Photofacial

Medical Aesthetics & Laser

Safoora Zaka, MD

Medical Aesthetics Specialist & Cosmetic Laser Specialist located in Walnut Creek, CA

Sun damage and rosacea often leave your skin with hard to remove spots. Safoora Zaka, MD at Medical Aesthetics & Laser in Walnut Creek, California offers effective photofacial treatments to get rid of these unwanted marks on your skin quickly, painlessly, and with little to no side effects. Get in touch with the office today by phone or online to book an appointment.

Photofacial

What is a photofacial?

A photofacial refers to a light-based skin treatment that penetrates the skin to treat sun and age spots as well as abnormal red blood vessels.

There are two main types of photofacials:

Light-emitting diode (LED) treatments

Dr. Zaka uses LED photofacials in two instances: if you have sensitive skin or if you only have a minor issue to correct.

LED photofacials use a narrow light spectrum to boost collagen production in your skin and plump up the affected area. They also kill off the bacteria responsible for acne outbreaks.

Intense-pulsed light (IPL™) treatments

As the name suggests, IPL photofacials are a more extensive type of photofacial that treat issues, such as:

  • Brown spots
  • Broken capillaries
  • Spider veins
  • Rosacea
  • Deep wrinkles and fine lines

IPL photofacial uses intense pulsed light to get deeper within the skin’s surface. Since this is a more intensive type of treatment, you’ll need a bit more downtime than with LED treatments.

What is rosacea?

Rosacea refers to a common skin condition that causes your blood vessels to become visibly red on your face. In most cases, rosacea produces small, pus-filled bumps on the surface of your skin.

While there’s no known cure for rosacea, photofacials can have a hugely positive effect on eliminating these red bumps and restoring smoothness and hydration to your skin.

What should I expect during a photofacial treatment?

During your photofacial at Medical Aesthetics & Laser, Dr. Zaka first starts by applying a gel to the treatment area that enhances light conductivity and gives you goggles to protect your eyes during the procedure.

She then places the light device on the treatment area and delivers precise pulses of light directly on the skin. The intensity of the pulse depends on the kind of photofacial you and Dr. Zaka have determined you need.

Generally speaking, photofacial treatments last around 20 minutes.

When should I expect to see results?

In most cases, you should see results quasi-immediately after the procedure is over. When the light pulses hit the inner layer of skin, the spots the treatment eliminates rise to the surface. After a few days, these now brown-colored spots will disappear.

Depending on the intensity of the issue at hand, Dr. Zaka might recommend multiple photofacial treatments for best results. Nonetheless, each treatment should be done at four-week intervals to allow time for your skin cells to heal.

If you’re looking for instant skin care gratification, book a photofacial appointment at Medical Aesthetics & Laser today by phone or online.