In the world of skincare, Precision Skin Institute is fortunate to offer many of the best skincare treatments available to help our patients look and feel their best. But with options, come questions, and we like to make sure that everyone is well-informed about the best skincare options for their skin type before making a decision.
Two skin-perfecting treatments worth discussing? Intense pulsed light therapy versus chemical peels.
Both treatments offer amazing results for our dermatology clients. However, it’s important to know that these treatments are very different in what they treat, how they treat, and what the effects look and feel like post-treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, otherwise known as a photofacial, is a procedure that involves intense pulses of light designed to penetrate deep into the skin. This treatment is ideal for people with large pores, blotchy or discolored skin, and especially for those on-the-go. IPL devices use multiple wavelengths of light to treat:
- Sun-induced changes on the face, including brown pigmentation and age spots
- Rosacea, including redness and broken blood vessels.
- Acne
IPL can also be used on the hands, chest and neck to diminish age spots or any other areas suffering from discoloration or broken blood vessels.
While you may experience a little bit of redness or darkening in the treated area immediately following your visit, this will diminish within a few days to a week. After a targeted brown spot removal, there may be light flaking that can be easily managed with moisturizer and makeup.
As for any discomfort associated with the treatment, you may be offered a numbing cream prior to your procedure.
How many IPL treatments will you need to take care of your skin issue? That all depends on your skin type, the severity of the issue, and how quickly your skin begins to react to the light, but usually no more than three to six treatments. These treatments are on the more sophisticated side and require specialized attention and expertise from a practitioner. IPL treatments at Precision Skin Institute cost from $300-$500 per treatment.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is designed to help the skin’s overall appearance, rather than just treat one targeted area of the skin. Chemical peels are commonly used to:
- Reduce fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth
- Treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and aging
- Improve the appearance of mild scars
- Treat certain types of acne
- Reduce age spots, freckles, and dark patches (melasma)
A chemical peel at Precision Skin Institute can be applied to the face, neck, or hands. A fruit acid solution is applied to the skin which makes the top layer of the skin react, revealing a fresh layer of healthy, glowing skin. You may feel a light sting and a slight burning sensation which is common during a peel and will usually last anywhere from 5-10 minutes during the treatment. Not to worry, though, our knowledgeable and dedicated aestheticians will provide you with a fan to keep your skin feeling cool throughout the process.
Following a chemical peel, you’ll have to treat your skin delicately for a few days. A reaction similar to a sunburn occurs following the procedure. Peeling usually involves redness followed by scaling that ends within three to seven days. A chemical peel does not require the same level of medical expertise as an IPL treatment, meaning you will spend a little less on one of these procedures – from $125-$300 per treatment.
One important tip to remember with both procedures is that it is very important to stay away from the sun for anywhere from 1-2 weeks (depending on treatment intensity) following either treatment. Also, be sure to avoid harsh facials, waxing, dermabrasion, or skin treatments with retinoid creams which can over-irritate the skin and worsen the outcome.
Still not sure which skincare treatment is best for your skin needs? Visit us for a consultation today so we can not only assess the health of your skin, we can give you an individualized treatment plan to help you look and feel your best.
At Precision Skin Institute, healthy skin means a very healthy YOU!
