How to tackle hyperpigmentation- IPL photo facial

Hyperpigmentation occurs because of excess production of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives the skin its color and is produced by the skin cells called melanocytes. Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin color of people of any race with:

• Excess sun exposure

• Certain chemotherapy drugs

• Pregnancy

• Certain medical conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• Allergies

• Chemical or physical injury

• Inflammatory diseases

• Tobacco smoking

• And more

If hyperpigmentation is so easy to acquire, what can you do about reversing it? In our first two blogs within our hyperpigmentation series we cover the effectiveness of peels and skincare. Today we will be talking about the effectiveness of IPL.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, also known as photo-rejuvenation. The treatment is popularly known as a photo-facial. It’s great for erasing mild sun damage, freckles, and getting rid of – or greatly reducing – irregular pigmentation and light brown spots on the face, neck and chest.

Unlike a laser, the device used in this treatment emits a broad range of light frequencies. The combo of wavelengths is chosen based on our evaluation of your hyper-pigmented areas during your consultation or appointment. The device contains a series of filters that reflect back unwanted frequencies in the light spectrum. The remaining wavelengths are pulsed out in a series of rapid flashes. The energy penetrates right through the epidermal layer and gets absorbed by the pigmented components of the darker cells that make up the freckle, age spot, or scar.

After a few pulses, your cells will absorb a great amount of energy, and that energy changes form to heat energy. Both the pigmented cells that make up age spots and the capillaries in these tissues are affected. The capillaries eventually shrink, and the smallest of them may even close off entirely. The damaged cells are soon replaced by healthier growth.

The brown spots will fade over several treatments. Most patients will require 4 to 6, but everyone is different. After that you may need a few maintenance treatments to keep your skin looking young and healthy.

When treating hyperpigmentation or melasma with IPL, you may see an immediate darkening of the surrounding skin. This is common and nothing to worry about! The temporary darkening occurs if there is brown pigment in the upper layers of your skin. The darkened area typically begins to fade in 7 to 14 days. This is when you’ll also begin to notice that many superficial brown spots around the treated area become lighter, and less noticeable. They won’t vanish with one IPL treatment, but in almost all cases you will see progress. Fading of hyperpigmentation depends on the skin area and the type of spots being treated.

Pigmentation is caused by many things but it is reversible with the right skincare, a peel, and IPL. Our founder Erin Gordon, MD can help you select the best peel and skincare routine for you! Watch out for the next blog in this series and contact us through our website today to begin your journey to healthier skin.