Many people have some form of discoloration on their skin. Usually, spots are a result of sun exposure and are seen on visible parts of the body, like the face, the chest, and the arms. Regardless of how well you take care of your skin and how much you use sunscreen once you’ve noticed spots, they are difficult to get rid of. In the past, people turned to laser skin resurfacing. Today, we have numerous options. We discuss two of them here, microneedling and IPL treatments.
Microneedling
The microneedling collagen-induction technique has become very popular in recent years among adults of all ages. This treatment is performed using an automated applicator that has several sterile needle-points. These microneedles can pass through the upper layers of the skin with speed and precision, and with minimal risk of creating tears or injuries, as may happen with manual dermal rolling. The minor breaks in the skin made by the needles stimulate a wound-healing response in which fibroblast cells produce more collagen. The influx of collagen can have several effects on the skin. In addition to reducing discoloration, microneedling can also reduce scarring and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
To get optimal results from microneedling, a series of treatments is needed. The number of treatments a person needs is estimated by evaluating the condition of their skin. Usually, noticeable improvements can be achieved with 3 to 5 treatments followed by occasional touch-ups.
Intense Pulsed Light
This treatment is commonly known as IPL, a form of light therapy that targets melanin and hemoglobin in the dermis. Because a broad spectrum of light enters the dermis, there is also an aspect of collagen induction to this treatment. After IPL treatment, targeted pigment initially becomes dark and then flakes off to reveal smoother, brighter, healthier-looking skin. The level of collagen induction with IPL is not as significant as what occurs with microneedling, so this treatment may not reduce lines and wrinkles well. However, IPL is more effective at correcting discoloration.
We love helping our patients feel great about their skin. If you are ready for your skin to shine, contact our Sonterra or La Casita office for an appointment.
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