Photofacial Aftercare

A IPL photofacial treatment is a great way to rid yourself of hyperpigmentation. IPL stands for “intense pulsed light” and works wonders on dark spots that may be plaguing your skin.

Photofacials offer a non-invasive option for getting rid of dark spots or pigment irregularities. The IPL penetrates deep into your skin, constricting blood vessels and collagen, reducing redness and age lines.

What to expect

The reason patients love IPL photofacials so much is that there is little downtime after the treatment. Right after the photofacial you can expect some redness and slight swelling that will only last for about a day.

One thing to note is that the spots you are trying to get rid of may appear even darker immediately following the treatment. This is completely normal and nothing to be alarmed about. On the contrary, it actually means that the treatment is working.

What you should do

There are a few things that you should keep in mind for your aftercare routine. Even though this treatment is non invasive and has very minimal aftercare, it’s important that you do these steps for the best possible result.

1. Moisturize

You’re going to want to keep your skin moisturized at all times. The best option is a gentle moisturizer — and it’s important to apply immediately after the treatment. This will not only keep your skin healthy, but comfortable following the photofacial.

2. Cleansers are your friend

A gentle cleanser will feel incredible following the treatment. Use with warm water once or twice a day.

3. UV protection

It’s always important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. But following your photofacial, this is probably the most important step. Apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF that works against UVA and UVB rays.

Avoiding unprotected sun exposure all together for about a month is a good idea. Your skin will be sensitive and needs to be protected following the treatment.

4. Follow up treatments

Many anti-aging or hyperpigmentation treatments work best when done in tandem with complimentary treatments. A few weeks after your photofacial, you’re going to want the dead skin cells removed to further reveal your healthy skin. Microdermabrasion is your best bet.