IPL PHOTOFACIAL
Lucky for men, their daily routine is quick and painless compared to the endless hours women spend preparing, cleaning, plucking, prodding and preening both morning and night. We may think it is silly and excessive - but there is something to be said for all those preventative measures women go through. Many men find themselves surprised to wake up one day and notice years and years of environmental damage popping up in unexpected ways on their face.
The most common of these include broken capillaries around the nose and cheek area, fine lines and wrinkles along the sides of the eyes and forehead, and sun spots throughout the facial area. If you notice a sudden flushing or redness to your skin tone, or large brown spots or areas of many little spots - there is a solution we offer to remove these unwelcome signs of aging and sun damage.
The most effective and widely trusted method to remove redness and pigmentation from the skin is called a 'photofacial', or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment. At Cosmedic Skincare of Seattle, we use the highly effective Syneron Elos IPL system to perform our photofacials. More and more men are taking their skin health into consideration and are choosing to improve the signs of aging with our help- without the nagging of loved ones. A healthy complexion not only improves self esteem and confidence, but studies have shown that people who maintain a good outward appearance do better and go farther in their careers and social lives than those who do not.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can be treated with this laser?
The Elos (electro-optical synergy) is safe for use on skin types I-IV, or from very white to hispanic or light Indian skin tones. On skin tones darker than this - we have other non-laser treatments available that are safe for treating darker skin tones.
How does the Elos remove brown spots?
Elos (electro-optical synergy) uses a unique combination of radio frequency and broadband light waves to isolate the pigmentation within the treatment area and leave the surrounding skin free from potentially harmful side effects. Using gentle pulses of two targeted energies means better results with lower overall energy output — assuring the highest level of safety and comfort. The laser is attracted to the dark pigmentation of brown discoloration on the skin - and draws it towards the surface of the skin -- and eventually out altogether.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatment each patient may need depends on a number of factors including their skin type, the type of pigmentation, the depth of pigmentation and how quickly a patients skin recovers after a treatment. A good analogy for this treatment is this: imagine a fresh whole onion. The outer layers are brown and crispy. As you peel back the layers one by one - you eventually reach the pure, even toned flesh of the onion. The IPL treatment is much like this. We will be peeling back (actually pulling up and out to be exact) layers of pigmentation until there is no trace of the discoloration left. Sometimes this takes two or three treatments and sometimes it can take up to five or six treatments on really deep pigmentation.
Does it hurt?
Individual experience varies, but most people only feel a slight sensation like tiny pin pricks, or rubber band snaps. For your added safety and peace of mind, elos technology features an advanced patient comfort system, which monitors your skin and keeps it at a soothing cool temperature during the procedure. We also offer topical numbing agents for your comfort.
When can I expect after the treatment?
After a treatment with the Elos for pigmentation - the brown spots will become darker, sometimes taking on the look of 'coffee grounds'. This goes away after a few days, and as it does the pigmentation begins to fade. Depending on how deep the pigmentation is - you may need a number of treatments until all of the pigmentation is gone.
Treatment with elos is easy. There’s no surgery, no sedation, and no downtime. And most procedures take 30 minutes or less.
So then how does the Elos laser treat diffuse redness and broken capillaries?
Facial redness and broken capillaries, like the ones most men see around the edges/bridge of their nose are caused by tiny little blood vessels reaching the surface of the skin. The body does this in response to extreme heat or sun exposure, or even pressure from glasses or from sneezing due to allergies. The Elos heats up these little vessels and literally collapses them. They are not vital to the functioning and health of the body - so you are not doing any harm by removing them.
Does it hurt?
Like the treatment for pigmentation with the Elos, individual experience varies. Most people only feel a slight sensation like tiny pin pricks, or rubber band snaps. For your added safety and peace of mind, elos technology features an advanced patient comfort system, which monitors your skin and keeps it at a soothing cool temperature during the procedure. We also offer topical numbing agents for your comfort.
When can I expect after the treatment for redness/broken capillaries?
After a treatment with the Elos laser for facial redness and broken capillaries, most patients simply experience a temporary (a few hours at most) pink flushing of the area. For extremely large vessels, mild swelling can occur and/or the vessels can look like a thin 'cat scratch' for a day or two. All of these effects are temporary and can easily be covered up with tinted sunscreen if an event requires it. Sometimes repeat treatments are needed - as some vessels can be stubborn. Sometimes vessels can return a few months later - and you may require a touch-up. Depending on circumstances, a touch-up may be complimentary or done for a very minimal fee.
Treatment with elos is easy at Seattle's Cosmedic Skincare. There's no surgery, no sedation, and no downtime. And most procedures take 30 minutes or less.
