| What is it? | Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment uses an intense burst of red or blue light shone on to the skin to improve tone and texture and even out pigmentation. |
| Timings | Treatment take 30 minutes; 6-9 initial treatments over 3-week period; top up every 4-6 weeks to maintain. |
| Cost | £50+ per treatment. |
What is skin rejuvenation?
Facial skin is supported by underlying collagen and elastin, which diminish with age, causing fine lines and wrinkles to appear. Pure, non-laser, narrow-beam red light stimulates the body's own natural processes to form new collagen and elastin.What skin rejuvenation can do
The treatment can improve skin tone and texture, lift and hydrate skin and even out pigmentation. It makes skin firmer and smoother, reducing lines and wrinkles. It can be used on the face, neck and chest as well as other areas which have been exposed to sun, such as the hands.What a skin rejuvenation can't do
Skin that has already been heavily damaged by over-exposure to sun won't benefit from this treatment, which is most helpful to skins showing early signs of lines and wrinkles.What happens during treatment?
As with any cosmetic treatment, you should consult a qualified practitioner before deciding to go ahead.Patients lie on a bed with eyes covered while an intense burst of light is shone on to the skin. No anaesthetic is used, and although the process may be mildly uncomfortable, many patients report a sense of general wellbeing afterwards. No recovery time is needed, but the skin may look slightly reddened. Treatments are given in courses of six to nine sessions over a three-week period. To maintain results you will need to have regular treatments.
It is often combined with other treatments such as botox or chemical peels.
Results
The initial effect is a clearer, brighter complexion which improves with subsequent treatments.Risks
The effects of this light source as a skin enhancer were discovered through its use in hospital dermatology and oncology departments. It has been used for more than 10 years in hospitals with no side-effects. The light used doesn't have dangerous UV or infrared rays or generate heat, so it can't burn the skin. The treatment is unsuitable for anyone who suffers from epilepsy or porphyria. Avoid exposure to the sun for 24-48 hours after treatment and use sunscreen and moisturisers.Where to get treatment
Available from some cosmetic surgeons.Cost
A single treatment costs around £50, a course of three around £130, and a course of 10 around £400.Alternatives to skin rejuvenation
Professional facials, or facial massage which you can do yourself, won't remove existing lines and wrinkles, but could delay the onset of new ones. Many skin care preparations are available which claim to reduce the signs of ageing.IPL skin rejuvenation - Help and info
Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites.Organisation
British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
c/o The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
Advice Line: 020 7405 2234
E-mail: info@baaps.org.uk
Website: www.baaps.org.uk
Offers information about aesthetic plastic surgery; its website features a search facility for accredited surgeons.
Links
Consulting Room – IPL Skin Rejuvenation
www.consultingroom.com/Treatment/laser-skin-rejuvenation
Good UK site that provides a wide range of impartial and independent cosmetic and medical information and demystifies the world of cosmetic treatments. This link looks at the latest skin rejuvenation techniques.
Original Article: http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/L/lust4life/look_young/treat_ipl.html(No longer available)