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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy in NYC

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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy in NYC

Dr. Cangello is a top-rated board certified plastic surgeon offering Intense Pulsed Light Therapy in New York City. Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, also known as IPL or IPL Photofacial, is a safe and effective non-ablative laser skin treatment that is used by medical and cosmetic practitioners to improve the color and texture of skin without invasive surgery.1 IPL is used for aesthetic purposes, such as to correct premature aging of the skin (photoaging) due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, as well as therapeutic purposes, such as to reduce or improve dermatologic issues like acne or rosacea.

IPL Therapy can significantly reduce red or brown pigment in the skin and smooth out blotchy patches of skin due to health conditions2, and is most often used on the face, neck, chest, and hands. Dr. Cangello is pleased to offer the IPL Photofacial procedure to his patients because it is highly effective, fast and convenient, and the recovery is rapid—requiring almost no downtime.

What is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy?

The IPL laser is non-ablative—meaning it does not break the surface of the skin—and directs a pulse of light energy into the targeted tissue without damaging or affecting surrounding areas.
The procedure begins with a technician cleansing and applying a cool gel to the treatment area. The patient will be provided with a pair of dark glasses to protect their eyes from the light during the treatment. Once the patient is in a comfortable position, the technician will gently apply the IPL handpiece directly to the desired areas of skin. For those with sensitive skin, the technician may provide a topical numbing cream to apply 30-60 minutes before the treatment starts. IPL treatments take approximately 30 minutes, depending on the areas being treated, but can take up to 60 minutes for larger areas.

IPL can be used to improve:

  • Dark Spots
  • Freckles
  • Redness
  • Rosacea
  • Fine Lines and Wrinkles
  • Scars
  • Spider Veins
  • Acne
  • Hair Removal

What to Expect from IPL Treatment

When the skin is heated through the beam of intense pulsed light, the unwanted cells—the aspect of the skin the patient is being treated for—are eliminated. And since the IPL device has the ability to send out more than one wavelength of pulsating light, it can treat a range of skin conditions during the same visit. Because IPL targets pigment, after a treatment patients are usually pleased to see a more even skin tone leading to a more youthful appearance.

Benefits of IPL

Most patients see their medical or cosmetic provider for three to six IPL treatments with two to four weeks in between each visit. When IPL is done by an experienced practitioner, it can remove 50%-75% of broken blood vessels for most patients.3 Patients with sun damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays can see up to a 70% reduction in freckles and brown spots in the treated areas.4 Patients who use IPL for hair removal will find hair in the treated areas becoming finer and sparser over the weeks the series of treatments are administered.5

Recovery After IPL Photofacial

After an IPL treatment, some patients experience mild redness and/or swelling in the treatment area that usually dissipates within several hours to several days.6 Patients may also feel a slight stinging sensation in the treated area, which usually subsides within four to six hours and can be relieved with cool packs provided by their practitioner. Most patients will see their brown spots becoming darker and/or crusted over the ensuing days, before peeling off completely within several weeks, revealing smooth, beautiful skin.

Am I a Candidate for IPL?

IPL is most effective on those with pale or light olive skin tones. As with any cosmetic treatment, there are some associated risks, though they are greatly minimized by seeing an experienced practitioner.7

Contact Us for a Consultation

If you have any questions about how IPL treatments can smooth out the color and texture of your skin and improve your personal appearance, contact the office of Dr. Cangello at (646) 809-0863 to schedule an informative consultation today. A member of our professional staff will help you make the best possible decision about which method is ideal for your aesthetic needs.

References
1 David J. Goldberg, MD. Current Trends in Intense Pulsed Light. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Available here: http://bit.ly/323eRxJ. Accessed October 31, 2019.
2 What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment? WebMD. Available here:
https://wb.md/2N4BoWL. Accessed October 31, 2019.

3 What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment? WebMD. Available here: https://wb.md/2N4BoWL. Accessed October 31, 2019.
4 What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment? WebMD. Available here: https://wb.md/2N4BoWL. Accessed October 31, 2019.
5 David J. Goldberg, MD. Current Trends in Intense Pulsed Light. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Available here: http://bit.ly/323eRxJ. Accessed October 31, 2019.
6 Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Aging Skin. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Available here: http://bit.ly/2psRY9y. Accessed October 31, 2019.
7 Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Aging Skin. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Available here: http://bit.ly/2psRY9y. Accessed October 31, 2019.

Dr. Cangello has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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The consultation fee with Dr. Cangello starts at $250. Your consultation fee may be applied to your procedure, provided you undergo the same procedure for which you had the consultation.

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