Sun damage is one of the most common problems treated at Face Plus.
Pigmentation is caused by sun exposure and specifically the UVA rays which penetrate your skin on a deeper level and cause ageing.
UVA’s stimulate pigment cells called melanocytes to create pigment called melanin. Melanin is responsible for your tan and also unwanted pigmentation.
They don’t appear overnight; these sun spots can take up to 10-20 years to develop.
Triggers for pigmentation in young women can also be the pill (contraception) and pregnancy, which alters your hormone levels. In combination with exposure to the sun this can results in dark spots, often on the upper lip and forehead.
Pigmentation can appear all over the body, any part that is exposed to the sun; face, décolletage, hands, back and shoulders.
There are a number of facials and treatments available to treat pigmentation. Depending on the type of pigmentation skin peels or laser treatments may be suggested. You can read further about the peels available here.
This blog we are focusing on the laser treatment called Limelight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). This device was invented to combat age spots, skin redness, small veins and sun damage. IPL provides dramatic results for sun damaged skin.
Limelight is perfect for any part of the face, neck, décolletage and hands with redness, small veins or dark spots. Light brown spots that may have been difficult to resolve in the past, respond well to this treatment.
There are varying programs to customise the treatment to your skin type and type of pigmentation.
Depending on the area that is being treated it should take less than one hour. Results can be seen following one to six treatments. Conditions such as rosacea would take six treatments with regular follow up treatment. Limelight IPL treatments are spaced one month apart.
Immediately following the Limelight IPL treatment, the spots will darken, your skin may appear slightly red, be mildly swollen and this will last for a few hours or possibly a day or longer. You can always apply makeup to cover up any redness that may be visible. Within one to three weeks, the darkened spots will flake off and fade.
Redness or small veins will decrease and the mottled look of complexion will improve.
Prior to receiving your Limelight IPL treatment your Dermal Therapist must perform a patch test; a full treatment appointment can be made 48 hours following your patch test if you have not experienced any side effects.
Clients always ask if this is a permanent solution, it can be if proper care is taken. New spots and redness may appear with new sun exposure and damage.
The best care and prevention is to protect your skin from the sun. Read our sun safe tips here.
For further details on Limelight IPL visit our treatment page
For a consultation with one of our experienced dermal therapists:
Call: 02 8897 0000
Email: [email protected]
