Are you unhappy with the way your skin looks? Are you noticing issues like aging, sagging, or discoloration? At Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO, we can help. Our Photorejuvenation treatments can help you maintain younger and healthier-looking skin which, in turn, will help you look and feel much more confident.
How Many Photorejuvenation Treatments Are Needed?
This cosmetic treatment sometimes called a photofacial, is a great way to restore your skin to its former younger and healthier appearance. It’s natural to see changes in the way your skin looks and feels as you get older, but if you don’t like the way you look because of these changes, this treatment can help.
To get the full results they’re looking for, most patients require around 4 to 6 Photorejuvenation treatments in total. These treatment sessions will generally be spaced around four weeks apart.
Why Is My Skin Changing?
Getting a photofacial can help to treat an array of cosmetic concerns. Aging-related concerns are just one example. As you get older, your skin becomes less effective at producing important chemicals like collagen and elastin. These are chemicals that help your skin maintain its elasticity and structure.
As your skin loses these chemicals, your skin has a harder time staying elastic and smoothing out when the muscles underneath are relaxed. You’ll also find that gravity takes a stronger hold, pulling it downward. This is what causes aging-related skin issues like wrinkling and sagging.
What Is Photorejuvenation
This is an exciting cosmetic treatment option that uses light and laser therapy to help skin stay smooth and youthful-looking. It’s been around for about ten years and is a popular treatment option since it is non-invasive and requires no downtime after treatment is complete.
A photofacial uses two different types of light: LED and IPL. When applied to your desired areas, both of these types of light penetrate your skin and stimulate your skin’s production of collagen and elastin. This helps your skin get back to its smooth and youthful-looking appearance while preventing further signs of aging from appearing.
What Is IPL Light?
IPL or intense-pulse light is a type of broad-spectrum light. When it’s used as part of this treatment, it sends high-intensity light pulses into your skin. This makes the blood vessels and the collagen in your skin constrict while causing no harm to your skin itself.
IPL is particularly effective at targeting cosmetic concerns like redness or discoloration. The light is absorbed by the melanin and red blood cells deep under your skin, breaking up pigmentation and helping your skin look clear and even.
What Is LED Light?
Light-emitting diode treatment uses different colors and wavelengths than IPL treatments. The color and wavelength used will depend on the concern and area you are targeting. For instance, if you have lines on your face you would like to reduce or get rid of, a red light will be used.
Blue light, on the other hand, is antibacterial and will help to reduce acne. Green light can be used for problems related to an excess of melanin by breaking up this pigmentation and helping your skin appear bright.
What Is Getting a Photofacial Like?
Before Your Treatment
When you visit our clinic, we will sit down for a consultation with you to determine what exactly your concerns and goals are. If you have any questions about your treatment at any point, please do not hesitate to ask. We’ll also provide you with instructions on how you need to prepare for your treatment.
For at least a month before your appointment, you’ll need to avoid tanning. For the week leading up to your appointment, you should avoid substances like alcohol and tobacco, and be sure to let us know if you are taking any antibiotics or blood thinners, as well as if you have recently had Accutane treatments.
Your Treatment
Before you head to your appointment, make sure to remove any makeup or skincare products you have on the area you’re treating. Before we apply the light to the areas you’re looking to treat, we’ll clean your skin and supply you with protective eyewear. Once your skin is ready, we can start treatment.
The entire treatment process will be fast and pain-free. Most sessions last anywhere from 20 minutes to around an hour. The total length of time will depend on what areas you are getting treated. As soon as your treatment is finished, you can leave the clinic.
After Your Treatment
We will provide you with instructions on how to properly care for your skin after you have received your photofacial. You are going to need to make sure that you are keeping your skin hydrated by regularly applying a moisturizer. You should also clean your skin twice a day using a gentle cleanser. Also, remember to apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF every few hours.
We’ll also let you know what you need to avoid as your skin heals. You should stay out of direct sunlight for at least 30 days since your skin will be more sensitive. Don’t perform any strenuous physical activity and don’t take particularly hot showers or baths over the next few days.
What Can Photorejuvenation Treat?
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are caused by a combination of factors including a loss of elasticity and volume in the skin as well as repeated facial movements and the natural effects of gravity. Wrinkles can drastically age a person’s appearance and make them look far older than they feel inside.
Getting a photofacial can encourage your skin to produce more collagen which will firm up your loose skin. This will reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face and help you look naturally younger.
Sagging
Another side effect of aging is skin sagging. The looser your skin gets, the more it will start to sag. You’re likely to see this most noticeably around your jawline as well as areas like your neck and chest.
For a younger, smoother overall appearance, this treatment is perfect. As it stimulates collagen production, your skin will become not only firmer but tighter too. Sagging skin will lift and areas like your jawline will appear much more defined.
Acne
Not only can a photofacial treat aging concerns, but it can also treat other cosmetic concerns like acne. Dealing with acne, especially chronic acne, can be frustrating. Not only is acne uncomfortable and even painful at times, but you might find that your self-esteem is heavily affected as well.
The good news is that you can get this treatment to reduce your acne. It’s most effective on mild to moderate inflammatory acne. When this treatment is applied to your skin, it acts as an antibacterial, killing the bacteria that cause acne to appear on your skin. Enjoy clear, healthy, and discomfort-free skin when you get this treatment.
Hyperpigmentation
Are you noticing dark spots on your face? These can be major signs of aging, and they can make your skin appear overall dull instead of bright and healthy. Dark spots are caused by an excess of melanin, and they can be triggered by an array of factors including excessive sun exposure, hormonal changes, and aging.
If you don’t like the way your dark spots are making you look, you can receive this treatment to help break up the hyperpigmentation that you’re seeing. This will help your skin look overall brighter and clearer.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a very common skin condition that causes redness on the face. It is chronic and incurable, but there are effective ways to help manage your rosacea.
One of the most effective ways is by getting a photofacial. When red light LED treatment is applied to the area, this will help to reduce inflammation and significantly lessen the severity of your symptoms.
Your Results
Most people see the full results of their treatment after about 3 to 5 months. You’ll begin to see the results of your treatment after about a week of receiving them.
You should notice that your skin looks firmer and that the fine lines and wrinkles you have on your face begin to diminish, along with any other cosmetic concerns you may have.
Get in Touch Today
If you are thinking about getting Photorejuvenation to help your skin look and feel more youthful and healthier, it’s time to give us a call. We’ll be happy to welcome you to our clinic. Book an appointment today at Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO.