Whenever you run into an old friend that you have not seen in several years, the first thing you may notice is that he or she looks much older. This may cause you to think about how much older you look as well. When you realize that you do not look as young as you once did, you may also start to think about ways to recover that youthful look. Before deciding on a treatment method like IPL therapy, some understanding of what causes an aged appearance can be helpful.
As you age, your skin does not produce collagen at the same rate it did in the past. Since collagen helps to keep the skin tight, the lack of it will result in loose skin that starts to sag. This will naturally lead to the formation of lines and wrinkles, which are among the most obvious signs of aging.
Another common sign of aging is the presence of dark spots that are scattered throughout the skin. These spots are typically the result of too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays over time. The skin has a way of protecting itself against damage from these rays. It produces additional melanin. This is the substance that gives the skin its pigment. When more of it is produced, the skin becomes darker from the process of tanning. While a deep tan is usually seen as desirable, the process of getting a tan over and over through the years can lead to melanin that permanently concentrates in spots throughout the skin. These dark spots are actually pockets of concentrated melanin.
Whether you are looking for a way to reduce lines and wrinkles or remove the age spots, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy may be what you need. It is done when intensified light pulses are focused onto the skin from a special unit that is passed across the skin’s surface. The heat from the light becomes therapeutic. It can stimulate the skin to produce collagen in levels that return it to its former level of tightness and fullness. As a result, the lines and wrinkles will disappear.
IPL therapy can also help to get rid of those age spots that you don’t like seeing. In response to the controlled energy from the treatment, the concentrated melanin will begin to break up. The spots will remove themselves over the following days.
IPL therapy at Grossman Dermatology is non-invasive and is an outpatient procedure. After the treatment, you can return to your normal activities. During a consultation at our office in Santa Monica or New York City, our specialist can also give you more details regarding how the treatment can benefit you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more!
