How does pulsed light therapy work?

Accent on Beauty uses the Palomar Starlux Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) machine. This system uses specialized handpieces which filter light from different parts of the spectrum. Each band of the spectrum has a wavelength that is ideal for different treatments, such as hair reduction, sun spot removal, vessel clearance, rosacea, age spots, and improves the skin’s tone and texture.

The hair removal handpiece emits pulses of light into the hair follicles. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the follicles and converted to heat. The heat then loosens the hair and disables the cells responsible for growing new hair.

The photofacial handpiece emits pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment in sunspots and the blood in visible vessels and converted into heat. The heat dissolves the cells that create the pigment and shrinks the vessels.

How is pulsed light different from a laser?

Pulsed light systems and lasers are very similar, but the Palomar Starlux uses a much larger treatment window than most lasers. This spreads the light over a wider area of skin which allows faster coverage and quicker treatments.

What body areas can be treated for hair removal?

Any area except around the eyes. The upper lip, face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, chest and back can be treated.

What body areas can be treated for photofacials?

Any area except around the eyes. The face, neck, chest, arms, back and legs can all be treated.

What are Pulsed Light Treatments Like?

Our IPL technician will move the handpiece over your skin, pulsing it all the while. Each pulse will send a beam of light through your skin. A flashing light, an audible tone and a mild sensation on the skin will tell you when the handpiece is being pulsed.

What should you expect after a treatment?

Immediately after treatment you can expect a mild sunburn-like sensation, possibly accompanied by some minor swelling. This usually lasts 2-24 hours and can be soothed with cold gel or ice packs.

... for hair removal treatments?

• The treated hair will continue to appear for 7-30 days post-treatment. This is not new hair growth, but the treated hairs being expelled from the skin.
• At any given time, some of your hair is not in a phase of active growth. Therefore, you will need more than one treatment to affect the growth of all your unwanted hair.
• Typically, several treatments will be necessary to achieve permanent hair reduction.

... for photofacial treatments?

• Sunspots/sun damage: the sunspots will darken after treatment and be naturally shed from the skin within 1-2 weeks.
• Rosacea: skin tone will be more normal, with less pronounced redness within a week after treatment.
• Spider Veins: vessels may disappear after treatment or they may appear darker and then fully or partially fade within 10-14 days.
• Typically several treatments will be necessary to achieve complete clearance of sunspots, rosacea, and vessels.