How Does Photorejuvenation Work?
By Neel Kanase | Published on October 8, 2010 | 0 Comments
Photorejuvenation offers a chance to eliminate the telltale signs of sun damage without the discomfort and downtime associated with chemical peels. How does photorejuvenation work? According to Neel Kanase, MD of Lubbock Laser Clinic, a popular medical spa in Lubbock, TX, photorejuvenation uses light to correct skin discolorations and uneven skin tone. It’s particularly appealing, he says, to patients looking for non-invasive treatment with zero downtime.
What Is It?
Photorejuvenation, Dr. Kanase says, is referred to in several ways. “Skin rejuvenation, photofacial, IPL – these are just different words for the same process,” he explains. Photorejuvenation is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure designed to improve the appearance of the skin by lightening dark spots and freckles, curbing redness and correcting other types of discoloration.
How It Works
Photorejuvenation works on the same principal as laser hair removal, says Dr. Kanase. To remove hair, a special light is used to selectively target and destroy the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. In photorejuvenation, rather than targeting hair follicles, the light targets discolored skin (such as age spots and sun spots). It can also be used, Dr. Kanase says, to target broken capillaries around the nose or elsewhere on the face, or even redness from rosacea.
These types of skin lesions, Dr. Kanase explains, usually involve several layers of skin. “Often what you see,” he says, “is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you get rid of one lesion, there can actually be several more underneath, just waiting to appear.” For this reason, he says, multiple sessions are usually needed to achieve the desired results. “We usually recommend five sessions,” he says, “spread about a month apart for optimal results. Thirty days is about how long it takes for the top layer of the skin to ‘turn over’ and the new, younger cells to emerge.”
The Results
After each session, says Dr. Kanase, you will notice an improvement in the appearance of your skin. After all five treatments have been completed, however, you should see a marked improvement over the way your skin looked when you began the sessions.
Sometimes, he says, patients become concerned midway through their treatments because they begin seeing what seem to be new lesions. “Patients often think that the new spots are actually being caused by the photorejuvenation process,” he says, “when in reality the procedure is simply revealing lesions that are already present beneath the surface of the skin.”
What about Downtime?
According to Dr. Kanase, unlike many other cosmetic procedures designed to improve uneven skin tone, photorejuvenation involves absolutely no downtime. “One of the reasons this procedure is so popular,” he says, “is that it can be done over a lunch hour. You can return directly to your office or normal activities after the procedure is performed.”
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.