What is a Photofacial Treatment?
The word“photo” simply means “light.” So a“photofacial” literally means a facial using light. A photofacial gives you all the benefits of a traditional facial as well as many more. It simply uses light in order to achieve the desired results instead of various tools, masks, or creams.
The Benefits of Photofacial Treatments
Depending on the type of photofacial you choose, the course of treatments can reduce the appearance of or correct:
- Acne and acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation, freckles, liver spots, age spots & sun damage
- Vascular lesions such as cherry angiomas, spider veins and redness (such as from rosacea)
- Fine lines & wrinkles
Types of Photofacial Treatments
There are two general types of photofacial to choose from:
- an IPL photofacial
- a non-IPL photofacial – usually an LED photofacial
An IPL photofacial is the most popular type of photofacial. It is intended to treat:
- Hyperpigmentation, freckles, liver spots, age spots & sun damage
- Vascular lesions such as cherry angiomas, spider veins and redness (such as from rosacea)
a LED photofacial can treat all those things AND also effectively treat inflammatory acne, fine lines and wrinkles.
Here’s a quick list of what makes them different:
IPL Photofacial Treatments
- Commonly treats hyperpigmentation, freckles, liver spots, age spots & sun damage, spider veins & red spots
- Professionally administered
- Feels like being ‘snapped by a rubber band”
- Entails risk of burning
- typical 3-8 sessions before periodic maintenance
- achieves impressive results over time
LED Photofacial Treatments
- Commonly treats active inflammatory acne, hyperpigmentation, freckles, liver spots, age spots & sun damage, spider veins & red spots, fine lines & wrinkles by boosting collagen production
- Can be done by a professional or self administered in your own home
- Painless
- No risk of burning
- typical 8-24 sessions before periodic maintenance (collagen increases slowly over time.)
- achieves impressive results over time
Possible Side Effects of Photofacial Treatments
Photofacial side effects depend on the type you choose and the education and experience of the technician handling the equipment.
If you go with an IPL photofacial, which could be under the brand name BBL, BodyBrite or others, then there could be some side effects such as burning, redness, swelling or peeling after the treatment. This is because the equipment is using intense pulses of light which generate high heat with each pulse.
The best way to find out if there will be side effects to the IPL photofacial treatment you are considering is to ask for references from your practitioner and actually call them to find out how their experience went.
If you go with a non IPL photofacial, like an LED photofacial or an ELT type, then there no adverse photofacial side effects to expect. This is because these types of photofacials depend on the color of the light, not intensity or heat, to achieve the desired results.
