IPL photofacial for face, neck, chest and hands: To reduce brown and red spots with Linda Behla of SkinSpirit

Linda Behla, RN, SkinSpirit Mill Valley

My second IPL procedure was yesterday with Linda Behla from SkinSpirit. During round one we focused mainly on my face and neck, paying close attention to hyperpigmentation (brown spots) from sun damage and aging and also red vascular problems (i.e., pronounced blood vessels) from rosacea on my face.

Yesterday we added my chest (i.e., décolleté) and hands to the mix, totaling 4 areas.

In preparation, I have remained out of the sun, covered or with plenty of SPF 50 sunblock on my skin since I know the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) targets the unwanted discoloration; in other words, my natural skin needs to be a natural (and light) as possible so that the colors stand out the most.

SkinSpirit lobby

SkinSpirit in Mill Valley has a cozy, secluded waiting room. I always look forward to arriving early just to hang out there, drink some of my favorite tea and some fruit-infused water.

The IPL procedure (face, neck, chest, hands):

Linda Behla analyzed my skin before we began treatment #2. The spots on my cheeks looked noticeably lighter to her, as well as the rosacea, but she decided that she wanted to go deeper this round. She was happy with the results from the first round and noticed that pigments are starting to come to the surface (soon to be erased with next IPL treatments).

As done prior to my previous IPL, I prepared the treated areas with topical numbing cream 45 minutes in advance. This helped tremendously with my nervous system and skin’s heat sensitivity from the IPL light.

Linda continued to be as caring and thoughtful of my comfort, while at the same time turning it up a notch for better results. Of course, the goal remains: erase most of the hyperpigmentation (i.e., brown spots) on my face, neck, chest and hands, and also reduce the redness in blood vessels on my face.

I will post photo comparisons as the days progress but here are the pre-IPL #2 photos:

pre-IPL hand

pre-IPL chest décolleté

pre-IPL2 rosacea

pre-IPL2 brown spots

Linda stressed the importance of skincare following my treatment and ongoing. She advised the following regimen for me (starting after inflammation cools):

Each morning:

1. Gentle cleanser
2. TNS Recovery Complex by SkinMedica – human growth factor
3. Phloretin by SkinCeuticals – antioxidant
4. Dermal Repair Cream by SkinMedica – moisturizer
5. SPF 50 – sunblock

Each evening before bed:

1. Gentle cleanser
2. TNS Recovery Complex by SkinMedica – human growth factor
3. Mixture of a) Tretinoin Cream by Obagi – Retin A and b) Blender – skin lightener with hydroquinone
4. Dermal Repair Cream

As needed in the next few days, I have Epidermal Repair by SkinCeuticals for itchiness.

Day 2:

I woke to more pronounced spots on all treated areas, especially my chest. Linda expected this as it’s where I have the most sun damage.

The only other side effect was that my face reacted with extra fluid under my eyes. It only lasted through the morning.

Linda said that this swelling edema under eyes is normal and is because the IPL targeted small tiny red vessels near my eyes.

No heated yoga for me this morning 😦

Days 3-6:

day4 post-IPL chest décolleté

Chest décolleté: I have the most sun damage here. We expect the best final results here. Linda is pleased with how much of the pigments are lifting.

I’ve experienced some very itchy skin for the last few days. I’m sticking strictly to the Epidermal Repair, topical Benadryl and ice. I’m staying out of the heat since this inflames the itch.

Face: Still a little swelling under eyes in the mornings up to day 5. Rosacea reduced significantly. Linda confirmed in person. She has a plan for attacking the brown spots with a higher strength for the next treatment since we are only seeing minor lifting (darker brown but not getting to the “coffee ground” stage).

Neck: Black specks formed on the darker spots and still there. I’ll wait for them to naturally come off.

day6 post-IPL hand

Hands: A few black specks have formed but Linda did mention that it would take longer to see results on my hands.

My skincare regimen: I’ve been following Linda’s advice and using the skin products above on my face, neck and hands (skipping chest for now until the inflammation calms).

I know for the most part that Phloretin is an antioxidant with vitamin C and protects against the sun, Retin A reduces wrinkles and hydroquinoine lightens the skin. But what about the human growth factor?

What is  human growth factor (TNS Recovery Complex by SkinMedica)? I’m all about cell regrowth. Before my IPL, I’d been using a cell stimulating facial mask which includes argan stem cell + chlorella growth factor, which is plant-based. TNS® official ingredient is Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media (a.k.a. adult human stem cells) and is a physiologically balanced, naturally secreted and stabilized combination of multiple natural messenger proteins.

What does that mean exactly? I wrote a previous article in this blog on how adult stem cells are used in plastic surgery and how they are found in all multi-cellular organisms. They are cells that can take on the identity of other cells (analogous to a chameleon regrowing its tail when it falls off), which are then conditioned in sugars and amino acids to grow. The proteins that are secreted from the cells are what goes into the serum.

The purpose of using TNS® is to rejuvenate skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and enhance skin texture and tone. There are many benefits to cell regrowth.

Days 7-9:

Chest décolleté: Today the itching resided. I have noticeable “brown coffee grounds” over a considerable number of spots.

My next appointment is scheduled for 2 weeks from now.

© 2013 R.E.L. Copywriting

New spacious office space for a Dr. Macdonald chemical peel and more

For over a year now, I’ve been on the path to clearing out the hyperpigmentation on my skin. My light, sun-damaged and aged skin has been stubborn. Since my skin is also sensitive, we have had to take the slow path.

Last summer I did 5-series PCA peel through Dr. Macdonald’s office. My results were a better complexion, smoother skin, fine wrinkle line reduction, and less hyperpigmentation.

I wasn’t convinced at that point that I was not capable of going to the next level in hyperpigmentation reduction. To that end, I did the following:

• Sunscreen and hat all year round (even on cloudy days)
• Recognition of my sensitive skin and genetics as seen in my father
• HQRA (Hydroquinone to lighten pimentation & Retinol A to reduce wrinkles)
• Research on PhotoFacial
• Research on 2 Sciton laser applications: skin resurfacing, IPL for sun-damage (available in January 2012 through Dr. Macdonald’s office)
• Vi PEEL™ (12 days) last month

My goal is to make a visible difference in my brown age spots on my face and upper chest area (i.e. decolletage area) and hands so that I a) look younger and b) feel that there is a solution to most of the sun damage from my many years in the sun.

Dr. Macdonald’s new office space at 500 Sutter St, Suite 430 in San Francisco. The new office space is beautiful and is a lot more spacious than the previous office. He has stunning artwork from local artist and photographer, on order–a must see…

Dr. Macdonald and his staff are ready to take on more patients and a new Sciton laser, among other perks. [It’s only a block away so the parking situation is similar.]

PCA Chemical Peel. Since Dr. Macdonald has been working with me on this for over a year, during my recent skin check-up he decided that he wanted to do another PCA peel on me himself (and go a little deeper to make some more progress on the darker pigmented areas, yet pay close attention to my sensitivies).

I had my 1st of 5 PCA peels to my face, neck and chest area (i.e., decolletage). Similar to my previous experiences, I had no irritation in the first 2 days. I am starting to peel today, 48 hours later.

What I like the best this time around is the PCA SKIN® post-procedure solutionwhich includes:

1. PCA SKIN® Facial Wash (very light and absorbant)
2. PCA SKIN® Apres Peel Soothing Balm (with 0.5% hydrocortisone)
3. PCA SKIN® ReBalance (to help inhibit redness and inflammation)
4. PCA SKIN® Silkcoat Balm (for nighttime moisturizing)
5. PCA SKIN® Perfecting Protection SPF 30 (for UV protection)

The products are soothing and restorative to the skin (and have a great scent and light non-greasy after effect).

I will return in 2 weeks for PCA Peel #2 of 5.

Day 2

The skin on my face was a bit tight but I kept the PCA SKIN® products on all day. I had a healthy glow.

Day 3

The skin on my face was tighter and noticeably wrinkly. I continued with the PCA SKIN® products.

In the afternoon, which is 48 hours since the peel, my skin started to peel. It started around my mouth and continued through the day.

Day 4

My neck was itchy but the PCA SKIN® products soothed it tremendously. I had to use the products more often than previous days.

By afternoon my face was peeling in big flakes, and the skin on my chest started to peel partially in flakes, previously splotchy looking skin (as if it had peeled). There was no itching or irritation though.

Day 5

The skin on my face and chest was peeling all day. It was a little itchy. I wore a hat and long sleeves all day (even on hot sunny day).

Day 6

My face was still peeling along hairline. I noticed that the peeling on my chest had stopped yet was still splotchy (i.e., half-peeled). I made a note to have double PCA solution applied next time (hopefully) so that it will all peel off.

Day 7

I was still peeling on my face, neck and chest. I started to use an exfoliant cleanser at this point to continue the peeling (possibly). Next peel in a week.

Amazing new sunscreen by Colorscience®

Pam turned me on to this powder sunscreen by Colorscience®. It’s SPF 50 plus comes in a convenient brush applicator. It contains some skin color, so is much like powdered foundation makeup. I love the easy application and light formula. Thank you, Pam!

© 2011 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.

Beyond the Light PCA Chemical Peel: Remaining spots

Having gone through a 5-series PCA chemical peel, I now know that my skin is in wonderful shape. As stated in my previous post at the end of my 5 series peel, I am happy with all the benefits.

At this point, I have a new wonder.  What would the procedure be to get rid of the brown spots, for someone of my light skin genetics?

I was in Dr. Macdonald’s office recently getting some high resolution pictures to compare the results of my skin before and after the chemical peel.

May 14 pre-chem peel

Oct 12 post-chem peel

Since the peel series ended, I have been using the HQRA product every other night. I have some peeling, but not much. I have been using Ti-Silc sunscreen every day and always a hat while in the sun. My skin cannot possibly be getting any more sunspots at this point.

We still see brown spots on my face. So, despite all of the great cellular rebuilding below the skin, the smooth texture and lighter lines on the surface of the skin, the appearance of spots remains.  I am still glad to have learned all about how my skin has improved as a whole by this process, and to know that the remaining spots are a different issue.

I asked Dr. Macdonald for his advice on the brown spots.  He offered three options:

1. TCA Peel.  It is a deeper peel than the one I did.  It is made of Trichloracetic Acid and is otherwise known as the Obagi Blue Peel.
2. Laser Resurfacing with IPL (a.k.a., PhotoFacial).  This would be a treatment given to the entire face, done gradually in a series.
3. VariLite laser treatment.  This would be a treatment localized to the spots only.  He would use the 532 wavelength setting for spots.  The 940 wavelength would be used for excessive red blood vessels.

In addition to the face, I couldn’t help but ask him about the dark spots on my hands. I wondered would he treat those spots in the same way as the face?

• He would use the VariLite laser treatment on the specific spots at the 532 wavelength.
• It would take about 5 minutes to perform the procedure.

To be continued.. I am thinking about having him zap those spots on my hands with his laser treatment.

I will report back with details on recovery. 🙂

© 2010 R.E.L. Copywriting. All rights reserved.