Lumecca: Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
Lumecca restores skin by removing pigmented and vascular lesions that result from sun damage or age. It is especially effective at reducing the appearance of age spots, freckles, telangiectasias (spider veins), redness, rosacea, and other forms of sun damage or pigmentation irregularities. Lumecca is also a wonderful option to treat wrinkles, lines, scars, and large pores. Lumecca safely harnesses powerful thermal energy from Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to deliver the gold standard in photofacial treatments with minimal discomfort.
The Science
Lumecca treats by a process called selective photothermolysis, which targets specific color in the skin (chromophores) while leaving the surrounding cells untouched. For brown spots the laser targets the melanin in the skin cells that causes the brown pigment in freckles, sun damage and age spots.
For red spots the laser targets the hemoglobin in the cells, such as areas with acne, spider veins, broken capillaries, and rosacea. The light beam passes through the skin, finds the discoloration, and destroys the hemoglobin while leaving the surrounding cells healthy, producing a nice result.
What to Expect
Lumecca utilizes a sapphire cooling tip and a large spot size providing a comfortable, non-invasive, complete photo rejuvenation in less time per session and in half the number of treatments than other IPL devices. Lumecca treatments offer rapid results and are safe on darker skin tones, treating up to a Fitzpatrick 4 skin type. If you don’t know your Fitzpatrick skin type, please click here to access information to assist you with determining your Fitzpatrick skin type number.
Lumecca can repair damage on any part of the body, but the most popular treatment areas are:
- Face
- Neck
- Hands
- Chest / decolletage
- Arms
- Legs
During the consultation, your practitioner will tailor the number of treatments based on your personal objectives to obtain optimal results. The number of treatments will depend on the severity of the skin damage, your skin type, whether you are targeting vascular or pigmented lesions, and the energy settings. You will notice a significant improvement in your complexion and skin clarity after the first session and even better results with multiple treatments. Typically, optimal results can be achieved in just 2-5 sessions.
When treating sun damage, you will see results in a few days following the first session. Within 1-2 weeks you will notice the skin appearing younger and brighter. When treating vascular lesions, it may take up to 2 weeks to see the redness diminish.
During the session a gel is applied to the treatment area to allow the laser to gently glide along the skin. When the Lumecca is pulsed, there will be a bright flash of light and you will feel a sensation on your skin like a light snap with an elastic band.
For treated pigmented lesions you may notice them darkening in the first 1-2 days after treatment. In approximately a week after the treatment the brown spots will flake off your skin, leaving a more even skin tone.
For treated vascular lesions you may notice the vein either blanch and disappear or change color and dissipate a few days after the treatment.
Pre-Treatment
Avoid any tanning 3-4 weeks prior to treatment or use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Topical retinoid therapy should be discontinued 3-4 days prior to treatment. Discontinue any irritant topical agent 2-3 days prior to treatment.
Shave any hair in the treatment area 24 hours prior to treatment.
Post-Treatment
Immediately following the Lumecca treatment, it is common to experience a redness and slight warming of the skin. This will subside within an hour. Apply cold compresses if needed.
Apply moisturizer immediately after the treatment.
Sunscreen should be used for 3 weeks following the treatment and 3 weeks preceding the next session.
Make-up may be applied immediately after a treatment if the skin is intact.