Is an IPL Photofacial Painful?

While each person’s pain threshold is different, most find IPL to be tolerable. Most of you will experience a minor stinging sensation while the device is passed over the skin. After an IPL session, you may encounter mild redness and swelling, but these side effects fade within a few hours or by the end of the day.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

With IPL, patients usually need 3-6 treatments scheduled four weeks apart. During your consultation in Philadelphia, our aesthetician will conduct a thorough skin assessment and make personalized recommendations.

How Long Until I See Results?

Most patients see notable improvements in skin tone and texture within a few weeks of treatment. However, results will continue to improve over the coming months as collagen production increases.

Can I Combine an IPL Photofacial With Other Procedures?

Pairing IPL with laser skin rejuvenation , injectables , or microneedling is an excellent way to enhance and extend your results. Speak with our experienced aesthetician about a combination approach during your private Philadelphia consultation.

What Are the Risks Associated With an IPL Photofacial?

Choosing an experienced, credentialed provider, such as Greco MD’s licensed medical aesthetician in Bala Cynwyd, PA, greatly reduces risks with any cosmetic treatment. However, there are a few inherent risks involved with IPL, including: Scarring Blistering Pain Swelling Redness Changes in skin color

IPL Photofacial

Philadelphia, PA

Introduction to IPL Photofacial

Intense pulsed light (IPL) – also referred to as a Photofacial – is a type of therapy used to improve the skin’s color, tone, and texture without the need for surgery. The treatment relies on powerful light energy at different wavelengths to treat a wide range of skin conditions, including sun damage, acne scars, stretch marks, age spots, wrinkles, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. Our highly trained licensed medical aesthetician performs IPL at Greco MD in Bala Cynwyd, PA, and is conveniently located to provide patients in the Main Line, including Villanova, Bryan Mar, and Wayne, with a positive experience from consultation to recovery to ensure their utmost safety while delivering transformative cosmetic results.

A woman sitting on a bed with a soft smile, playfully tucking her hair behind her ear, illuminated by soft morning light - IPL Photofacial in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Greco

What is an IPL Photofacial?

IPL therapy is an innovative solution for treating a wide range of complexion concerns safely and effectively. During treatment, a series of short light pulses are directed at the skin cells in the target area. Light waves pass through the top layer of skin (epidermis) to the targeted lesion, which may be pigmented or vascular. The technology is suitable not only for the face but can also be used on the neck, chest, back of the hands, and shoulders. Because the IPL device delivers broad-spectrum light pulses that can be customized to your needs, it is an excellent choice for addressing:

Redness or blotchiness caused by rosacea.
Age spots, freckles, and sun spots
Uneven skin tone and texture
Unwanted facial hair
Acne scarring

What Are the Benefits of an IPL Photofacial?

IPL Photofacials address numerous complexion issues simultaneously, helping patients in Philadelphia and beyond reclaim a radiant, youthful appearance without invasive surgery. Advantages include:

Softens and smooths rough skin
Clarifies the skin tone
Boosts collagen production
Combats sun damage
Eradicates freckles, spots, and pigmented lesions
Rewinds the clock on aging
Reverses hyperpigmentation and redness
Fades acne scars
Brief treatment time
Enhances self-confidence
Long-lasting results, up to a year

Benefits

Who Are the Best Candidates For an IPL Photofacial?

IPL is an appropriate treatment for almost any patient, provided they are in good health and have realistic expectations for their results. However, those with tanned or darker skin may find better results with microneedling. Additionally, patients with severe acne, entrenched wrinkles, or deep scars may benefit more from laser therapy. Our aesthetician will conduct a thorough consultation process that includes a detailed skin analysis and medical review to ensure that an IPL Photofacial will meet your goals safely and effectively.

Candidates

What’s the First Step?

Your IPL Photofacial Journey With Dr. Timothy Greco

The first step with an IPL session is to meet with our dedicated, friendly team at Greco MD in Bala Cynwyd, PA, for a private consultation. During this meeting, we will delve into your medical history, assessing any allergies or preexisting conditions. Next, we will examine your skin and discuss your concerns about your appearance. Once it is determined that an IPL Photofacial is a good choice for you, your treatment date will be scheduled.

Here are some precautions to keep in mind before your IPL therapy session:

Avoid sun tanning, tanning beds, and topical self-tanning products for four weeks before IPL
Do not undergo epilation (waxing), chemical peels, or injectables for two weeks before IPL
Do not use perfume, makeup, deodorant, or any products that can cause skin irritations on the day of treatment
Do not take aspirin or other blood thinners up to two days before IPL

Patients taking Accutane/Isotretinoin must wait at least six months after they have stopped taking the medication before receiving treatments. Pregnant women should also wait to receive IPL until after they have given birth and are no longer breastfeeding.

What to Expect on the Day of an IPL Photofacial Treatment

Since the device emits a broad spectrum of intense pulsed lights, you will be given safety shields or glasses to protect your eyes.You may experience a stinging sensation when the device is passed over your skin. Your provider will address the target areas, taking care to focus on uniform anti-aging results that lead to a brighter, clearer complexion. Each IPL session lasts about 15-30 minutes, and most patients require anywhere from three to six treatments. IPL is most effective when performed in a series, with treatments scheduled four weeks apart.

Expectations

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IPL Photofacial Recovery

An IPL Photofacial is an aesthetic treatment involving no incisions or injections, so it comes with minimal recovery time. Any post-treatment redness usually clears up in a few hours, and pigmented lesions darken and flake off over the next few days. The texture and tone of the skin will continue to improve over the weeks following treatment as collagen production is gradually increased.

After an IPL session, your skin is much more sensitive to sunlight and more prone to sunburn, blistering, and hyperpigmentation. Please use sunscreen and avoid exposure to harmful UV radiation from the sun in the days following your treatment.

Certain cosmetic products and medications can increase your skin’s photosensitivity (decreased tolerance to sunlight), causing burns or rashes. The following can increase photosensitivity:

Certain types of antibiotics, like tetracyclines and quinolones
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Aspirin
Certain antifungal drugs
Antihistamines
Oral contraceptives
Oral diabetes medications
Diuretics
Tricyclic antidepressants
St. John’s wort
Alpha-hydroxy acids
Beta-hydroxy acids
Tretinoins
Perfumes or oils containing lavender, bitter orange, musk, or lemon verbena
Foods such as celery, dill, lime, and parsley

Following all aftercare instructions will ensure you achieve the best results after treatment.

How Much Does an IPL Photofacial Cost in Philadelphia, PA?

The cost of an IPL Photofacial in Philadelphia will vary based on the areas addressed, the extent of your skin concerns, and how many sessions are required to achieve your goals. Rest assured, and you will receive personalized pricing after completing your private consultation and skin analysis with our experienced licensed medical aesthetician in Bala Cynwyd (Philadelphia), PA.

Cost

Why Choose Dr. Greco?

At Greco MD in Philadelphia, all aesthetic treatments, including IPL Photofacials, are guided and overseen by our double-board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Timothy M. Greco, MD, FACS. Dr. Greco is credentialed by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and he serves as the Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and currently holds medical licenses for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Minnesota. Your IPL treatment will take place at our private, state-of-the-art surgical center located at 2 Bala Plaza (adjacent to Saks Fifth Avenue) in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Every team member is dedicated to your success and delivering nuanced, age-defying outcomes that boost your confidence and overall well-being.

Why us?

IPL Photofacial FAQ’S

Choosing an experienced, credentialed provider, such as Greco MD’s licensed medical aesthetician in Bala Cynwyd, PA, greatly reduces risks with any cosmetic treatment. However, there are a few inherent risks involved with IPL, including:
- Scarring
- Blistering
- Pain
- Swelling
  Redness
- Changes in skin color

Schedule a Consultation

If you would like to learn more about the many benefits of an IPL Photofacial and how it can help you to achieve your best complexion, contact us at Greco MD in Philadelphia today! We are eager to speak with you and set up a private consultation, during which we can answer all your questions in depth and create a customized treatment plan for you.