needs. Treatments take about 15-20 minutes and cause very little pain. 

Our Venus Versa IPL has a cooling system that protects your skin during treatment to minimize discomfort. However, you may feel a snapping sensation as the pulses of light hit your skin. If you’re sensitive to pain, we can make adjustments to your plan so you remain as comfortable as possible.

Though your skin may feel warm and tight following your photofacial, you can resume your usual activities after your treatment. Photofacials are so quick and cause so few side effects that you can schedule your session during your lunch break and go back to work after.

You can apply makeup immediately following your photofacial. But remember to apply sunscreen first. Light therapy makes your skin more sensitive to the sun and without proper protection may lead to hyperpigmentation. 

It’s normal for freckles and brown spots to darken following IPL therapy, but they flake off within 1-3 weeks. You may see improvements in your skin within a week after your photofacial and continued improvements over the next several weeks. 

Because photofacials are so gentle, you may need a series of treatments to get the best results. 

Photofacials are the perfect anti-aging tool, rejuvenating your skin from the inside out, providing subtle, yet remarkable results. And, without any downtime.

Do you want to know more about photofacials and how they can restore your youthful look? Call our office most convenient to you or book an appointment online today to schedule your consultation.