Do you look a bit older than your actual age? Prematurely aging skin can be caused by a number of factors, like genetics, smoking, environmental toxins and prolonged sun exposure. No matter what the reason, conditions like dull, rough skin with wrinkles and other skin problems can cause others to have an unnecessarily negative opinion of you. IPL treatment can help.

IPL is an increasingly popular type of technology that has actually been around for several years now to help with a number of skin problems. It has applications ranging from hair removal to skin rejuvenation. This treatment is normally performed for cosmetic and therapeutic reasons.

 IPL is a proven, minimally invasive treatment that helps to turn back the clock on aging skin to restore you to a more youthful appearance. It works through the direction of pulsed light energy into the skin, which is then converted into thermal energy when the target is reached. In this case, the target is abnormal skin tissue that absorbs the light and heat. This destroys the problem skin and helps to even it out, as well as being helpful in minimizing lines and wrinkles.

Some problems treated by IPL other than hair removal include:

• Skin blotches
• Skin redness
• Age spots and sunspots
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Scars

IPL vs. Chemical Peels

When it comes to cosmetic treatments, it's important to thoroughly consider your treatment options so that you find the best one to suit you and your goals and needs. Chemical peels are an alternative to IPL treatment that involve the placement of a chemical solution onto the surface of the skin. The chemicals will destroy some of the outer skin tissue, which sloughs away to reveal fresher skin underneath that is less affected by many common skin problems like scars and facial aging.

Although chemical peels are certainly good at what they do, they are not for everyone. One of the main drawbacks of chemical peels compared to IPL treatment is that there may be significant downtime involved. In fact, you may look downright scary for a few weeks, potentially months, while your skin heals from this strong treatment.

In contrast, undergoing an IPL treatment is much safer because only problem skin is affected by the treatment. Since less skin tissue is damaged during the treatment process, you can expect to resume your normal activities immediately following an IPL treatment. Chemical peels, on the other hand, can be painful and involve lengthy recovery periods.

Regular IPL Treatments

You would probably benefit from undergoing multiple IPL treatment sessions to gradually improve the appearance of your skin. The treatment will alter the structure of your skin cells, making them more like youthful cells. A lengthy study conducted by Stanford University found that undergoing three or four IPL treatments annually for 10 years led to a positive alteration of skin cell genes. Regular treatment sessions turned treated skin cells into young and healthy cells.

After Your IPL Treatment

To achieve optimal results from your IPL treatment, and to ensure that you heal as quickly as possible, be sure to avoid sun exposure immediately after your treatment. The therapy will temporarily sensitize your skin to things like sunlight. Be sure to use a good sunscreen following your treatment to protect it during this vulnerable time period.

It is also important to watch your diet before and after an IPL treatment. This is because weight fluctuations tend to distort the skin, either by loosening or stretching, which can undo the positive aspects of increased collagen production.

Following IPL therapy, you need to take into account that your skin will be somewhat sensitive for a while. Avoid the use of harsh abrasive and cleansers. Do not experiment with exotic products. Stick with what you know is safe for your skin type.

Use a good sunscreen to protect your skin from UV radiation. You should also be cleaning your skin twice daily using warm water and mild cleansers.

The Bottom Line

IPL skin rejuvenation is a proven method of safely and effectively minimizing many common skin conditions, such as skin affected by sun exposure and the aging process.

Following all required steps means that you should heal rapidly and enjoy healthier, more youthful-looking skin that helps to improve your quality of life and self-esteem.