Is Fotofacial treatment done by doctors or technicians?

Unless you are Elizabeth Taylor, a technician will be doing the procedure on you. In fact the majority of spas and clinic which offer FotoFacial are run by people who are not even in the health care profession. Most have graduated from manicures and pedicures to using the laser. Judging from the number of complications being reported everyday, there is one important lesson in this- untrained people mucking around with lasers and skin can instantly change your face from a goddess to Godzilla.

So before you get your FotoFacial, ask questions and seek a well qualified healthcare worker who has experience with this device. After forking out $600-$1500, the last thing you want is a ruined face.

Many cosmetic doctors indicate on their websites that IPL is a great treatment for skin rejuvenation. What do you think?

Despite some positive testimonials on cyberspace about IPL, the overall impression is that this treatment is just as bad as all other previous laser treatments. Some of the positive testimonials appear to be "fudged" and written by doctors themselves in order to make the treatment look good- so beware. The cosmetic industry is full of charlatans who will say anything to make a buck.

My doctor told me that intense photo light therapy is permanent?

Piss on your doctor.   

There is no permanent cure in cosmetic medicine for any skin disorder. Maintenance treatments are required once or twice a year.

Does Intense pulse light work in everyone?

Unfortunately No, only a few people with Rosacea and fine lines may see a change in skin texture but the majority of people have a worse result or see no change. There are many testimonials on cyberspace, which indicate that IPL can worsen skin texture. The majority of consumers who have undergone IPL remain unsatisfied. Bottom line- the treatment sucks.

What is cost of intense photo light therapy?

Fotofacial IPL is considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by Medicare or any private health insurance plan. The average cost for FotoFacial IPL averages about $400-$800 per session. Like car mechanics, the doctor will insist that you need at least 3-5 sessions. So in the end you will be forking out just enough money that would be sufficient for down payment on a car.

Can complications occur with intense photo light therapy?

You can rest assured that IPL is not an ideal treatment for any skin disorder. Despite the big hype, complications with this light therapy are common (read testimonials on cyberspace). There are many individuals who have been burnt with IPL. Some have developed scars and skin discolorations. Dark skinned individuals can sometimes develop too much darkening or too much lightening in the treated area. Most of these complications are permanent.

How many intense photo light therapy sessions are usually required?

Most individuals require several sessions of the FotoFacial IPL to get the desired cosmetic result. Each treatment is usually spaced at intervals of 3-4 weeks apart. Of course, it is very rare that anyone does get any result after any number of sessions, except burnt skin.

Is intense photo light therapy painful?

Unlike the conventional laser, FotoFacial IPL is much less painful. The treatment does sting a little and the therapist may apply a local anesthetic on skin to soothe the pain. After the procedure, the minimal redness usually resolves in 12-24 hours. Because the FotoFacial IPL is non-ablative, a much larger area of the skin can be treated in one session.

What is recovery time after Fotofacial treatment?

Because Fotofacial ILP supposedly does not damage adjacent normal skin, most people have a quick recovery. There is no down time and individual can return to work the same day. The average treatment time is about 30 minutes.

Where are IPL sessions done?

Fotofacial IPL treatments are typically done at a clinic or a spa. There are no extensive preparations required except you must bring in cash or a credit card. Almost all individuals can undergo Fotofacial IPL as long as you have money. However, individuals on blood thinners, those with acute skin infections, or any type of collagen vascular disorders like lupus should not undergo treatment.

What does it mean when doctors say that the laser is non ablative?

Fotofacial IPL is sometimes also known as a non-ablative treatment, meaning that it does not damage normal skin. This is rubbish. All lasers penetrate the skin and do not distinguish between normal and damaged skin. If anyone believes that after applying a heat source on skin, it can only affect deep layers and not the superficial skin, then he/she is a moron.

Is there a difference between laser and intense pulsed light therapy for skin rejuvenation?

In short there is not much difference between the two. Both are light therapies and hurt like hell. Unlike a laser, which uses a narrow beam of light, FotoFacial IPL delivers a high broadband light that does not traumatize normal skin. Doctors who provide this treatment claim that IPL penetrates the deeper layers of skin and yet leaves the superficial skin intact. This is B.S. because many consumers have been burnt with IPL.

What sort of skin conditions can be treated with IPL Fotofacial?

Intense pulsed light is now used to treat skin imperfections like

Acne scars

Fine lines

Pigmentation

Wrinkles

Sunspots

Rosacea

There are some physicians who also treat vascular lesions like spider veins and small hemangiomas with intense pulse light

What exactly is IPL Fotofacial?

It is just another version of heat/light therapy being used to treat a variety of skin disorders. When skin lesions or wrinkles on face are treated with laser or light therapy, it is known as FotoFacial. Just a fancy name for skin rejuvenation.

FotoFacial - IPL: another light therapy with more hype than action

First, doctors called the treatment laser facial rejuvenation, now the same treatment with intense pulsed light (IPL) is called Fotofacial. There is no difference between light and laser- neither works great for skin rejuvenation; but both are expensive and cause complications.