Photofacial Bellevue & Kirkland

Photoaging is premature, visible aging caused by exposure to the sun and some artificial sunlight sources such as tanning beds. It can manifest in many different forms such as wrinkles or sun damage. It will normally appear as discoloration like brown spots, redness, or even freckles. A treatment known as a photofacial is one of the most effective ways to reduce photoaging. Northwest Face & Body performs the best photofacial Bellevue and Kirkland provide.

Overview: Understanding An IPL Photofacial

A Bellevue photofacial is an intense pulsed light treatment. Similar to a laser, IPL is a light-based procedure that emits broadband light, or more than one wavelength. It also delivers light to the skin in a pulsating manner that helps saturate the skin with light energy. The light energy targets areas of increased melanin such as brown or red spots.

Since an IPL photofacial emits more than one wavelength of light, it can target multiple unwanted pigments on the skin as well as signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. It is not an ablative laser treatment and thus patients do not require anesthesia for it. Many also do not opt for numbing cream, though it is available.

Uses

An IPL photofacial is one of the most versatile skin treatments. It treats everything from birthmarks to blood lesions and is generally considered a safe procedure. Unfortunately, since it uses melanin as its indicator to treat skin, a photofacial is not recommended for patients with a skin tone darker than a Fitzpatrick scale III. Thankfully, patients with darker skin do have options to treat pigmentation issues and their skin concerns.

An IPL photofacial can help treat:

• Sun damage
• Spider veins
• Rosacea
• Birthmarks
• Freckles
• Acne
• Scarring
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Age spots
• Broken capillaries
• General red and brown spots

The photofacial treatment is commonly used on the face, neck, chest, and hands. This is because these are the areas where aging skin is typically more visible. They also are more prone to discoloration due to increased sun exposure. Though, a photofacial can spot treat scarring, birthmarks, and other instances of hyperpigmentation all around the body.

Benefits & Risks

A photofacial offers several benefits. Though, alongside these benefits, patients must consider the possible risks. While the risks are overall minimal, it is important to consider them. Your master esthetician will help you weigh the benefits and risks and how they pertain to you during your consultation. The benefits of a photofacial include:

• Reduce the appearance of rosacea
• Address other skin redness
• Treat spider veins
• Lessen fine lines and wrinkles
• Help treat sun-damaged skin
• Reduce brown spots
• Promote collagen production
• Treat broken capillaries
• Provide overall skin rejuvenation
• Quick treatment
• Minimal recovery and aftercare
• Versatile procedure that can treat several concerns at once
• Safe and effective
• Considered the best treatment for redness and pigmentation issues
• Performed by experienced and professional master estheticians

As previously mentioned, the risks of an IPL photofacial treatment are minimal for good candidates. With that said, patients should know the possible risks, how to avoid them, and what may increase their individual risk. The risks of a photofacial include:

• Infection
• Burns (rare)
• Prolonged or severe side effects
• Scarring
• Hyperpigmentation
• Unexpected results
• Swelling
• Sunburn due to increased sun sensitivity
• Bleeding
• Skin peeling

Most of these risks are completely reversible and treatable. Some people simply react differently or more severely than others. Generally, it does not go beyond some extra aftercare to address these minor complications. Your master esthetician will ensure you are a low risk candidate for major complications.

Photofacial vs. Fraxel

While an IPL device is different from a laser, the procedures are undeniably similar. Patients considering a photofacial also often are candidates for Fraxel, a form of non-ablative laser resurfacing. Our master estheticians also perform Fraxel treatments and can discuss which treatment will better suit you. Below you can find a comparison of the two procedures below.

Photofacial

• Light-based
• Broadband light that can be filtered, but emits multiple wavelengths
• Uses short pulses and treats the skin more broadly
• Best for treating pigmentation issues
• Takes around thirty minutes
• May need more sessions
• Minimal recovery
• Numbing often not needed
• Better for rosacea, spider veins, and pigmentation concerns

Fraxel

• Laser-based
• Calibrated to a particular wavelength based on the treatment
• Fractionated technology leaves undamaged skin around the treated skin
• Best for treating wrinkles and aging
• Takes around sixty minutes
• Fewer sessions (often years apart)
• May need some recovery
• More likely to need numbing
• Better for major sun damage and aging concerns

Patients who are good candidates for one procedure are often a good candidate for the other. However, it ultimately comes down to what you are hoping to treat. Some people may be able to undergo both procedures. Your master esthetician can help you determine the right treatment for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does A Photofacial Hurt?

A photofacial should cause some discomfort. If it does not, you are unlikely to see the several benefits of the treatment. With that said, it also is not an overly painful treatment for most people. The photofacial process is often described as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Some people may also feel a slight burning sensation.

While numbing cream or similar topical anesthetics are not usually applied before treatment, our master estheticians do have it on hand if necessary. The ultrasound gel used during the treatment also helps soothe and cool the skin during treatment.

Are IPL Photofacials Safe?

Yes, when performed on patients who are good candidates, IPL photofacials are perfectly safe. There are some associated risks, though these are generally low. It is also not a surgical procedure, so it comes with fewer risks than a surgical laser resurfacing procedure. Your master esthetician can also perform a laser patch test to ensure your skin does not have an adverse reaction.

Can You Wear Makeup After Treatment?

Yes, however, you should do your best to avoid makeup for about the first twenty-four hours. Certain tinted moisturizers or sunscreens are often fine. Though, it is best to check with your master esthetician about what is safe to wear following a photofacial.

Our master estheticians will usually recommend not applying makeup if possible. Though, if you need to, it is usually okay, but try to avoid wearing too much. Eye makeup—since the eyes are not treated—typically causes no problems.

How Many Photofacials Will I Need?

The number of photofacials needed to achieve the results you want depends on your goals and the condition of your skin. Additionally, the reaction your skin has after your first treatment can also impact the number of treatments necessary. Most of the time, our master estheticians will recommend a package of three treatments because this provides the best results.

Some people with more extensive sun damage or conditions may need more than three treatments. Also, often, patients will benefit from occasional maintenance treatments, usually about once or twice a year. 

When Will I See Results?

Immediately following a photofacial in Bellevue, the treated discoloration often darkens. However, this is temporary and expected. Over the next couple of weeks, the discoloration will slowly fade. For some, one treatment may make a significant difference, this is especially true for spider veins and similar conditions.

Rosacea does tend to take more sessions since it cannot be “cured”. While an IPL photofacial does reduce overall redness, it does not permanently stop rosacea from forming or flaring up. This is why maintenance treatments are often recommended.

What Is The Cost Of A Photofacial In Bellevue?

The cost of a photofacial t in Bellevue depends on your specific needs and treatment. We offer both single treatments and packages. By default, pricing is for the full face with the option to add on other areas. The starting IPL photofacial pricing is as follows:

• Single Treatment (Full Face): $399
• Package of 3 (Full Face): $1,050

• Neck or Decollete Add-On: $399 per session

• Arms: $1,000
• Hands (Single Session): $299
• Hands (3 Sessions): $600

Northwest Face & Body does work with outside financing sources including Care Credit. To learn more about financing options and find direct links to apply, visit our financing page. You can also find our full suite of services and pricing on our price list. Then, you can use Price Simulator to add up the projected cost of all the procedures you are interested in.

Top Rated Photofacials At Northwest Face & Body

Northwest Face & Body is a leading plastic surgery practice and medical spa located on the shores of Lake Washington. Perfectly situated minutes from downtown Bellevue, Northwest Face & Body’s convenient location serves patients from all around the Eastside, Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With a thirty-year history of performing only the highest quality aesthetic treatments, Northwest Face & Body provides the best photofacial Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Our master estheticians have years of experience and expertise in medically based aesthetic treatments such as photofacials. Along with IPL and lasers, our master estheticians perform VI Peels, microneedling, carbon laser peels, and oxygen facials. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with a master esthetician, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.