• IPL treatment is non-invasive.doctor image by Elena Vdovina from Fotolia.com
  
  Photofacial procedures are a type of cosmetic treatment that can improve various skin conditions through the usage of intense pulses of light. IPL therapy is used to address redness, wrinkles, pore size, broken capillaries, age spots, freckles, spider veins and unwanted hair. This form of laser therapy also stimulates collagen production and skin elasticity. IPL photofacial treatment is performed through the usage of a machine.
  
  PhotoDerm is a trademarked series of machines that use IPL therapy to perform cosmetic procedures. PhotoDerm machines were introduced by ESC Medical. The company has since changed its name to Lumenis. PhotoDerm VL, PhotoDerm MultiLight and PhotoDerm EpiLight are each trademarked machines produced by Lumenis.
  
  

PhotoDerm VL

• Redness is a common side effect of a photofacial procedure.regard image by valpictures from Fotolia.com
  
  PhotoDerm VL machines are used for photofacial treatments for eliminating spider veins, varicose veins and certain birth marks. This machine targets the red pigment of blood cells to treat vascular lesions. This treatment emits a highly controllable laser that is capable of targeting specific tissue. This treatment is considered an alternative to another vein treatment known as sclerotherapy. When undergoing sclerothery, the unwanted vein is injected with a salt-based serum that causes the vein's walls to stick together and close. PhotoDerm VL treatment is not recommended for patients with darker complexions because of how the therapy interacts with the skin's pigment.
  
  

PhotoDerm MultiLight

• You will feel flashes of heat during the procedure.Laser image by Tigerbeat from Fotolia.com
  
  This machine uses IPL to remove unwanted hair, spider veins, birthmarks, age spots and tattoos. The treatment targets the skin's pigment, or melanin. The treatment works by heating up and destroying unwanted melanin.
  
  

PhotoDerm EpiLight Process

• You will likely need to undergo more than one treatment to achieve desired results.freckles. image by Anna Chelnokova from Fotolia.com
  
  This IPL system is designed to target and eliminate unwanted hair. The IPL is used to destroy the hair's follicle, causing it to fall out and, in some cases, keeps the hair from returning. To ensure the hair does not regrow, the treatment must be performed during the hair's active growth cycle. Only a portion of hair is in the growth cycle at one time so the procedure must be repeated two or three times to ensure the hair does not grow back. This hair-removal process is an alternative to electrolysis, a treatment in which a probe is inserted into the hair 's follicle and then heated.
  
  

What to Expect

• You will be provided with protective eye-wear, as the laser produces a very bright flash of light each time it is activated. Cool gel will be applied to the area being treated by IPL. You will feel a warm sensation while undergoing the treatment. IPL recovery time can range from a few hours to a couple of days.