IPL PhotoFacial

People who want to address multiple concerns, such as age spots, redness, and rough, uneven texture, often consider laser skin treatment. At many medical spas in Roseville, Grass Valley, and Nevada City, however, that would require scheduling multiple treatment sessions using different technologies. A Lumenis® Photofractional procedure at Vibrance Medical Spa combines intense pulsed light (IPL) with ResurFX™ non-ablative skin resurfacing to help our Auburn clients treat both skin tone and texture during the same session.

What Is a Photofractional Laser Treatment?

Combining the power of IPL technology with the non-ablative, fractional ResurFX laser produces a comprehensive laser skin rejuvenation solution for patients of all ages. Both IPL and ResurFX are effective on their own, but the combination can address diverse skin concerns with minimal downtime.

Among the concerns treated during a Photofractional procedure are:

• Sunspots
• Broken capillaries
• Acne scarring
• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Stretch marks
• Uneven skin texture

At Vibrance, our aesthetic nurse specialists can treat the face, neck, chest, arms, legs, hands, and even the abdomen.

How Does Photofractional Work?

The IPL and fractional laser technologies combined during a Photofractional treatment work in unique ways to rejuvenate the skin.

IPL technology is often put in the category of laser treatments, but it is different. Rather than using a single, targeted wavelength, IPL delivers a broad spectrum of light wavelengths that are scattered and less focused. Pigment and superficial blood vessels in the skin attract these wavelengths, which is why IPL effectively treats sun damage, spider veins, age spots, and other complexion issues.

The fractionated laser beam delivered by the ResurFX device penetrates a grid-like area of the skin, leaving much of the skin undamaged—unlike ablative lasers that remove the entire top layer of skin. The thermal injuries created by the ResurFX laser prompt the skin to repair itself, a process that includes the production of new collagen and elastin fibers below the skin’s surface. This helps improve the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and lines, and results in smoother, tighter skin.

What Happens During a Photofractional Treatment?

Your provider applies a topical numbing cream before starting the treatment to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Additionally, the device cools the skin at the same time the heat energy penetrates the skin. Once the skin is numb, the provider moves the device across the skin. Patients may feel a warm or prickling sensation as the laser is applied to the skin. Treatments last from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.

Swelling and redness are common after the treatment, and patients usually take a day off to recover. Once their skin is fully healed, some patients find that using medical-grade skincare products can support their newly refreshed skin.