Acne is a skin condition that many teenagers have to deal with. However, it’s not only young adults that are affected, as many people also suffer from acne well into their 20s and beyond. It can not only make one self-conscious of their appearance, but it can lead to scarring and ongoing inflammation accompanied by red marks.
What is acne?
Acne caused by the inflammation of the sebaceous glands which cause them to produce too much oil. From there, the skin becomes the ideal environment for certain bacteria to grow, and this is where the appearance of acne, blackheads, scarring and inflammation begins to appear.
While acne is most common on the face, people can also have it on their back, shoulders, neck and chest. It can be painful and uncomfortable as well as causing people to want to cover up the blemishes.
IPL Treatment for acne marks
Thankfully, there is a treatment available for acne, and for the scars it can leave behind.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment uses yellow, green and red light emitted through a series of impulses onto the skin. The yellow and green light acts to kill the bacteria that cause acne and live in the skin, while the red light targets the sebaceous glands, stopping them from producing too much sebum.
IPL treatment is an effective and painless treatment for those wanting to rid their skin of acne scarring.
Receiving IPL treatment
The first thing you’ll do before starting the treatment is put sun protection glasses on. You will then have a special gel applied to your skin. This gel guides the light and helps keep the skin cool. There is no need for anaesthesia as the cooling gel works to calm the skin during the procedure.
Once you are ready to start, the technician will then proceed to use the light applicator on the skin where it will then send a short impulse of light. This will be done as many times as necessary, until the entire area is treated. While the treatment is painless, you may feel a sting for a short period of time.
Once the treatment is completed, the gel will be removed and the skin will be hydrated.
Each treatment can take up to half an hour to complete. The skin may be red or feel hot, but there are a range of professional products you can use to reduce the minor discomfort you may experience.
The number of sessions a person may need will vary. However, usually around six IPL sessions are sufficient to see a marked improvement for most people.
After care
Once your treatment is complete, you will need to follow the technician’s guidelines in order to care for your skin properly. They will also make recommendations including staying out of the sun and using a very high protection sunscreen for two weeks post treatment.
For people still suffering from acne, or have scarring from where they used to have it, IPL is a wonderful, fast and easy solution that offers long term results.