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Photofacial/ IPL

Sun damage, sun spots, redness, and tiny dilated capillaries or broken blood vessels are common concerns for lots of women and men as we grow older.  Photofacial treatments (also called IPL) are quick and effective treatments for these concerns, and have little to no associated downtime in addition to great results.

Photofacial/ IPL in Atlanta, GA

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Photofacial IPL

What is a Photofacial?

A gentler cousin of laser treatments, a photofacial (also called a “fotofacial,” IPL or intense pulsed light) is a treatment that addresses superficial brown and red colors in the skin–like sun spots, sun damage, background redness, and small dilated blood vessels that appear right under the skin’s surface.  Photofacial treatments work well on women and men with lighter skin tones who are bothered by brown sun spots, and redness or red scars, and acne.     

Photofacials or IPL facials are short, carry minimal discomfort and few risks, and boast very little or no downtime.  Most of our patients return to their regular activities immediate after photofacial/ IPL treatments.  Photofacials are a great addition to effective, medical-grade skincare for lots of our patients, especially those who busy lifestyles cannot afford the downtime of more aggressive CO2 laser treatments and chemical peels.  

The Benefits of a Photofacial

Confidence in their appearance helps our patients look and feel their best every day, and this feeling extends to our patients’ professional and personal lives.  In addition to improved self-confidence, photofacial treatments brings:

  • A more even pigmentation within the skin
  • Fewer visible dilated or broke capillaries
  • Less red and visible acne and surgical scars
  • Fewer signs of sundamage (also called photoaging) such as brown spots, sun spots, and age spots on the face, neck, chest, and hands
  • Long-lasting results that carry a high patient satisfaction rate

Am I a Candidate for a Photofacial?

As with any other treatment, a photofacial is an excellent treatment option for some patients.  Best candidates are individuals who are:

  • Bothered by signs of sun damage, such as sun spots and age spots
  • Bothered by redness within their skin
  • Want to improve skin redness or the appearance of dilated or broken blood vessels
  • Have acne or red acne scarring 
  • Want to improve the skin’s texture
  • Have less as opposed to more melanin, the skin’s color pigment
  • Want to improve their skin’s appearance without a long or extensive recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

Photofacial treatments carry minimal and short-lived discomfort.  Most patients describe a sensation of a rubber band snapping against the treated skin, and say this sensation resolves in seconds. While the discomfort of photofacials is minimal and short-lived, some patients may feel anxious or nervous about treatment.  We offer laughing gas (called ProNox) to help ease nerves during treatment.  

Recovery after photofacial/ IPL treatment usually does not involve pain or discomfort; it is common to have very mild swelling that resolves in 1-2 days after treatment.  Some patients may experience bruising, especially during treatments for redness or dilated or broken blood vessels; most bruising takes ~1 week to resolve, and may be covered with makeup during this time.  Brown spots or sun spots treated with IPL frequently become darker, and look like coffee grounds sitting on the skin.  These dark spots may take up to 7-10 days to flake off; they may be covered with makeup during one’s recovery.  

Photofacial/ IPL risks include bruising, skin irritation, tenderness, swelling, and burns.  We advise patients to share with us in detail all the medications and supplements they take.  Blood-thinning medications like Aspirin and fish oil may increase the risk of bleeding with photofacial treatments.  Certain antibiotics (like Doxycycline and Minocycline) are photosensitizing and should be avoided for 3-4 days before treatment to decrease the risk of burns.

Most commonly, photofacial treatments are considered a cosmetic procedure and are not typically covered by insurance.  We do not contract with insurance plans at Aviva Plastic Surgery; and all treatments are self-pay at our practice. 

We offer financing options for treatments in our practice.  Please inquire with our staff about this at the time of your consultation.

Every patient has individually different anatomy and aesthetic goals; because of this, we encourage individuals interested in photofacial treatments to schedule a consultation with our expert staff to receive custom-tailored treatment recommendations and pricing information.  On average, a photofacial treatment of the face or hands is priced at $350-400, and recommend 3-4 treatment sessions with annual maintenance treatments for best results.  

What Should I Expect During My Photofacial/ IPL Treatment?​

Photofacial or IPL treatments are short procedures with minimal downtime.  You should expect to be in our office for approximately 45-60 minutes for a photofacial treatment, though your appointment may last longer depending on how many areas you will have treated.

We ask that you arrive having reviewed your before and after Photofacial/ IPL Treatment Instructions, and with no makeup.  If you do come with makeup, we ask that you cleanse the treated areas thoroughly before IPL treatment.  Depending on the areas to be treated, we may ask you to remove clothing and change into a treatment going.  Once the treated areas are clean and ready, we apply eye protection in the form of metallic glasses to help protect your eyes during treatment.  We also place a thin layer of clear ultrasound gel to the to-be-treated areas, and then apply very short bursts of light energy via precise applicator to target the excess reds or browns on the treated skin.  Treatment feels like tiny rubber bands snapping against the skin, and this sensation resolves in 1-2 seconds.  After your photofacial treatment is completed, we remove the treatment gel and apply sunblock to the treated areas.  You are then released from our office with post-treatment instructions and recommendations to schedule your next treatment in 4-6 weeks.

Photofacial/ IPL Treatment Care Instructions

Dr. Inessa fishman and our staff are strongly invested in both excellent treatment results and an uncomplicated recovery for our patients. We work with you before and after your photofacial treatment to ensure that you are comfortable with the treatment plan and are thoroughly educated about the best before and after treatment care.  

We recommend reviewing the Pre- and Post-Treatment Photofacial instructions several times prior to and after your treatment.  We want to provide you with the information and tools you need to have an excellent treatment experience.  Please contact our office should you have any questions or concerns about these instructions, your preparation for treatment, or post-treatment recovery. We are here to help!

Please read and familiarize yourself with these instructions before and after your labiaplasty. By following them carefully you will assist in obtaining the best result from your surgery. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office.

  • Avoid sun exposure for 4-6 weeks before and after photofacial/ IPL treatments.  Apply SPF30 sunscreen daily, and do not tan at all for 4-6 weeks before and after treatments.  Avoid self-tanners and “fake tan” products as well.  
  • Do not use any retinol, retinoid, and tretinoin products or exfoliants on the area to be treated for one week. Avoid exfoliting the treated area for 1 week before treatment.  Avoid Accutane (or isotretinoin products) for 6 months prior to photofacial treatment.
  •     Inform our staff if you have a history of hyperpigmentation or melasma.
  • If you have a history of cold sores, please notify Dr. Fishman prior to your photofacial treatment. We will write you a prescription for a prophylactic antiviral medication to start on the day of the treatment to prevent a flare up of cold sores. If you have a current prescription, Valtrex 1000mg should be taken by mouth twice daily on the day before, the day of, and the day after your treatment.
  •     Notify Dr. Fishman if you have had any cosmetic tattooing on or near the area to be treated.
  •     Stop photosensitizing medications including doxycycline and minocycline 3 days prior to treatment.
  • Anticipate a social down-time of 2-5 days before redness, swelling and sloughing of the treated sunspots and brown spots has subsided.  Redness and treated brown spots may be covered with make-up immediately after treatment.
  • Come to your appointment with a clean face (or area to be treated); remove all makeup and other skincare products from the area to be treated.
  • Immediately after photofacial treatment, apply Aloe Vera gel or Epionce Enriched Firming Mask on unopened skin to help minimize redness and swelling, and provide comfort. Cool compresses may also be applied at intervals of 15 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours if needed for swelling or tenderness.
  • You may have a mild-moderate sunburn (burning) sensation following the photofacial treatment; this is normal, and usually resolves within 2-24 hours (though may persist up to 72 hours). Skin redness is common and may last 1-3 days.  Mild swelling may last 1-2 days.
  • If needed, use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Motrin, Aspirin, etc. to help reduce discomfort and swelling.
  • Blistering is unusual; please contact us as soon as possible if you experience blistering or worsening pain. If the treated area blisters, cover it with a thin layer of Aquaphor or Vaseline twice daily.  Contact us if you are concerned about infection. If any pigment changes are bothersome or persist beyond 4 weeks, please contact us 678.974.8435. 
  • Bathe or shower as usual, using lukewarm (not hot) water; use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil or Epionce.  Treated areas may be temperature sensitive.  Cool showers or baths, or cool compresses, may offer relief.
  • Apply a light moisturizer twice a day. Makeup can be applied immediately after photofacial treatments (if the skin is not broken).
  • Your skin will be fragile for 2-3 days. Use gentle cleansers (like Cerave or Cetaphil). Do not rub or exfoliate the skin and avoid hot water during this time. Do not use loofahs, scrub brushes, and exfoliants for 1 week.  
  • Do not use any retinoids, tretinoins, alpha or beta hydroxy products, vitamin C products, scrub, or have chemical peels performed on the areas treated area for 1 week.
  • Avoid prolonged sun exposure and use SPF 30 sunblock daily. Avoid sweating, excessive heat, or friction to the treated area (heavy exercise, saunas, exfoliation).
  • Sun spots and age spots will DARKEN with the photofacial/ IPL treatments before they begin to flake off and resolve. This darkening is expected, may be associated with a thin red rim around the brown spot, and is a normal part of the IPL process. Do not pick at these spots once they become dry. They will lift and fall off or flake off on their own.  Removing scabs or crusts that form following your treatment may result in an infection and may lead to scarring.  
  • Avoid swimming in pools, exposure to chlorinated water; hot tubs; jacuzzis; saunas; and activities which cause excessive sweating for 3 days after treatment.
  • Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanning creams to treated areas for 6 weeks prior to and after treatment.  Apply a sun block with SPF 30 or greater daily to sun-exposed, unopened skin between treatments and for a month after treatment.

Trust Our Expert Staff for the Best Photofacial in Atlanta and Sandy Springs, GA

Our mission at Aviva Plastic Surgery is simple – help patients achieve greater confidence and their best health.  By offering photofacial treatments in a welcoming, professional environment, we have helped many women and men feel more confident in their appearance and achieve their best skin health.  To learn more about our skincare treatments, medical grade skincare programs, and our aesthetic treatments, call our clinic at 678-974-8435.  We look forward to taking care of you!

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