• Are most easily treated with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

What is Intense Pulsed Light?

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is also known as:
  • Photo-facials
  • Fotofacials, and
  • Photo rejuvenation
• IPL is a state-of-the-art system and the latest technique in skin rejuvenation therapy
• The IPL system delivers high intensity, smooth and powerful pulses of light (not lasers)
• For skin therapy, IPL stimulates new collagen growth resulting in smoother, more even, healthier skin

How Does it Work?

• A highly advanced computer regulates the light pulse to a specific wavelength range
  • This in turn heats a portion of the skin
  • This removes the unwanted tissue or pigment
  • It spares or avoids the surrounding healthy or “normal” tissue
• The penetration depth and degree of heat is highly controlled to minimize complications
• With IPL  fotofacial rejuvenation, the light pulses are directed at, and improves:
  • Brown freckling
  • Enlarged pores
  • Sun damage
  • Skin collagen
  • Redness caused by broken capillaries
• All of these lead to smoother, younger looking skin and reduced redness at the same time

• Please click here to watch a video clip in which Dr. V discusses IPL

• There is no cream at this time that will remove spider angiomas
• The IPL treatments ‘sting’ and the area treated may remain pink for 1 to 2 hours
• The treatment may produce small crusts or a small bruise
  • This is normal
• You may bathe normally after an IPL treatment
• A bandage is not necessary
• Treatment of spider angiomas is not covered by OHIP or private health insurance
• There is a small risk that the treatment may produce permanent white marks (scars)

How can you prevent Spider Angiomas?

• Wear a hat with a broad brim
• Wear protective clothing (e.g. long sleeves)
• Avoid the outdoors when the sun is strongest between the hours of 10 am to 3 pm
• Use a sunscreen year round with an SPF of at least 30
• Wear a sunscreen which resists water and sweating
• Use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB
• Reapply sunscreen every hour if you are in water or sweating heavily
• Wear sunscreen even if you are in the shade, it is still possible to burn
• Avoid tanning beds
• The ultraviolet light from tanning beds causes skin cancer