Rosacea treatment

Facial erythemas may be removed quickly by the new medical IPL-treatment. A filtered, broad spectrum of light is applied that is transmitted through a hand piece to the skin. The light and heat energy are absorbed by the oxyhaemoglobin in vascular walls. The heat energy blocks the vessels. The damaged vascular tissue is removed by the body and is replaced by newly developed collagen. A clean skin, free of redness and rosacea is the result of the IPL-treatment (the treatment has an anti-wrinkle effect, too). The visible result takes about 4-6 weeks to develop. Sometimes the optimal result is achieved by a single treatment but in most of the cases more (2-3) treatments are required. 2-4 treatments are required in cases of diffuse facial erythemas. Rosaceas, age spots, spider angiomas, dilated capillaries, haemangiomas and telangiectasias can be all treated successfully with IPL-treatment. The method is safe and effective. The skin will get even color and an enhanced tone following the treatment.

Before IPL-treatment

A medical consultation is needed to discuss the area of treatment and the expected results. It is followed by a test treatment to determine the effective dose required for the patient.

A sun exposure of the treated area is undesirable 2 weeks prior to treatment. The use of a solarium or a self tan product is not recommended either. If you use any glycolic acid face wash product, please discontinue it 1 week prior to IPL-treatment. You have to stop taking Roaccutane, Sotret, Aknenormin, or any other similar product at least 6 months prior to the treatment.

Treatment

The treated area is cleaned. The patient should wear eye protection against the strong light that may damage the eye.

The skin is covered with ultrasound gel. Sensitive patients may need local anesthetics before treatment.

The predetermined most effective dose is used. The IPL hand piece is put on the skin covered with gel. The skin is treated with the intense light without damaging the surrounding tissues. If the treatment is performed without the use of anesthetics a light pinch sensation is typical on the skin. The skin is warm and a bit red for one hour following the IPL-treatment.

The gel is removed from the treated area and cooled using ice gel packs after the treatment. A cooling pack may also be applied if necessary.

Time of an IPL-treatment

Full face 1 hour
Chest 1 hour
Neck: 15 minutes

Treatments can be repeated in every 4 weeks if necessary.

Possible side effects of IPL-treatment

A slight redness may be observed for a couple of hours following the treatment. The vessels may look temporarily darker and the face may be a bit swollen following the treatment. The collagen development takes weeks so the vessels may even regenerate weeks after the treatment. So it takes more time to evaluate the final result.

The areas of increased pigmentation first may look darker after the IPL-treatment. These pigments were in the skin layer that was brought to surface during the treatment, but it will disappear in a couple of days. The skin may look patchy for a couple of hours after the treatment but it can be covered with makeup.

Sometimes, especially in cases of naturally darker skin, light or darker patches may be observed on the treated skin and it takes months for them to disappear.

The result of IPL-treatment

The collagen-development is a relatively slow process, so the final result can be evaluated in 3 months after the last treatment. Sometimes the final result is seen much sooner.Taking care of the treated skin

An ice –pack should be put on the treated skin at home to treat redness and burning sensation after IPL-treatment. The treatment should be continued using the cream recommended by your physician. You should use a sun protection product recommended by your physician between the treatments.

What is not allowed during IPL-treatment?

The treated skin…
shouldn’t be scratched
shouldn’t be put in a hot bath in 24 hours after the treatment
shouldn’t be coated with perfume, oil, deodorant or any other cream not recommended by your physician in 48 hours after the treatment
swimming is not allowed in pools treated by chlorine in 24 hours after the treatment
extreme physical activities are not allowed in 24 hours after the treatment (sweating may irritate the treated skin)
should be covered in solarium for a couple of months

You will get the best result after the IPL-treatment if you don’t sunbathe at all.