Fotofacials, also known as IPL (intense pulsed light) Photofacials, are great for correcting sun damage and uneven skin tones. If you have unwanted reds and browns in the skin, a fotofacial can create an even tone and revitalized complexion. Fotofacials also diminish small wrinkles and the appearance of pores. Although fotofacials are said to work best for those with light complexions, do not rule out fotofacials if you have a darker complexion.
Skin Pigmentation
Melanin is the component that primarily determines our skin color. The genes we inherit from both of our parents determine how much melanin and what type of melanin we have in our skin. Depending on this genetic makeup, our skin may be anywhere from very light to very dark, and it may have different shades of browns, reds, and olives present. Melanin is responsible for the diversity in human skin colors, and is something to celebrate. Individuals with Asian skin or olive skin can take pride in their heritage and natural beauty. Higher concentrations of melanin in the skin protects the skin from the damaging effects of the Sun’s rays and can delay aging changes in the skin compared to relatively lightly pigmented skin. Sun damage, aging, acne scars, and prominent blood vessels also affect our skin’s appearance. Fotofacials target this damage in the skin, renewing your natural, healthy complexion.
Melanin and Fotofacials
The goal of a Fotofacial is usually not to lighten the skin overall, but to give it a more youthful and healthy appearance by gently correcting sun damage, color spots, blood vessels, and inconsistencies in skin tone. A Fotofacial is not about becoming whiter or lighter. Instead, Fotofacials improve damaged skin, close small capillaries and red spots, and stimulate collagen production. The diminished appearance of wrinkles and pores further improves the complexion.
The Intense Pulsed Light administered during a Fotofacial targets melanin, but it is important to understand what this means. Instead of whitening or lightening the skin overall, Fotofacials target selected areas where melanin is most concentrated. Because sun damage can increase the amount of melanin in the skin, and damage can occur unevenly, a properly tuned Fotofacial targets the areas with the highest melanin concentrations. This allows the excessive melanin from sun damage, freckles, and Sunspots to be separated from the intrinsic skin melanin. Sun damage can be improved without harming the natural tone. As the natural skin tone increases, less energy is used for each Fotofacial treatment. Provided the spots on your skin darker than the surrounding skin, you may be a good candidate for a Fotofacial. To get the most from your Fotofacial, it is important to choose an experienced physician with broad experience treating a wide variety of skin types.
Risks
If your problem areas are not significantly darker than your natural skin tone, a successful Fotofacial may be more difficult to achieve. With Asian skin, it is easy to underestimate the amount of pigment present, resulting in burns, blisters, and even skin discoloration. This happens when the IPL treatment power setting is too high. If the power setting is too low, however, you will have no benefit from the treatment.
The best way to avoid this is to have an experienced doctor administer the Fotofacial, rather than have a nurse, technician, or medical assistant administer the procedure. Many practices routinely turn over Fotofacial treatments to nurses and technicians, who do not have the expertise of a fully qualified doctor. Nurses and technicians rely on standard recommendations for power settings, rather than observing how your unique face is reacting to the treatment and adjusting the power settings accordingly. This is why the immediate presence of a physician is highly beneficial to get the greatest benefit from your treatment.
Individualized Treatment Plans
When you are seeking a doctor, ask as many questions as you have. Press the doctor to find out if he or she has experience with your skin type. Ask the doctor how he or she makes treatment decisions to get a feel for how insightful the doctor is. The doctor most likely to achieve great results will be one who has worked with a variety of skin types, including yours. A doctor who has worked with your skin type has first-hand experience necessary to achieve the best treatment results. A doctor who has a history of treating diverse skin types can distinguish differences in treatment, both subtle and large, that each skin type requires. If your skin differs somewhat from similar skin types, the doctor’s range of abilities will help him or her figure out how to adjust your treatment accordingly.
When questioning doctors to find the one right for you, ask who is and isn’t a suitable candidate for a Fotofacial. A good doctor will be happy to answer your questions without making you feel stupid or like you are wasting his or her time. A competent, honest, and ethical doctor will admit that certain complexions may not benefit from this treatment. An ethical practitioner will also be honest if this treatment is not suitable for your complexion.
Fotofacials often benefit people with Asian or olive skin. Depending on the individual nature of your skin, a Fotofacial may help you. However, because your skin type presents certain challenges, you may be better off without a Fotofacial. The only way to know for sure is to consult a doctor who specializes in Fotofacials and has treated a wide range of skin types.
What to Expect at a Consultation
Call Dr. Steinsapir today for a consultation. He will assess you personally to determine if Fotofacial will be beneficial for you. If a Fotofacial is not right for you, Dr. Steinsapir will tell you about more suitable options. If you are a candidate for Fotofacial, he will personally perform your Fotofacial to maximize the benefits according to your needs and the needs of your complexion.
