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IPL to Reverse Summer Sun Damage

Submitted by drgailhumble on November 5, 2012

It’s November and summer is still lingering (it’s supposed to reach 90 in Redondo Beach today)! The weather reminded me of an article that colleague Daniela Leslie (NP-C) published recently about treating sun damage with non-ablative IPL (Intense Pulse Light). She echoes my sentiments so I thought I would reblog her short article for my patients edification. Thanks Daniela! Now that summer is over, are you ready to lighten brown spots and red spots on your face? Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-ablative technology that emits light across a spectrum of wavelengths to lighten brown spots and red spots on the skin, resulting in smoother skin with a more uniform skin tone. A non-ablative laser or light source does not create a wound on the skin and is considered very safe with minimal side effects and risk.   IPL is different from a laser in that a laser fires a single wavelength of light while the light of IPL contains several different wavelengths, making IPL effective for reducing both red and brown tones on the skin.  IPL treatments even out irregular skin pigmentation and improve the appearance of sun damaged and aged skin.  IPL also reduces the redness and flushing from rosacea and broken capillaries. Commonly treated areas include the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. A series of four to six monthly treatments are generally needed. After each treatment session, redness and swelling can occur, but they usually resolve in a few hours. Treated brown spots will appear darker for about a week, when they gradually slough off. 

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