If you are concerned about how your facial skin appears because of sun damage or dark spots, board-certified physician Dr. Tricia Shimer can perform a skin analysis at our Dallas, TX office to see if you qualify for Lumecca IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy. A photofacial with IPL is a skin rejuvenation treatment for adult men and women with hyperpigmentation problems on the face and chest. A photofacial is not an invasive procedure; however, it can be highly effective and produce impressive results. Evolve Med Spa uses intense pulses of light to heat the skin and set off the natural regeneration process, forcing pigment to resurface and capillaries to disappear. What remains is beautifully even-toned skin.

IPL photofacials performed with Lumecca IPL treatments by the experienced team at Evolve Med Spa are a great option for those who want a simple procedure to reduce irregularities on the skin and obtain a refreshed look. Benefits of IPL treatments at our Dallas, TX office may include:

• Diminishing fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging
• Improving sun-damaged skin
• Rejuvenating and refreshing the skin
• Improving skin tone
• Treating acne
• Reducing skin discoloration (melasma, age spots, freckles, birthmarks, hyperpigmentation, etc.)
• Reducing the appearance of veins and capillaries
• Helping to prevent premature aging
• Effective for multiple body areas
• Pairs well with other aesthetic treatments
• A fast, easy procedure

A photofacial works deep within the layers of your skin to improve several complexion concerns (particularly brown lesions and sun spots) with little or no recovery needed. The best candidates for IPL treatments at Evolve Med Spa may have a combination of issues with their complexion, including sun damage, rosacea, brown spots (hyperpigmentation), flushing, sun and age spots, or dilated capillaries. A member of Dr. Tricia Shimer's professional team will assess your skin to see if you are a candidate for a photofacial during your private consultation.

IPL is performed by one of our experienced aestheticians in a private treatment room at our Dallas, TX office. It takes about 20 – 30 minutes if performed as the sole treatment. To prepare for the Lumecca IPL treatment, your technician will clean and dry the skin to be treated before covering your eyes with shields. The IPL photofacial is performed using a handheld device that passes over the skin while emitting pulses of laser energy. While most patients will have mild discomfort throughout the photofacial, it is usually tolerable for the fast treatment length.

There is no recovery period needed with a Lumecca IPL photofacial treatment, but you will leave our office with your skin a little swollen and pink. This will subside naturally in about a day — it may be masked with makeup if you prefer. Dr. Shimer advises patients to apply a cream on the skin to minimize any irritation and promote healing. It may also help to use anti-inflammatory medication to help ease swelling. Over the next 2 – 5 days, the irregularities that rested under the skin will rise to the surface and then start to flake away. It's critical to keep your skin protected from the sun at all times after an IPL photofacial treatment and to not pick at your skin while it heals. 

How much does IPL cost?
Your complexion issues are unique, which means the cost of IPL treatments will depend on your concerns. Evolve Med Spa offers specials on treatments, like IPL, and we accept most payment methods. During your initial visit, we can help estimate your cost and determine the number of treatments needed to fit your needs and goals.

How quick are the results from IPL?
Some results can be seen after each IPL treatment, but the best results are visible about one month after all of your treatments are done. It is normal to get varying results after each treatment session. You will see fading of blotchiness, redness, sun spots, and age spots over time.

What are the possible side effects of IPL?
You may experience mild, temporary side effects, like redness, swelling, bruising, blisters, or crusting. These fade within a day or two after the procedure. You will be extra sensitive to the sun, and sun exposure can impact the results of the procedure. You should also wear sunscreen to protect your skin and avoid damage, like redness and spots.

Do I need to prep for IPL?
Patients about to undergo an IPL treatment are usually asked to avoid sun exposure and self-tanners for 2 – 4 weeks before their treatment. You may be asked to discontinue the use of certain medications a few days before your procedure, and may be asked to take ibuprofen or aspirin for a week before your appointment to decrease your risk of bruising. You should also use sunscreen since your skin will be extra sensitive.

Why should I get multiple IPL sessions?
We recommend getting a series of IPL treatments to deliver gradual improvements to the appearance of your skin. Every session helps to fade spots and other surface irregularities. A series of treatments also produce longer-lasting improvements.

You probably didn't worry much about your skin's health when you had clear skin, but now that environmental damage, such as spots and other issues, are appearing, you now may be interested in procedures that treat your skin concerns. We encourage you to find out more about IPL photofacial treatments by contacting Evolve Med Spa and scheduling a skin examination with Dr. Shimer. With IPL photofacial treatments at our Dallas, TX office, we can go deep within the layers of your skin to help restore a radiant glow and a smooth complexion.