Fotofacial for Beauty
FotoFacial ™, PhotoFacial ™, and others are trade marks
that implement Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) which is also known as, High Intensity Light Therapy, computer controlled light therapy, light laser, Multi Light, or PhotoLaser.
It is based on emitting high intensity pulses of light (Not Laser) which penetrate the skin to deal with various complaints and rid you of them.
How Does Fotofacial Work
The light pulse is regulated to a specific wave length range, which target a specific lesion to heat and damage or destry it, while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. This is done through a highly advanced computer, which ultimately control the depth and degree of heat, so that there are no complications attributed to these specific factors.
The heat target either Hemoglobin in the blood vessels, or Melanin in the skin or hair shaft.
High Intensity Pulsed Machines
- PhotoDerm VL ( vascular lesions ):
This machine targets light pulses at hemoglobin in the spider veins or varicose veins, and also in the vascular birth marks
- PhotoDerm PL ( Pigmented lesions ):
This machine targets light pulses at melanin in the age spots, frickles, flat pigmented birthmarks and other types of skin discoloration
- PhotoDerm HR and Epilight ( Hair removal ):
Like the PhotoDerm PL above, the pulses of light target the melanin in hair shaft and travel to the follicle, heating and destroying them. When the follicle is destroyed, unwanted hair removal will be possibly permanent.
The hair follicle must be caught during their growing phase for them to be destroyed, or some hair grows back faster than the others.
Best Conditions for Fotofacial Usage
* It is the only proven therapy to help with redness ( rosacae, flushing)
* Age/liver spots
* Fine wrinkles (rhytids)
* Facial flushing
* Broken capillaries
* Telangiectasis (purple or blue veins on the face)
* Hemangiomas ( Strawberry hemangiomas: sacs of purple or blue blood vessels resembling a blister)
* Freckles
* Minor sun damage
* Port wine stains
* Tattos
* Varicose veins, spider veins
* Flat birthmarks
* Hypo-pigmentation
* Hair removal
Redness (Rosacea)
Hemangioms
Port Wine Stain
Freckles
Varicose Veins
Teliectasis
Best Candidates for Fotofacial
The best candidate for Intense pulsed light would be of white European descent with elastic, non-oily skin. Other good candidates are those who are prone to blisters, burns , and long recovery time with medium depth laser, chemical peel, or other types of resurfacing procedures.
Individuals who need a qualified doctor or dermatologist to determine if they are eligible for fotofacial include, those who have ethnicity in their biological families (like Greek, Italian, or African American) may be prone to hyper or hypo pigmentation from the procedure.
People who are not Eligible for fotofacial include:
* Insulin dependent diabetics. If one takes oral hypoglycemics, thay must provide a letter from their primary care physician stating that the concerned person approved for Hi Pulsed Light Therapy
* Individuals who have a blood clotting disorder ( excessive bleeding)
* Those who are prone to keloids, hyper- or hypo-pigmentation, dark skinned, dark tanned or do not react well to burns
What Now?
Intense facial light systems are expensive (ESC Medical systems in Needham, Massachusetts, cost $ 130,000). If you decide to make it, search for a respectable clinic or practice in your area. During the consultation appointment your doctor will ask you a trillion questions, which you should answer them all honestly, so that he tells you exactly what can and what cannot be done syccessfully with you.
If you are eligible, a test patch is done for you for $75. He explains to you the map of the areas to be treated, and how many treatments you will need.
Procedure :
It involves a topical anesthetic, a soothing gel, and a glass prism (pyramid) to be placed over the treatment area. An intense flash of of light, is flashed through the prism where it is directed at the treatment area. The intensity of treatment will be upgraded in the successive treatments which are usually performed every 3-4 weeks.
More About Intense Pulsed Light
You do not need downtime for the treatment plan, since you resume your normal activities after the treatment, nevertheless, you should protect your treatment area from UV light.
You may acquire a slight pink or red color and or mild swelling after treatment, which should subside within a few days, or you tell your doctor.
There are rare side effects of the treatment like, blistering or slight bleeding, as well aslightened or darkened areas of the skin (hypo- or hyper-pigmentation)
If pigmentation problems happen, they may take any time from 3 to 12 months before normal skin tone comes back. Specially with lack of color (hypo-pigmentation). Some people may experience permanent skin pigmentation changes.
Another rare side effect is scarring.
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