The Photofacial delivers light energy to gently heat the upper layers of your skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to regenerate. In addition, the light energy penetrates deep into the skin to boost your body’s natural ability to fight the appearance of aging. The result? Skin that’s naturally beautiful and visibly younger looking, year after year!
How to prepare for your treatment:
- No natural sun exposure, use of tanning beds, use of tanning lotions and/or spray tan application for 4 weeks prior to treatment.
- Some medications or supplements may increase your risk of bruising. Consult with your aesthetician. Arnica Montana is recommended to decrease the likelihood of bruising. Arnica is available for purchase at Facial Aesthetics.
- If you have a history of herpes or cold sores, we highly recommend a course of anti-viral medication pre and post treatment. This will prevent an outbreak of cold sores if you are prone to them. Cold sores can also break out on people who are not prone to them, but who have sensitive skin. If you would like us to call in a prescription for you, please call our offices.
- Your provider will recommend appropriate products to help enhance results and minimize potential side effects.
What to expect day of treatment:
- First cool gel is applied to the treatment area.
- Next, the applicator is placed on the skin to deliver the light therapy.
- The light energy delivered by BBL will precisely deliver laser energy to specific targets in your skin.
- It gently heats the upper layers of your skin. The heat absorbed by the targeted areas will stimulate your skin cells to regenerate.
- If brown spots are the target, BBL penetrates the skin to reach the pigment. The particles of the pigment left behind will peel or slough off within 7-14 days.
- If redness is the target, blood vessels in the superficial layers of the skin absorb the laser energy which causes them too close.
- Patients often describe a warm popping sensation. You may experience some discomfort in more sensitive areas.
Post treatment care:
- You may experience some redness in the treatment area that should resolve within a few hours.
- You may notice darkening of your pigmented spots, followed by fading and flaking off at a later stage.
- Follow your clinician’s aftercare plan until skin is completely healed – typically one week after the treatment. The skin on your
body might take longer to heal, compared to your face. - There is virtually no downtime after this non-invasive and gentle procedure. In most cases, you are able to apply make-up, return to work and resume most of your activities immediately.
Just as important as the treatment, is the care for your skin pre- and post-
treatment.
CLEANSING:
- Cleanse the skin two times a day with plain, lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Use your hands and fingertips to cleanse using gentle patting motions. DO NOT rub, scrub, use an exfoliant soap or skin care brush, e.g. Clarisonic in the treated area.
MOISTURIZER:
- Moisturizer should be applied generously with clean hands over treated area and reapplied whenever your skin feels dry.
SUNSCREEN:
- Sunscreen is a MUST and should be used daily beginning the day of treatment and used consistently. Use sunscreen with Broadband UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of at least 30.
- Ensure to reapply during sun exposure. DO NOT expose your skin to direct sun exposure for 14 days. The treated area is more prone to sunburn and pigmentation change.