Photorejuvenation New York City

What is Photorejuvenation?

Using different laser technologies at Laser & Mohs Dermatology of New York, we can treat vascular redness, the appearance of rosacea, pigmented brown spots, sun damage, skin texture, and collagen structure all at once, with little or no downtime and with minimal discomfort through a process known as Photorejuvenation.

As most of us age normally, we begin to see visible signs of sun damage, time, and lifestyle choices appearing in our complexion, such as freckles, Rosacea, wrinkles, broken capillaries, dark spots, blotchy skin color, redness of the face and neck, enlarged pore size and uneven pigmentation, that can all be treated with this revolutionary procedure.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Photorejuvenation?

If you have signs of sun damage or aging, such as freckles, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines and superficial wrinkles, you may be an excellent candidate for photorejuvenation. This modality can also work very well for rosacea. Because photorejuvenation, a type of IPL treatment, utilizes light to target pigment and other facets of the skin, this cosmetic therapy may not be ideal for darker skin tones. You can trust that your board-certified dermatologist in our Manhattan practice will use strict parameters to ensure that you can safely undergo any treatment they may consider recommending for you. Please also feel free to bring all of your questions to your doctor during your consultation visit.

How Does Photorejuvenation Work?

Photorejuvenation is the same as IPL therapy. IPL stands for intense pulsed light. So, a photorejuvenation session works by penetrating multiple layers of the skin with wavelengths of high-energy light. In addition to reaching the layers of the skin in which pigment can accumulate, IPL Photorejuvenation also stimulates tissue remodeling through prolonged collagen production. After your treatment, the accumulated melanin rises to the surface and sloughs off while, at the same time, the cells in your dermis are more active in their production of collagen, which restores and firms the skin.

How Does Photorejuvenation Improve Rosacea?

If you have rosacea, your body works in a way that makes certain facial blood vessels become more noticeable. Your cheeks, in particular, may redden more easily or may look blotchy. Rosacea may also increase tissue sensitivity, making the skin feel tingly or hot, like a burning sensation. People with rosacea also often report that their skin is extraordinarily dry or that pustules form (this is why rosacea may be misdiagnosed as acne). Rosacea is most often a chronic, recurrent type of condition. Your skin may calm at some times and flare up at other times. In addition to noting what triggers flare-ups and avoiding those contributing factors, it’s advantageous to also find appropriate treatments. IPL Photorejuvenation is one.

The light energies that target the various layers of the skin during an IPL treatment do two things. They target the melanin that causes discoloration and they cause accumulations of melanocyte cells to dissolve, correcting the cosmetic effects of their clumping. The intense light waves also permeate the dermis. This is the layer of skin in which cells activate to produce collagen and elastin. The penetration of light alleviates the inflammation that can contribute to rosacea skin redness and pimple formation.

How Many Treatments Will it Take Before I See Results?

You can receive monthly IPL treatments for as long as it takes to achieve your desired outcome. That said, you can expect to begin noticing results weeks after your first treatment. We schedule appointments four weeks apart so the body has sufficient time to target and resolve the pigment or rough texture that has accumulated over time. Depending on the severity of your concerns, we may recommend that you schedule four to six treatments at one-month intervals.

How Long Does a Photorejuvenation Treatment Take?

Your photorejuvenation treatment may take between half an hour and an hour. We usually do not need more time than that to treat even larger areas. Your appointment may include time to sit with a numbing medication on your skin for 10 to 20 minutes, after which your active treatment time may seem to go by even quicker!

Is Photorejuvenation Painful?

Generally, IPL treatments are reportedly less uncomfortable than laser treatments for skin resurfacing. To support your ultimate comfort, your provider may schedule enough time in your appointment for you to sit with a topical numbing medication on your skin for 10 or more minutes. Because the procedure uses light to target certain aspects of the skin, you may feel a snapping or stinging sensation. This usually lasts momentarily. It is also usually described by patients as uncomfortable rather than painful. You’re fully alert during your treatment and can tell your provider if you’re experiencing more discomfort than you’d like! We’re here to support not only your best outcome but also your best experience.

Are There Any Side Effects to Photorejuvenation?

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is safe to use, however, because the photorejuvenation procedure does involve the infliction of controlled wounds to the skin, there may be a few side effects that come with the treatment. These can include redness, swelling, slight pain, burns, sensitivity to the sun, scarring, and infection. However, the team at Laser & Mohs is committed to clearly communicating with all of our patients the risks, benefits, and details that are involved with their treatment. By following our doctor’s instructions and recommendations, these side effects and complications can easily be managed and even avoided.

How Does Photorejuvenation Compare to Other Skin Treatment Procedures?

You may have heard of other skin correction procedures such as microdermabrasion, and while it is true they can also eliminate scarring and texture from the skin, the advanced precision of the lasers used in photorejuvenation allows controlled wounds to be inflicted without damaging the surrounding tissue of the skin. While this treatment is more controlled and less prone to scarring to the skin, it also produces more noticeable, longer-lasting results than microdermabrasion.

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Do you think Photorejuvenation sounds right for you? Contact Us today for more information, or Make an Appointment online for consultation.