Complexion Perfection

by Dara • Wednesday, June 20, 2007 • No comments

It may have been cool to look like the Coppertone girl when we were eighteen, but now we know better than to bask in the sun George Hamilton-style. Years of tanorexia eventually take their toll (read: pre-mature wrinkling and age spots) and you have to accept your penance. While you can’t turn back the clock, you can repair any damage that’s been done, thanks to Intense Pulse Light (IPL).

A virtually painless in-office procedure that’s ideal for girls on the go, IPL (a.k.a. Photorejuvenation) produces younger, smoother-looking skin on the face, neck and chest, without the downtime or scarring from going under the knife. Created by Board-certified dermatologist, Patrick Bitter Jr. MD as a non-invasive method of improving the surface of the skin, IPL has since been a savior not only for people with fine lines, but also for those plagued by rosacea (serious facial redness and flushing), stretch marks, cellulite, broken capillaries and blotchy pigmentation. IPL’s ground-breaking laser technology works by zapping the damaged superficial layers of the skin and rebuilding the collagen, which promotes a more youthful, less prune-y-looking appearance over time.

Ready to put yourself on the program? Book an IPL consultation with a trained dermatologist who will customize a plan that’s right for you. Each 20-minute session (expect up to six, over three-week intervals) begins with a cooling gel to soothe the burning sensation, followed by a series of pulses of red light that feel like the snapping of a small rubber band. Finish off by applying a cold compress to the treated area for just a few minutes and out the door you go.

Beauty junkies beware: picture-perfect skin doesn’t come without a cost. Each IPL treatment ranges from $500 per session. And since the results aren’t permanent, you’ll need to budget for annual touch-ups.

To find an IPL specialist near you, visit skinandhealth.com or call 1-877-Lumenis.