Did you know that certain wavelengths of light are beneficial for the skin? For example, red light-emitting diode (LED) has been shown to speed up healing and stimulate collagen production.
However, the benefits of light exposure don’t end there. NASA uses red light therapy to prevent muscle loss and encourage wound healing in space. In the past, medical experts have used light to boost the immune systems of patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Now, you can improve your complexion with light. Photofacials are treatments involving the use of devices that emit light at varying wavelengths.
Dr. Safoora Zaka, our expert at Medical Aesthetics & Laser, uses two types of photofacials for skin imperfections: LED treatments and intense-pulsed light (IPL™) treatments. Read on to learn about the differences between the two types of photofacials.
LED photofacials can be used to deliver either red or blue light to boost collagen in the skin and destroy the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts.
Red and blue light is found naturally in sun rays. However, unlike the sun, LED photofacial devices don’t emit ultraviolet radiation, which is the type of radiation responsible for skin aging.
LED treatments are gentle on the skin and work best for mild skin issues, such as early signs of aging and mild cases of acne. However, LED photofacials aren’t recommended to patients who are undergoing Accutane treatments or suffering from skin infections.
IPL treatments penetrate deeper into the skin and can reduce the appearance of brown spots, spider veins, rosacea, and deeper wrinkles. Because the light penetrates deeper into the skin, your skin will redden and exfoliate within a few days after the treatment.
If you see your dark spots getting darker after the treatment, don’t worry. This means the surface of the skin is exfoliated and the older skin layers will peel off, revealing a fresher complexion.
IPL treatments are not recommended to patients who are taking Accutane or suffering from skin rashes or infections. After the treatment, you may want to temporarily stop using acids (e.g., glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid) on your skin and avoid going outside without applying sunscreen.
Dr. Zaka recommends photofacials to patients with sensitive skin who are looking for a way to improve their appearance with minimum downtime. If you’re interested in finding out if a photofacial could help you achieve your cosmetic goals, contact us to schedule an appointment.
