Dallas Associated Dermatologists

WestDerm

Get Your Skin Road Trip Ready with Our Tips 🚙

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Summertime road trips are in full swing, and there’s nothing quite as liberating as the feeling of hitting the open road. But the cool wind blowing on your skin and the warm sun on your face needs to be balanced with extra protection and hydration. So follow these tips to get your skin ready for a road trip and keep it glowing for those selfies along the way.  
 
Maintain Your Skincare Routine
Keep your skincare routine consistent on your road trip. Stick to your familiar products. Now is not the time to buy something different just because it comes in a cute travel size. Instead, ensure you don’t get an unexpected reaction and keep your skin break-out-free by packing what you’re already using. 
 
Get Creative With Containers
If space is limited and you don’t want to haul full-size products, buy tiny travel-sized bottles and transfer your product into them. You can even get creative and make your travel-size containers from everyday household objects. For example, ziplock bags are a great way to store makeup remover wipes. Likewise, a clean contact lens holder can double as a moisturizer container. 
 
Remember The Essentials
Don’t Pack Retinol 
Retinols can make your skin extra sensitive to sun damage. Riding in a sunny car for hours means more sun exposure than usual, so keep it off your packing list. Also, remember to pause retinol use before your road trip to avoid redness and irritation.
 
Prepare for Emergencies
Despite the best-laid plans, sometimes things go awry on road trips. Bees sting. Bugs bite. Feet blister. So remember to pack emergency products that can bring you some relief in case the worst happens. Products to relieve insect bites and antibacterial ointments are rarely needed. But, when they are, it’s a relief to have them on hand. The same goes for sunburns. We all expect to protect our skin, but sometimes we miss a spot or forget to reapply sunscreen, and well, burns happen. Pack sunburn care just in case you need it.
 
Water, Water Everywhere
Drinking a lot of water is one of the best things you can do to hydrate your skin from the inside out. Water keeps your skin, body, and mind functioning at their best. So stick with water to keep your mind alert on the road and your skin hydrated. Also, you’ll want to rethink caffeine which can dehydrate you and can make you feel tired.
 
Reapply Sunscreen
You’re still exposed to UV rays inside a car, so you need to protect the skin on your face and body. And don’t forget those bare toes propped up on the dashboard—they need sunscreen, too. Be sure to apply sunscreen before your road trip starts. You can set the alarm on your phone to remember to reapply it throughout the drive.
 
Go Beyond Sunscreen
Wear a hat and sunglasses to prevent eye strain and squinting—and the fine lines it can cause around the eye area—while you drive. Improve the sun protection on your arms by slipping on a loose long-sleeve shirt in a thin, breathable fabric like cotton or linen. 
 
After The Trip
Continue your skincare routine when your road trip is over and you’re back home. Go ahead and enjoy some of those products you didn’t have space for in your luggage. Dive into exfoliating or soothe your skin with a hydrating mask. And as always, if you have any questions about any of these tips or want more personalized advice, Reach out for an appointment!

The Difference Between Male & Female Acne

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When most people think about acne, they often first associate it with puberty but this is not always the case. Many adults are still affected by acne well beyond the teenage years (about 50 million Americans), and the experience is different for both men and women from various factors. 
MALE ACNE
For men with acne, hormone levels are usually the main trigger. Men produce more of the hormone testosterone than women, which results in thick and oily skin. The production of sebum, or oil, is also higher in males because their sebaceous glands are more active (from the testosterone), which can lead to clogged pores, causing breakouts. Lastly, while those beards may look cool, facial hair can trap oil and act as a breeding ground for the bacteria that exacerbates pimples and acne.
In addition to the face and neck, men are more susceptible to acne on the chest, back, upper arms, and shoulders. Sweating may increase the severity, especially during the warmer months and after exercising, especially from wearing nylon fabrics.
Finally, the addition of supplements to enhance muscle growth may also promote and enhance underlying acne.
FEMALE ACNE
According to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 22% of adult women are affected by acne, compared to less than 5% of adult men. Like men, female acne is the result of too much oil being produced by the skin, which results in clogged pores = breakouts. This may be attributed to estrogen and progesterone hormone fluctuations, especially just before the menstrual cycle..
Unlike men, women’s hormone levels become disrupted when birth control pills are taken, during the menstrual cycle, and menopause. The fluctuations can cause increased oil production in the pore. “14 – 50 year old women can get a deeper type of acne around the face and neck, that mostly spares the nose, chest and back” said Dr. Brook Brouha, West Derm board-certified dermatologist. “The unique hormonal influences make it a different disease entirely and you need to have the right game plan in order to treat it,” said Brouha. 
So what do you do when you want to slow down and prevent these breakouts from happening?
How to Treat:
Face acne: keep that face oil at bay by making sure to wash your face twice a day with an acne face wash, preferably one with salicylic or glycolic acid. Your skin needs to stay hydrated, not dry, in order to stay in balance and prevent breakouts so follow with a moisturizer that works best with your skin type.
For men, be careful when you shave around acne blemishes and make sure not to shave off the tops of pimples because this can irritate the skin and make it worse.
Back (bacne) / Body acne: nobody wants an army of angry pimples on their back or body. Make sure you are showering daily with an antibacterial soap and exfoliating to slough off all dead skin cells and unclog pores. You can also use over-the-counter spot treatments that have salicylic acid in them for those extra pesky zits. 
Female Acne: “Classic acne regimes are more effective for adolescent style chest, back and face acne and tend to be largely ineffective for this unique acne,” said Brouha. “At times, we recommend an oral treatment with isotretinoin, especially if your acne is severe.”
The most advanced treatment for acne is photodynamic therapy. This procedure is presently being investigated in a clinical study and is utilized in some of our clinics.
Acne affects us all at some point during our lifetimes. The level of severity is different amongst every person but just know we are always here to help! If you are not seeing results with any of the above treatment options or have any questions about your acne, schedule an in-clinic or TeleDerm appointment with one of our West Dermatology dermatologists today!

Summer is Here! Time to Transition your Skincare Routine 😎

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Summer is finally here and with it the smell of freshly cut grass, backyard barbecues, and sunscreen lotion. We’ve transitioned into a new season with its own skincare rules. They revolve around the sun and, protecting us from its UV rays. Summer puts extra stress on our skin, and using sunscreen with a high SPF is essential. 
 
Here are our favorite tips for getting you summer skincare ready.
 
Slip, Slap, Slop, and Wrap!
According to the American Cancer Society, we’re most protected from the sun’s harmful rays when we layer several types of protection. So, slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, slop on sunscreen and wrap on sunglasses. These all work together to supplement the protection we get from sunscreen, which is often not enough on its own.  
 
Remember The Two-Hour Rule
We all need to be extra careful about reapplying sunscreen every two hours. Clearly, if you’re spending most of the day indoors, this isn’t necessary. But for those days where you’ll be outside all day, reapply sunscreen every two hours and even more frequently if you’re doing a lot of sweating or swimming.
 
Lips need protection, too, so look for balms with SPF. This may seem extreme, but surprisingly, most cancers on the face occur on the lips. This sensitive skin is susceptible to sun damage, just like the rest of our faces.
 
Hydrate
The summer heat can zap the water our body needs for plump, youthful-looking skin. Remember to drink at least eight glasses of liquid each day (soda and other sugary drinks don’t count). You might need more than eight cups of water, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. You can also hydrate with sweet fruits like oranges and melons that are dripping with skin-quenching water. The same goes for many vegetables, including cucumbers. They have an amazing water content of 90%.
 
Switch to a Serum
The heavy moisturizers of winter gave way to the oil-free moisturizers of spring. And now that summer’s here, a silky serum might be all the hydration your skin needs. This gem from SkinCeuticals, the C E Ferulic Vitamin C serum, undos new damage from lazy days in the sun. A serum helps not just moisturize but also nourish your sun-exposed skin.
 
Retinoid Can Take a Summer Break
Summer’s the time to relax your retinoid use because it can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. This also applies to alpha and beta hydroxy acids. If you still want to use these products, limit your sun exposure, use less than usual, or switch to every other day or less. You can ramp up your usage again during the shady days of fall and winter. 
 
Prepare for Events
Now’s the time to renew our friendships and our Botox and lip filler injections, too. We all want to glow during the summer weddings, galas, soirees, and other big events of the season. Botox injections are a quick, effective way to relax away crow’s feet and worry lines and reveal a more youthful, refreshed look for summer. Fillers can accentuate our precious pouts, which many of us are excited to show off this summer. Ready to book your Botox or filler appointment? Click here.
 
Whether you’re out and about enjoying the summer weather, or inside taking a much needed break and relaxation, don’t let your skincare fall by the wayside. If you have any questions, schedule your appointment now. We are here to help!

Get to Know our Aesthetician, Rachelle Pons!

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Get to Know Rachelle Pons, Licensed Aesthetician….
 
“invest in your skin. Its’ going to represent you for a very long time!”
 
Rachelle Pons is the newest addition to our team at West Dermatology. She comes to us after successfully completing an Associates of Arts Degree in Beauty Industry Merchandising and Marketing from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchanting in Los Angeles, California, and completing her Esthetic Licensing from Golden West College and Cosmetology License from Fullerton College. Rachelle is also working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications and is expected to graduate in 2021.
 
Skincare has always been a passion for Rachelle, and she has a lengthy background working closely with aesthetics. She believes that a person’s skin can be a source of health and confidence. In her experience, she has learned that once a person sees their skincare results come to fruition, they radiate more confidence, and that spreads to other parts of their life, too.
 
Rachelle loves working with people and seeing their transformation over time. She approaches skincare with passion and tenacity and wholeheartedly believes that building a relationship with patients helps you better communicate with one another. She is a solutions-driven provider who takes the time to listen to each person and learn their goals to best identify the solution moving forward. She sees each patient as a unique person with individual concerns and goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare, and Rachelle is willing to take the time to create a customized solution for each person.
 
Rachelle is especially excited to be part of the West Dermatology team because she loves to stay busy and is excited to work with many different people. She looks forward to meeting new patients and helping them on their skincare journey.
 
WHAT SERVICES DOES SHE OFFER?
She offers a variety of aesthetics services including chemical peels,  enzyme peels, acne surgeries, facials, back facials, Photodynamic Therapy, solutions for milia, extractions, derma-planing, hyfercation and microdermabrasion.
READY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH RACHELLE PONS?
Schedule an appointment with Rachelle at either our Rancho Santa Margarita or Newport Beach locations to get started on your path to better-looking and healthier skin!

Father’s Day Gift Guide 🎁

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June is an important month, not only is it Men’s Health Month, it’s also time to celebrate all the dads we know and love out there with Father’s Day.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for your Dad, make his day special and help him maintain his skin health with one of these products from our Father’s Day Gift Guide. All can be found on our very own online skincare shop and can be shipped straight to your front door in time for June 20th.
Featured Products for Men
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
This thick, rich foam gently cleanses leaving your skin feeling clean and balanced.
Click HERE to SHOP NOW.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Serum
our award-winning Vitamin C serum, proven to enhance skin radiance and protect against free radicals.
Click HERE to SHOP NOW.
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Sunscreen
with DNA Repairsomes. This is a great broad-spectrum light-weight sunscreen for all day use, every day.
Click HERE to SHOP NOW.
Nutrafol Men Propack
this 3-month supply improves hair growth to visibly promote thickness and scalp coverage, by targeting root causes of thinning hair.
Click HERE to SHOP NOW.
Give the Gift of a Skin Check
With June being Men’s Health Month, we are encouraging early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Give the gift of a skin check this year!
Click HERE to BOOK NOW!
Celebrating all the dads!
If you have any questions about any of the products we have recommended above, be sure to drop is a line or give us a call today. We would be more than happy to help you put together the perfect gift for your dad!

Celebrate No Fry Day with Sunscreen 🔆

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Every Friday before Memorial Day, we celebrate National Don’t Fry Day to continue raising awareness of the importance of sun damage prevention and wearing sunscreen. If you still haven’t booked your annual skin check, you can book here.
 
As summer approaches and you start spending more time outside, you’ll probably want to start keeping a tube of sunscreen or one of the newer sunscreen powders handy. If you pop into any convenience store, you’re likely to see at least a half-dozen sunscreen brands. While the ubiquity of sunscreen makes it easy to stay sun-safe, the variety of options makes it hard to choose. That’s where WE come in!
With so many sunscreen options out there, we want to make it easier for you to find one that works for you and helps you avoid getting ‘fried’ in the sun.
 
First things first: There are two main types of sunscreen. 
1)   Physical sunscreens use minerals that sit on top of skin. They deflect sunlight with the active ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The old versions used to feel thick and sometimes leave a white cast on the skin. Newer versions of microniadized zinc and titanium feel great, are not thick and do not leave a white sheen on your skin.
Ideal for: all skin types.
2)   Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb into the skin in about 15 – 30 mins and transform UV rays into heat making them less harmful. Chemical options tend to be more water and sweat resistant so these are great for those with active lifestyles.
 
At this point, you may be wondering: Which brand is the best? We’re glad you asked! Here are some of our top picks:
 
> For your face
West Dermatology Antioxidant Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50, a fast-absorbing sunscreen that feels smooth on the skin. It absorbs quickly, layers well under makeup and doesn’t smell like SPF.
Click here to shop now.
 
> For the body
EltaMD UV Lotion Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ Body Sunscreen offers antioxidant protection that combats skin-aging free radicals associated with UV rays. It glides on and provides moisture to the entire body.
Click here to shop now.
 
> For on-the-go
grab an ISDIN Mineral Brush, your solution to reapplying SPF at 2 p.m. without messing up your mascara.
Click here to shop now.
 
Whichever sunscreen you choose, remember to use it in conjunction with other sun-safety measures, like wearing protective clothing and scheduling an annual skin check with one of our board-certified dermatologists. As always, get in touch with us if you have any questions. We hope you get outside and enjoy healthy, comfortable skin all summer long!

CDC Healthcare Setting Mask Reminder 😷📰

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At West Dermatology and our Family of Dermatology Practices, the health & safety of our patients and staff are always our top priority. We continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for healthcare settings and implement procedures to adhere to such guidelines.
The CDC’s recently released new masking recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals no longer require vaccinated people to wear a mask or physically distance. However, as explicitly stated by the CDC, these new recommendations are NOT intended for healthcare settings.
While we can’t wait to see your smiling faces when visiting our clinics, because we are a “healthcare setting,” it’s important to note that:
  • All staff, patients, and visitors must continue to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status.
  • We will continue to follow the full infection control procedures required by the CDC for healthcare settings. This includes the use of masks, social distancing, enhanced infection prevention, and monitoring and screening staff, patients, and visitors (health survey and temp checks).
It is our commitment and obligation to provide a healthy and safe environment for each of our patients, staff, and visitors, regardless of individual risk level, vaccination status, or specific health condition. Please wear a mask and follow infection control procedures during your visit. It protects you, your loved ones, our staff, and other patients needing skin healthcare services.
We thank you for your commitment and continued trust in us as your dermatologic healthcare provider.
In good health,
Your Trusted Dermatology Team

Check & Protect…with Sunscreen!🧴

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One of the most important pieces our Check+Protect reminders is none other than: Please wear sunscreen!
 
The temperature is warming up, and with so much beautiful sunshine, it’s only natural that you’ll be outside enjoying yourself! While it’s a great time of year to enjoy time outdoors, don’t let your skincare take a backseat. Now more than ever, you should prioritize your at-home skincare routine (sunscreen included!) so that your skin remains healthy. 
 
One of the best ways to protect your skin from damage or exposure to harmful UV rays is to slather on sunscreen. This can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. Plus, you have peace of mind that you won’t get sunburned – ouch!. 
 
Did you know that wearing sunscreen with at least 15 SPF can actually reduce your risk of carcinoma by 40% and reduce your risk of melanoma by 50%? Yes, wearing sunscreen is THAT important. Some people simply don’t know just how much it can really save your skin and protect you from skin cancer. 
 
Some other things you may not know about sunscreen application:
·      You should still wear sunscreen even if you’re indoors. Why? Because harmful UVA and UVB rays can still penetrate your skin via windows. Plus, you’re likely to step outside at least once in a while, so you don’t want to forget to apply sunscreen simply because you may spend most of your day indoors.
·      Don’t forget to reapply! If you’re outside, you should remember to reapply your sunscreen at least every two hours to ensure that you haven’t sweat it off. 
 
But wait–what type of sunscreen should you wear? The truth is, the type of sunscreen you choose should be appropriate for your skin type. Here’s a brief breakdown of the best sunscreens we offer that are suited for certain skin types:
 
·      Normal skin: Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Sunscreen
 
Not sure what type of skin you have? Not to worry, we can help with that too! When you schedule your next skin check appointment with us, we can help identify which products are best for your skin. 
 
And the best news we’ve been saving for last: Throughout the entire month of May, our sunscreen is on sale for 20% off! Just use SUNSCREEN20 at checkout on our online store. Stock up now to protect your skin and save money. Don’t wait–this deal doesn’t last forever, and you want to be sure that your skin is protected to the max. 

Six Delish Foods for Healthy Skin 🥑

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We get it; you’re tired of hearing about healthy eating. You know you should care because it’s good for your skin, but what you really want is flavor—juicy, dripping, oozing yumminess. Is this too much to ask? Not at all! We know the most delicious foods for alluring skin (including chocolate). Let’s celebrate World Heath Day together by eating our way to attractive skin. We promise to recommend only scrumptious foods.
 
1) Go Nuts with Almonds
The meatiness of almonds with their crunchy, substantial flavor is so enticing it’s hard to stop with just one small handful. But that’s all you need to get the health benefits of this skin-boosting food. Not only are they loaded with flavor, but they’re also rich in vitamin E. This antioxidant protects your skin against inflammation and UV damage.
 
2) Spice it Up with Cinnamon
There’s nothing like the fragrant, spicy goodness of cinnamon to wake up your senses in the morning. Add it to your hot cereal, or sprinkle it on warm toast or coffee for a satisfying treat for your taste buds. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in cinnamon will make your skin glow.
3) Eat Tall, Dark, and Chocolate
As we wrote about in our Valentine’s Day blog post, dark chocolate is not only decadent eating; it has fringe benefits for your skin. “Antioxidants help the skin fight free radicals, and with free radicals at bay, you’re less likely to develop fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.” This good news makes us dream of chocolate factories and want to burst out singing, “I’ve got a golden ticket.” 
4) Ole for Guacamole
Why wait for Super Bowl Sunday to slurp this superfood? Dip into the benefits of guacamole all year round. This antioxidant-rich food will make your taste buds sing—the tomato and garlic punch up the creamy avocado flavor, and juice gives it that zippy tang. And all of these ingredients are packed with the skin-helping vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids you need for radiate health. That’s why guacamole sits pretty at the intersection of healthy and yummy.
 
5) Grab some Grapes
Eat red grapes straight from the fridge for a burst of cool, juicy sweetness. This superfood works wonders on your skin from the inside out. Brimming with good-for-skin nutrients like antioxidants, grapes will stimulate collagen production and protect your skin. It’s a win-win!
 
6) Get to the “Root” of Good Skin Health
Vitamin A supports skin health, and just one sweet potato exceeds your recommended daily allowance. They also contain a natural sunscreen, beta carotene, that can help protect your skin. Eating them is a ticket to beautiful skin. But don’t eat them all. They’re also great to apply topically. So next time you cook, save some for this sweet potato face mask.
Healthy food can lead to healthy skin, but only if you eat it regularly. You’ve heard people say the best exercise is the one you’ll actually do. The same adage applies to eating. The best skin-healthy food is the one you’ll actually eat. So, what’s it for you? Is it dark chocolate, cinnamon, almonds, grapes, sweet potatoes, or guacamole? Find what appeals to you and glow for it. Have any questions about anything written here? Call us today or schedule your appointment now.

Why Everyone Needs an IPL Photofacial

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*Content provided by our sister practice Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
As warmer weather waltzes in, there’s no better time to revamp your skin for a fresh, healthy look. Spring is the season for renewal, and one versatile cosmetic skin treatment that will refresh your appearance is the IPL photofacial. This procedure helps people of all ages not only achieve better skin tone and texture, but also helps alleviate the symptoms of some skin conditions such as rosacea and melasma.
At West Dermatology, we offer a comprehensive variety of 50+ laser, light, and energy treatments including our most popular IPL photofacial device Lumenis M22 Stellar to suit our patients’ unique skincare needs. Dr. Mitchel Goldman, our Medical Director, pioneered the field of IPL. He has published dozens of medical papers, including a review with colleagues regarding his early experiences with IPL and the development of its use over time. (Almukhtar R, Emily Carr E, Goldman MP: Intense Pulsed Light: The Early Years. Dermatological Reviews 2020;1-10) We are proud to share our research findings with you and offer this skin rejuvenating treatment at our San Diego medical spa.
Based on the review mentioned above, IPL is clearly an effective treatment modality for a wide range of dermatologic lesions, from pigmented to vascular and inflammatory lesions. The flexibility of IPL’s wavelength also allows for it to treat a variety of skin conditions. And in addition to the team’s constant investigative pursuits of IPL, we also have more experience performing IPL treatments than any other practice in the world.
What Can IPL Do For You?
If you enjoy being out in the sun but don’t enjoy the spots or lined and leathery appearance it’s caused, IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, can effectively treat sun damage (age spots), other signs of aging, as well as pigmentation issues and other dermatologic diseases just in time for spring.
The review authored by Dr. Goldman, Dr. Rawaa Almukhtar, and Dr. Emily Carr highlights the safety, efficacy, and versatility of IPL, which can treat the following issues:
  • Lentiginous disease
  • Melasma
  • Poikiloderma of Civatte
  • Acne Vulgaris
  • Rosacea
  • Vascular lesions
  • Pre-malignant and malignant lesions
  • Hypertrophic scars and keloids
  • Sebaceous gland hyperplasia
How Does IPL Work?
Now that you’re ready to get that healthy, younger looking skin this spring, it is good to first understand how IPL works and why it is effective.
The published review explains that IPL utilizes light with a broad spectrum of wavelengths (ranging between 400 and 1200 nm), which allows the device to target melanin within the skin. With the device’s cooling system, IPL can safely penetrate down to the dermis (second layer of your skin) without damaging the epidermis (top layer). Pigment in the skin then absorbs the light energy, heating the photodamaged cells in the skin and breaking them down. The body then naturally removes the damaged tissue and unwanted pigment, helping you achieve a more even skin tone. 
Some IPL devices have a single pulse, whereas our Lumenis IPLs have multiple sequential pulsing. Furthermore, some devices will vary depending on the pulse duration, the energy fluence, or both in each pulse. Other variables include the size of the delivered light, power outputs, and cooling system, meaning that not all IPLs are the same. The devices available at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology are some of the most powerful IPL machines available today, offering superior results for our patients no matter what their skin concerns might be. 
Pigment Issues IPL Can Treat for Your Spring Refresh
  • Lentiginous disease – a variant of melanoma found on sun-damaged skin. IPL has been shown effective in treating pigmented lesions, particularly lentigines and ephelides on the face and body after an average of 3-5 treatments. 
  • Melasma – a common pigmentation disorder. IPL can lead to an improvement in patients with melasma in conjunction with topical therapy.
  • Poikiloderma of Civatte – chronic discoloration commonly seen on the neck. Results of a study report a significant reduction in vascular, pigmented, and atrophic skin changes in 81%-82% of patients after 3-5 IPL sessions.
Other Concerns IPL Can Address
  • Acne vulgaris – occurs when hair follicles are blocked with dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil (sebum). The blocked follicles cause pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts. Several studies explored IPL as a treatment option for acne vulgaris or as an activator of PDT (photodynamic therapy). The study showed a significant reduction in the surface area of the sebaceous gland following IPL treatment. IPL also has anti‐inflammatory effects, with acne patients showing a reduction of both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions. 
  • Rosacea â€“ a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and bumps on the face. IPL effectively reduces blood flow, telangiectasia, and severity of erythema in individuals with rosacea, with efficacy equal to that of PDL (pulsed-dye laser). Typical reported improvement was 50%.
  • Vascular lesions – consist of telangiectasias, hemangiomas, and port-wine stains. These are the easiest conditions to treat with most going away quicker and with less bruising than with a pulse dye laser treatment. 
  • Premalignant and malignant lesions – Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common pre-cancer that forms on sun-damaged skin. Several studies investigated the use of IPL as an activator of photosensitizing agents for PDT of AK. Results suggest IPL alone may be effective in the treatment of AK, but it is enhanced by the addition of a photosensitizer. IPL with photodynamic therapy also shows promising results for the treatment of superficial BCC (basal cell carcinoma) and Bowen’s disease.
  • Hypertrophic scars – A hypertrophic scar is a thick, raised scar that does not extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound, while keloids are enlarged scars that grow bigger and wider than the original injury. One study demonstrated a 50% improvement in all hyperpigmented, erythematous, and proliferative scars treated with IPL after a mean of 2.97 sessions.

Low Risk, Multiple Benefits
We understand that renewing your skin this spring and achieving that coveted glow shouldn’t come with a dangerous price. The good news is that studies have found IPL to be well-tolerated for most patients. Minimal side effects include mild discomfort, erythema, purpura, edema, blistering, and crusting. These issues typically resolve within 48 hours, although some patients find they can persist for up to one week. Post treatment hyperpigmentation and hyperpigmentation are also possible very rare adverse effects of IPL. 
In addition to its low risk, benefits of IPL include:
  • Quick and effective – each session typically lasts 5-15 minutes
  • Appropriate for all skin types
  • Minimal discomfort – since dermatologists use a cooling gel and cold air during treatment, most patients report minimal pain
  • Long-term results – the better you care for your skin, the longer the results will last. Many of our patients have seen their results last for several years, coming in every year to touch up age spots or to simply rejuvenate their skin.
  • Ability to combine with other treatments – for a more comprehensive skin transformation this spring, IPL can be done in conjunction with other treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, injectables, Botox® Cosmetic, and Ultherapy.
To schedule your IPL Photofacial, request your appointment here: https://www.westdermatology.com/request-appointment