PHOTOFACIAL TREATMENTS WITH THE ICON LASER

DR. CATHERINE VANDERLOOS – SHREVEPORT, LA

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Do you want better skin but do not want to undergo surgery or uncomfortable dermabrasion treatments? A photofacial may be the answer. Our laser skin rejuvenation treatment uses pulses of intense laser light to improve skin imperfections. Many clients choose this procedure for their face, but it can also be used on other skin areas such as the chest, neck, arms, hands, and legs.

There are number benefits of photofacial treatments, and they can reverse the signs of aging in both women and men. If you have skin issues, see if a photofacial is the right procedure for your needs.

WHAT IS A PHOTOFACIAL?

A Photofacial is a non-invasive Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) in the form of a laser. This IPL laser targets acute areas of the skin as it treats common skin pigmentation challenges, such as brown spots, sun damage, and Rosacea. The process reveals younger, healthier-looking skin. While the process is called an IPL Photofacial, it is not exclusively for the face. It can also be used almost anywhere on the skin, including the neck, chest, shoulders, arms, and legs.

HOW DO PHOTOFACIALS WORK?

The IPL light penetrates the epidermis and targets the pigment-producing cells responsible for the over-production of pigment. The process diminishes wrinkles, fades acne scars, surgical scars, and stretch marks, reduces or eliminates the over-production of pigment, and promotes the production of collagen. The result is more plump, youthful, healthy skin that leaves clients refreshed. The process is also fast, non-invasive, and produces no-to-minimal discomfort, which allows you to jump right back into life to tackle the rest of your to-do list without having to worry about downtime for recovery.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR PHOTOFACIAL TREATMENT?

Before treatment, you should take some precautions to ensure you get the most effective and safe results possible. The following guidelines explain what to do prior to and the day of treatment.

SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO TREATMENT

  • Accutane treatments must have been discontinued for a minimum of six months prior to an IPL photofacial.

TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO TREATMENT

  • Discontinue any exposure to direct sun, tanning beds, or spray tans.
  • Discontinue the use of any photosynthesizing drugs that can cause increased skin sensitivity to sunlight. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications such as antibiotics, Tetracycline, Retin A, or St. John’s Wort.

24 HOURS PRIOR TO TREATMENT

  • Avoid the use of harsh cosmetics or those that include photosynthesizers such as Retinols or Tretinoin.

THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE

  • Use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30 on the day of any treatment, whether sunny or cloudy.
  • Take medication for any of the following inflammatory skin conditions before your treatment:
    • Eczema
    • Active Herpes Simplex
    • Allergic Reactions

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DOES PHOTOFACIAL IT TAKE?

The number of treatments depends on the severity of the issues for which you are seeking treatment and your personal satisfaction with the results. While some people are happy with their results after just one treatment, most people opt for a series of three to five sessions. The results take time to see, so you should schedule follow-up appointments for at least two weeks out to allow time to see the full results of the previous treatment.

IS THE PROCESS PAINFUL?

Most patients do not describe the process as painful. On the more intense end of the scale, patients liken the pulses to that of the snap of a rubber band. Others are not bothered at all. A topical anesthetic can be used if needed.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PHOTOFACIAL TREATMENT?

The most common side effects are redness and a slight sting like that of a sunburn, which normally subsides within 30 minutes. The treated area will darken over the next couple hours and may resemble dark specks. These will slough off over the next two weeks. In the meantime, it should be safe to wear makeup and continue with your normal skincare routine.

HOW THE ICON LASER WORKS FOR PHOTOFACIALS

Photofacials are performed with the Icon laser which restores the skin, removes pigmentation/dark spots and resolves acne and vein therapy.

1. SKIN RESTORATION:

The ICON laser distributes microscopic columns of energy that stimulate the production of collagen. Icon (1540) treatments are highly effective on facial wrinkles and skin tightening because of the collagen stimulation. The energy also targets pigment to break up cosmetically undesirable brown spots and pigmentation. Wrinkle depth and severity are minimized and tone and texture improved. Treatment plans can be adjusted to fit everyone’s lifestyle.

2. DARK SPOTS/PIGMENTATION ISSUES:

The ICON uses optimized light pulses to reverse some of the effects of sun damage and premature skin aging. The light pulses activate the immune system and encourage the body’s natural processes to fade unwanted dark spots and pigmentation. Icon photo facial treatments are safe for most skin types and can be used to repair skin flaws on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs

3. ACNE TREATMENT:

ICON laser treatment generates healthy skin by promoting collagen production and stimulating the immune system response so that acne disappears and stretchmark, acne, and surgical scars fade, revealing healthier skin. Active adult acne and acne scars are both treatable with this non-invasive approach, which will leave you feeling more confident about your skin and fresh outlook to go along with your fresh face.

4. VEIN TREATMENT:

The ICON can treat spider and reticular veins effectively and without damage to the surrounding tissue. Laser light targets and constricts the blood vessels in the legs that cause spider veins, making them less visible at the skin surface. A non-invasive laser leg vein treatment session takes less than 30 minutes.

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CANDIDATES FOR PHOTOFACIAL

Nearly anyone can benefit from this treatment due to the non-invasive procedure, the fact that there is no recovery time, which allows you to get back to life immediately after receiving treatment, and because it’s effective on so many different types of skin issues. Young and old alike can benefit from the process and see results in as little as one treatment. Common reasons clients pursue ICON laser treatment include:

  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Age spots
  • Liver spots
  • Freckles
  • Flushed faces
  • Enlarged pores
  • Broken capillaries
  • Loose skin

The great thing is the procedure is safe for almost all skin types. It is also gentle, so there is no downtime after your appointment. Get back to your normal schedule immediately!

IS THERE ANYONE WHO SHOULDN’T GET THE TREATMENT?

  • Those with pacemakers or defibrillators
  • Those with skin conditions such as vitiligo or skin cancer
  • Those with epilepsy/seizures
  • Those who are pregnant
  • Those with impaired immune systems
  • Those with darker skin tones
  • Those with active sunburns

IPL PHOTOFACIAL BENEFITS

Collagen is a protein that provides the structure within the body’s connective tissue and particularly in the skin. It is responsible for skin elasticity and the plump skin sans wrinkles that represents youth. As skin ages, it loses 20-80% of its thickness as a result of the cell’s inability to produce sufficient collagen. This is why lips become thinner, along with more wrinkles and saggier skin.

With the ICON laser treatment, cells respond with an increase in collagen production, which produces a natural result without invasive treatments or injections that prohibit the movement of facial muscles. It also mitigates the risk of being over-treated since cells don’t naturally overproduce collagen.

PHOTOFACIAL ICON RESULTS

Before & After the ICON Laser

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VISIT CATHERINE VANDERLOOS, MD

Address
460 Ashley Ridge Blvd | Suite 200
Shreveport, LA 71106

Phone: 318-865-4333

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH US TODAY!