Photofacial Skin Treatments in St. Louis

Photofacial skin treatment plays a significant role in the quest for youthful and radiant skin. This cosmetic skin treatment procedure uses intense pulses of white light energy to affect multiple beneficial changes to the upper and lower layers of the skin. Through the absorption of this broad band light in the skin, we can reduce the abnormal vascular, and brown melanin structures as well as stimulate the production of collagen, resulting in clearer, more uniform, brighter  and tighter skin. Many people choose a photofacial treatment because it is a non-invasive and low risk procedure that can treat sunspots, wrinkles, fine lines, pore size, acne scars, rosacea, redness, and small abnormal veins.

To find out more about photofacial treatments or our other anti-aging skin treatment options, call Midwest Vein Care at 636-536-0241. We will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have about photofacial procedures and help determine if this is the right treatment for you.

How the Photofacial Treatment Works

To begin the process, the area to be treated is cleaned, photographed and a cream is applied to numb the skin. During the treatment, a cooling gel and cold air are used to add to the patient comfort during a photofacial treatment. The photofacial procedure uses intense pulsed light, or IPL technology, to deliver precise doses of a range of light energy through the skin’s surface. This energy is concentrated on the target areas using a hand-held device. The sensation is described to be similar to that of a snapping rubber band. Once the light pulses are delivered, the skin is cleaned again and a post laser gel and sunscreen are applied to the treated area.

The dosage amounts used during each procedure must be set specifically to your skin type and skin problems to be treated, as personalized by our medical professionals. Once the light energy has been delivered, it is absorbed by the damaged tissue converting light energy to heat energy that then causes the desired result. This will include the reduction of vascularity and brown spots from sun damage, as well as cause an increase in dermal collagen that will thicken and tighten the skin. Redness, abnormal veins, rosacea, large pores, hyper-pigmentation, and fine lines can all be improved with a photofacial procedure.

The complete procedure can take about a half-an-hour to one hour, depending on the surface area to be treated. Some patients feel a warm sensation on their face after treatment. This is normal and may last for up to one hour. Photofacial is done as a series of 3-6 treatments done about 3 weeks apart. Each individual’s skin is unique and the number of treatments needed to achieve optimal results may vary from person to person. Patients may also require follow-up maintenance treatments to prolong the effects.

Who is a Candidate for Photofacial Treatment?

A photofacial procedure can be performed on a wide variety of individuals. If you begin to notice sun damage, dull skin, uneven color or texture, or other signs of ageing, you may be a candidate for photofacial treatment. The treatment is most recommended for those who want to reduce of signs of rosacea, visibly discolored scars, brown sunspots, redness, and increased pore size. Skin tightening and wrinkle reduction also often occur with treatment, but this is not the primary reason that it is recommended.

What are the Risks of Photofacial Treatment?

While photofacial treatment is available for all types of skin tones, the procedure may have higher risks on those with darker skin tones. This procedure is better and safer for lighter skin, as it may cause darkening or hyper-pigmentation when used to treat dark skin.

Additional risks involved with this treatment include:

• Bruising- Patients are asked to refrain from the use of any anti-inflammatory or blood thinning drugs in the week before treatment to reduce this risk
• Blisters
• Burns
• Scabbing- especially if the patient has brown spots on their skin
• Skin redness
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Changes in pigmentation- which can occur in patients with tan or dark skin tones

Most of these potential risks and side effects are avoidable or will be very temporary.

Learn More About Photofacial Treatment at Midwest Vein Care

At Midwest Vein Care, we strive to provide the best and most personalized treatment for your skin type. Most of the cosmetic skincare treatments are optimally done in a multiple treatment, integrated and layered approach. It is also understood that time, sun, environmental damage, and aging will continue… so that all skin care improvements need to be maintained with carefully timed and planned maintenance plans. We offer a wide variety of treatment options and will help you to determine which anti-aging skin treatment is best for your individual needs. To find out more about photofacial procedures and other wrinkle treatments that we offer, call us today at 636-536-0241.