As you read about photofacial treatments, you’ll learn:
- How photofacials can help various skin issues
- How photofacials help various types of skin
- Who benefits from photofacials
Laying out in the summer sun is a great way to give your face beautiful, glowing color, and it can also help improve acne for an improved complexion. However, the harsh rays of the summer sun can also cause skin damage with visible signs of aging, uneven complexions, and skin spots. The best time to rejuvenate your skin is in the winter when the sun is gentler and causes less damage. A photofacial treatment is a quick, non-invasive procedure that uses waves of intense pulsed light to stimulate collagen production and restore the skin’s natural, youthful glow. Getting regular photofacial treatments throughout the winter is a great way to revitalize sun-damaged skin and make sure it is ready for summer.
Which Skin Types Do Photofacials Benefit?
Photofacial treatments work well on a variety of skin types, from oily to dry, to combination. However, the treatments are best suited for people with lighter skin tones. People with skin types categorized as Fitzpatrick Skin Type I, II, or III are more susceptible to sun damage. The sun’s UV rays are most harmful to people with light or fair skin, so because photofacials are intended to repair sun damage and revitalize skin, they are most beneficial for people with lighter skin colors, regardless of which skin type they have.
What Are the Benefits of Photofacials?
The most apparent benefit of photofacials is the way they repair skin. Instead of removing damaged skin, the light used in a photofacial treatment gently stimulates collagen production, so your skin heals itself and regains its healthy, youthful glow.
Photofacials are non-invasive, so there is minimal risk associated with getting the procedure done. The most considerable risk comes from the light used during the treatment, but you will be required to wear protective eyewear, so you don’t have to worry about the intense pulsed light affecting your vision. Photofacial treatments are safe for everyone, so they are an ideal choice if your skin needs to be repaired after sun damage.
An additional benefit of photofacial treatment is that they are quick. The entire procedure typically takes 30 minutes or less, so you can fit treatment into any busy schedule. There is also no downtime, so you can even fit a treatment into your lunch break and return to work immediately. You should feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure, and you are free to resume your normal activities immediately after receiving the treatment. There is no prep time, either, so you don’t have to take any special measures on the days leading up to the procedure.
Which Skin Problems Do Photofacials Help?
Photofacial treatments can help fix a wide variety of skin problems that are caused by sun damage. If you have any of the following issues with your skin, a photofacial could be the perfect treatment option for you.
- Fine lines and wrinkles: These visible signs of aging typically appear around the eyes first, although they can also be noticeable around the mouth and nose. They tend to spread and become more pronounced as you age.
- Rosacea and redness: Rosacea is a condition that causes the tiny blood vessels in your skin to become visible, which can leave you with a red face and unsightly little bumps. While this condition is harmless, it can last a while when it flares up and is difficult to hide.
- Age spots: Also called sunspots, age spots are harmless but often look unsightly. These small, flat spots on your skin are caused by an overproduction of pigmentation in your body and can occur to any area exposed to sunlight. Photofacial treatments can even out the pigmentation in your face to reduce the appearance of age spots.
- Enlarged pores: When your skin releases too much sebum, it becomes oily and may have a shiny, unnatural finish. Shrinking your pores can reduce the amount of oil the sebaceous gland secretes.
- Hyperpigmentation/Hypopigmentation: If your body produces too much or too little melatonin, it often results in light or dark spots on the face. Frequent exposure to the summer sun can make the problem worse.
- Acne scarring: Picking at acne and failing to clean your face properly can result in acne scarring. The sun’s rays can make this condition worse, but photofacial treatments can lighten the appearance of scars and help the skin work to heal itself.
- Diluted blood vessels: Various conditions can cause the blood vessels under your skin to expand so they are more visible and cause your face to look red. Unlike rosacea, which tends to focus on specific areas of the face, dilated blood vessels can affect the appearance of your entire face.
Sun damage plays a significant role in all of these conditions. If you want to avoid them, it is best to take precautions in the summer sun, so you keep your tender skin from becoming damaged. However, if you are already dealing with one or more of these skin types, a photofacial treatment could be the ideal solution to even out your complexion and restore your skin’s healthy, youthful glow.
How Often Should You Get Photofacial Treatments?
A single photofacial is not enough to repair an entire summer’s worth of skin damage. You will likely need several treatments spread throughout a few weeks to get the results you want. The frequency with which you should get photofacials varies widely depending upon which type of skin problem you have and how severe it is. On average, you can expect to need three to five individual treatments to achieve your desired results. It is important to remember that photofacials are a treatment rather than a cure, so you will need additional treatments every year or two to maintain your results.
When Should You Get a Photofacial?
Photofacials are not preventative treatments, so you do not need one unless you are trying to repair sun damage to your tender facial skin. In the summer, the sun’s UV rays are harsher and more potent, which is when the damage typically occurs. It is not recommended to get photofacials during the summer because your skin may get damaged between your treatment, making the initial problem worse rather than fixing it. The best time to get photofacial treatments done is in the winter when the sun’s rays are gentler on your skin and will give it time to heal in between treatments.
Contact Dr. Vanderloos Today
If you have sun-damaged skin, photofacial treatments are wonderful for improving the health of your skin and leaving you with a smooth, even complexion. Dr. Catherine Vanderloos is proud to include photofacial treatments in her vast repertoire of non-invasive techniques for helping people in Shreveport, Louisiana, optimize their skin health. Located on Ashley Ridge Boulevard just off of the Inner Loop Expressway, our practice is in an easy and convenient spot to provide Shreveport residents with photofacial treatments. If you think you are a good candidate for this procedure and want more information, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach out by calling (318) 865-4333.
Featured Image: Puhhha/Shutterstock
