Los Angeles IPL and Yag Laser
IPL YAG LASER is the most refined skin tightening, facial contouring and collagen stimulating treatment that we recommend for those who cannot afford the down time yet looking for progressive correction of sun damaged and sagging skin.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPLtm)
- Consultation: 30 minutes
- Procedure: 45 minutes per session per area
- Recovery: 1-2 days
- Duration of Results: months to years
An all-time favorite among lunchtime photo-facials
IPLs (also called Flashlamp) use filtered, non-coherent light to selectively destroy melanin-laden cells, blood-filled capillaries and hair roots in a process called Selective Photothermolysis. Selective Photothermolysis brought about the development of a whole new field we now call “photo-rejuvenation”.
Beyond Photothermolysis
With a vast body of knowledge on IPL, it has become an indispensable tool in any aesthetic practice. Moving beyond just Photothermolysis, the future for IPLs is in selective killing of diseased (various pre-cancerous lesions), aged (actinic keratosis) or infected cells (acne vulgaris) in photodynamic therapy when used with 5 ALA. Suddenly, the flashlamp had a rebirth, even low powered ones, in treating acne, acne scars, pre-cancerous skin lesions and even Rosacea.
IPL and Yag Laser Technology
Flashlamp devices work on the principles of selective Photothermolysis. That is, causing thermal damage to target chromophores by using light of appropriate wavelength in pulses that exceeds the chromophores’ thermal relaxation time,while sparing normal skin by limiting the pulse width below the thermal relaxation time for skin. A fine line really, if you think about it, between the treatment having no effect and setting the power too high and causing burn injuries. However, the technology has come a long way from its early days… we can now achieve clear skin in just one or at most two treatments. The trick is to produce a very uniform power throughout the pulse width.
Clear Skin Pigmentations with a Single Treatment
We selected a system that delivers a very uniform pulse profile, which can clear telangiectasia and pigmentations in just ONE treatment. At most only a second treatment is needed because we tend to be more cautious on first treatments. By the second treatment, the energy parameters should be just right to blast off all the target chromophores. Our patients then go on to maintenance treatment once every 4-6 months.
Our IPL Machine Can:
- Lighten skin hyperpigmentation (freckles, solar keratosis, lentigenes etc)
- Blast off fine capillaries and hairs
- Rejuvenate skin and increase collagen production
- Hasten recovery of active acne when treated with Differin
Wrinkle Treatment
At our clinic, we use IPL and Nd Yag Laser purely for wrinkle or acne scars where collagen synthesis is paramount.
Hair and Veins Removal
At our clinic, we do use IPL and Nd Yag laser for Hair Reduction or Vein (Spider Veins or Broken Capillary) destruction..
What to Expect
Up to 70% of objective (measurable) lightening of pigmentation was shown in a recent study. However, one can expect a slight darkening of freckles, age spots, liver spots etc, and slight ecchymosis “dirty skin discoloration” over burst fine capillaries immediately after each treatment.
These would then fade after 1-2 weeks to reveal a much clearer complexion. During the usual follow-up visit at 7-10 days, many patients are stunned at how much clearer their skin become. We follow-up all of our IPL treatments at 1 week for microdermabrasion to remove any “crusts” left behind.
Maintaining the clear skin involves vigilantly applying sun block and regularly using good pigment lightening creams.
Pigmentary Conditions in Asian Skin Melasma
Asian women around 40 years of age will have several kinds of pigmentation on the face. Flashlamp (IPL) effectively lightens age-spots and sun-induced pigment spots but not Melasma. This is hard to remove, as they are deep. Against a clearer background, the Melasma stands out more prominently. This can be rather upsetting!
Fortunately, our Red Carpet Peel and cosmoceutical skin line are very effective in suppressing Melasma from showing up too soon.
Book a free consultation to find out why Dr. Assassa is the expert source for your cosmetic surgery needs.