A clear complexion may be a universal desire, but flaw-free skin can sometimes be elusive, even if your diet leaves nothing to chance and you’re diligent about skin care. Photorejuvenation, which uses advanced Intense Pulse Light (IPL) technology, can significantly reduce the appearance of some of the most common skin imperfections. At Kalia Dermatology and Laser Center in Los Gatos, California, our board-certified dermatologists use photorejuvenation technology to help patients from the San Francisco Bay area achieve better skin.

The Most Advanced IPL Technology

Our Cynosure Icon platform offers the most effective IPL/Photofacial treatment with the only FDA approved Skintel melanin reader to avoid the risks of hyperpigmenting the skin.  Our Laser Nurses have decades of experience with this treatment and provide exceptional results.

What is a Photofacial Treatment?

A photofacial treatment uses photorejuvenation, or IPL technology, to deliver a broad spectrum of light to your skin in gentle pulses. As the light reaches the deeper part of the dermis, it’s mostly absorbed by melanin, the pigments that give your skin and its flaws their color. Much like other state-of-the-art laser technologies, the light from photofacial treatments disrupts excess pigment and stimulates the growth of collagen to tighten and refresh underlying skin.

What conditions does it treat?

Photofacial treatments are an ideal way to correct or improve chronic redness, brown spots, and scarring without having to resort to surgery. In addition to diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, improving overall skin texture, and tightening your pores, a photofacial can help diminish the appearance of a wide variety of skin problems, including:

• Sun damage

• Melasma

• Freckles and age spots

• Rosacea or excessive flushing

• Hyperpigmentation

• Large, visible pores

• Wrinkles and texture issues

• Stretch marks

• Broken capillaries and spider veins

How does a Photofacial work?

Our pulsed light treatments improve the more visible signs of aging by decreasing redness, flushing and discoloration of the skin. Dramatic improvement in facial redness (rosacea), sun-induced brown spots, and facial telangiectasias (small facial veins) is achieved. The overall result of this photo-rejuvenating facial is a more youthful appearance in just two to four treatments. Immediately after the photofacial treatment, there is a slight darkening of the unwanted pigment. Within two to three minutes, there is mild redness around the individual brown spots, which gently peel off within the following days. Blood vessels diminish or clear in 10-14 days. Areas of diffuse flushing or redness gradually fade, leaving skin looking clearer and younger.

What is the Treatment Like?

Photofacial treatments are safe, quick, non-invasive, and yield long-lasting results. Although they can be performed anywhere on your body, the technology isn’t as effective on tanned or darker skin, and most patients need to undergo multiple treatments to see optimal results.

Kalia physicians perform photofacial treatments with the Cynosure Icon™ laser, which is the most advanced IPL technology available. The Icon laser has the only FDA-approved Skintel® melanin reader, designed to eliminate the possibility of causing hyperpigmentation in your skin during treatment.  

During the procedure, you’ll wear protective eyewear. The treatment itself may cause some mild discomfort. Most patients describe the sensation as similar to having a rubber-band snapped against your skin. If you have a low tolerance for discomfort, we can apply a topical anesthetic lotion prior to beginning.

Treatment time can be as short as 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Beautiful skin and a more youthful appearance can usually be achieved in two to four treatments. Because photofacial treatments have few side effects and don’t require down time, you can resume your normal activities immediately afterwards.  

How Soon Will I See Results?

Immediately after your photofacial treatment, you’ll notice a slight darkening of the unwanted pigmentation. Within a couple of minutes, you’ll also begin to see a mild redness around individual brown spots, which will gently peel off over the course of the days that follow. Visible blood vessels will diminish or clear in 10-14 days, while areas of diffuse flushing or redness will gradually fade, leaving your skin looking clearer and younger.

*Individual Results May Vary