Photofacial, IPL, Laser Genesis

The most powerful Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device on the market, Photofacials works to safely treat skin conditions associated with aging and sun damage, including brown spots, redness, and pigment irregularities.

At FACET Dermatology in Toronto, our qualified medical aesthetician can perform photofacial treatments to enhance the health and beauty of skin on the face and body non-surgically and without extended downtime.

BroadBand Light uses high-intensity light energy to treat skin conditions like signs of aging (such as fine lines and wrinkles), broken blood vessels and small facial veins, pigmented lesions, and more. It is a non-invasive procedure with little discomfort or downtime.

Photofacial treatments use short blasts of intense light to gently heat the upper layers of the skin. The heat is absorbed by the treated areas, triggering collagen production within the deeper layers of the skin. New collagen will promote skin elasticity and cellular turnover, improving a broad range of skin concerns. Collagen production leads to firmer skin, which helps smooth the skin's surface to improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring. Cellular turnover promotes faster exfoliation, leading to the correction of pigmentation concerns like unwanted freckles and age spots. At FACET Dermatology, we often combine BBL with light-activated medications for advanced anti-aging treatment.

In addition to treating those aesthetic concerns, photofacials can treat facial redness caused by rosacea, broken capillaries, or spider veins; the heat created by the BBL device helps your body to absorb and metabolize the broken blood vessels. As you heal, the redness will fade, revealing a more even skin tone. That heat also helps kill off acne-causing bacteria, fading away breakouts and creating a smoother texture and clearer complexion.

It's actually possible to safely treat most skin with photofacials. However, the most common treatment areas include the face, neck, chest, and hands — the most visible areas of the body.

BBL treatment is an extremely safe skin care treatment when performed by a highly trained and experienced practitioner. Most patients at Skin Science Dermatology describe a sensation similar to the snapping of a rubber band during the treatment, though it is normally well-tolerated. The skin may also feel warm during the procedure. A topical cold gel and integrated cooling from the BBL device are used throughout the anti-aging treatment to minimize discomfort and increase patient safety.

Results may be noticeable after just one BBL treatment, though a series of four to six treatments performed at four-week intervals may be recommended for optimal results. How many treatments you need will depend entirely on the treatment area and the severity of the skin conditions being treated. Over time, as underlying and newly-accrued damaged skin emerges, Dr. Yadav may suggest additional treatments to maintain your new baseline.

Photofacials are an effective, non-surgical solution for men and women who want to treat sun spots, vascular issues, and pigment irregularities anywhere on the body (including the face, neck, and chest) that have not improved with the use of high-quality skin care formulas. Patients seeking photofacial treatment also benefit from the procedure's minimal downtime.

Photofacials cannot be performed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of photosensitizing disorders, or if you tend to develop hypertrophic scarring or keloids. Patients who are prone to cold sores may want to consider taking antiviral medication ahead of treatment to reduce your risks of triggering a flareup.

Treatment with photofacials is also best for patients with fairer to medium skin tones. Because the procedure heats the skin, there is a risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in darker complexions; a better idea for patients with these skin tones is microneedling, which offers similar results without the same risks. For the same reasons, this treatment should not be performed on recently tanned skin.

We offer additional light-based treatment options at FACET Dermatology, including LINK Excel V+ and Laser Genesis. Your provider can work with you to determine which procedure is best for your unique needs.