Photofacial
A photofacial is one of many procedures offered by Dr. Jao to help patients rejuvenate the skin and remove sun damage. Most commonly, Dr. Jao uses the BBL Broadband light laser – a specialized device that utilizes different wavelengths of light to target hyperpigmentation, aging skin, and to stimulate the growth of collagen. When administered properly, photofacials with a BBL laser can provide dramatic improvements in the appearance of skin, including the fading of red and brown spots and wrinkles caused by damage from UV radiation. Further, skin blemishes, acne scars and even spider veins on the face can be diminished with this laser skin treatment.
One benefit of getting a photofacial at Dr. Jao’s Brea, CA office is that your treatment will be tailored to match your skin’s condition and your desired results. This ensures the least amount of treatments needed to achieve improvement, and allows for long-lasting results.
What Areas Can be Treated With a Photofacial?
Any area of your body can be effectively treated with a photofacial. However, areas of the skin typically exposed to sunlight are the most common to be treated. Often, Dr. Jao’s patients request the photofacial procedure to be performed on the face, hands, as well as shoulders and the chest.
What is the BBL Photofacial Laser?
BBL technology uses different wavelengths of light to target specific skin problems. For example, if you are trying to address sun spots, some wavelengths of light can be effective at breaking down the pigmented areas of the skin to fade the discoloration. If your concern is with wrinkles, then the laser can be set to specific settings that deliver energy deeper into the skin, to stimulate the production of collagen.
The BBL laser technology is highly versatile and Dr. Jao can customize the photofacial to your unique needs. To do this, she will carefully assess your skin, and then select the best laser settings that will deliver light wavelengths to target specific structures within the skin.
What Conditions can be Treated with a Photofacial?
The versatile settings on the BBL photofacial laser provide Dr. Jao with extensive ability to treat a variety of skin conditions caused by sun damage, the natural aging of skin, and decreased elasticity. After several treatment sessions, patients notice that their skin becomes smoother and gains a radiant glow. Some of the skin problems that can be addressed by a photofacial include:
- Shallow wrinkles and fine lines
- Age Spots and Rosacea
- Spider veins on face
- Freckles
- Brown and red spots
- Birth marks
- Port wine stains
- Enlarged pores
- Burn erythema
- Hyperpigmentation
How does the BBL Photofacial Laser Work?
The idea behind photofacials with the BBL laser is to heat up specific skin layers and skin structures with precisely-delivered wavelengths of light. When the treatment absorbs this heat energy, it stimulates certain responses with the skin. For example, some wavelengths will stimulate the production of collagen, to increase skin elasticity. Other wavelengths will break down excessive skin pigment and stimulate the body’s natural responses to remove damaged skin cells. Yet additional wavelength settings can target blood vessels near the surface, to break down spider veins, which are eventually removed by the body’s immune response.
However, keep in mind that photofacials with this laser are not the same thing as laser skin resurfacing. During a resurfacing procedure, the upper layers of the damaged skin are destroyed. In many cases, this causes crusting and peeling of the skin. The photofacials performed by Dr. Jao, on the other hand, focus on stimulating natural processes within the skin.
Photofacial Results
Dr. Jao’s patients typically see noticeable improvements after 2 to 5 treatments. These treatments are meant to have minimal side effects, and with several sessions, patients can see improvements with little or no down time.
However, treatments should be completed at 2-4 week intervals, to give the skin’s natural processes time to do their work. Depending on the severity of your condition, additional sessions may be needed.
Recovery from a Photofacial
A photofacial is a gentle procedure with virtually no down time. It is different from laser skin resurfacing in that the intended purpose is not to outright destroy damaged skin cells, but to simulate collagen production as well as the body’s natural reparative processes. As such, there is no significant crusting or peeling of the skin associated with a photofacial, and you should be able to return to your regular skin care and makeup routine within 24 hours of the procedure.
What Should I Expect After Treatment?
You may experience some redness that will feel similar to a mild sunburn, but will go away in just a few hours. For some pigmented lesions, you will see an initial darkening of the treated areas, followed by fading and flaking off at a later stage.
Although results will depend on the severity of your condition and the number of photofacial treatments you’ve had, most patients experience a decrease in pore size, diminishing of wrinkles, and an overall improvement in skin texture and smoothness.
Does the Photofacial Hurt?
The photofacial is a non-invasive and gentle procedure. Your level of discomfort will depend on the sensitivity of your skin, though most patients easily tolerate this procedure due to skin cooling technologies built into the machine.
What Aftercare Will I Need?
It is important to follow Dr. Jao’s instructions after the photofacial is complete. Depending on the skin condition you are treating, Dr. Jao may give you additional topical medication to promote skin healing and recovery. Most importantly, please keep in mind that your skin will be sensitive to sunlight after the treatment. Therefore, it is vital to stay out of direct sunlight and to wear full spectrum sunscreen protection for a few days after the procedure (actually, you should always wear full spectrum sunblock, but it is especially important after this treatment).
If you’d like to set up a photofacial consultation, please call Dr. Jao at 714-930-1351, or fill out the Contact Form below!