--- title: "Photofacial Treatments in Los Angeles" url: "https://bhskin.com/cosmetic/photofacial/" updated: "2025-11-06" --- # Photofacial Treatments in Los Angeles Photofacial is a great way to boost one's confidence by turning blemished skin into radiant skin. Light therapy treats a wide range of skin imperfections, from skin discoloration to brown aging spots. If you're ready to enhance the skin you're in, then look no further. ## The Go-To Treatment in LA for Many Skin Conditions Photofacial is a great way to boost one’s confidence by turning blemished skin into radiant skin. Light therapy treats a wide range of skin imperfections, from skin discoloration to brown aging spots. If you’re ready to enhance the skin you’re in, then look no further. Visit BHSkin Dermatology to learn how this treatment can give you youthful-looking skin and long-lasting results. ## What is Intense Pulsed Light Treatment? Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, also known as a photofacial, is a non-surgical, non-laser cosmetic procedure that uses light energy to treat various skin conditions: - **Pigmented and Vascular Disorders**: IPL can address issues like age spots, freckles, birthmarks, liver spots, broken blood vessels, and dark spots caused by hormonal changes. It targets the melanin in the skin with light pulses, heating and destroying it to remove discoloration. - **Hair Removal:**IPL can also be used to remove unwanted hair. - **Photoaging:** IPL improves skin texture and reduces fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen and elastic fiber production and cauterizing overactive capillaries. While IPL is generally safe for most people, it should be avoided by pregnant women, those taking blood thinners, or those who have recently used Accutane. It works best on pale or light brown skin. To see improvement, you’ll need a series of treatments, usually spaced a month apart. Each session typically takes about 30 minutes. The number of sessions required depends on the size of the treatment area, but regular follow-up sessions each year are often needed to maintain results. While IPL can be effective, the results are usually temporary, and some studies indicate that the effects may wear off after about nine months. ## What Does Photofacial Treat? Photofacials administered at our Los Angeles clinics treat various skin conditions, as well as patients’ cosmetic concerns. Thousands of women and men are looking for non-invasive ways to help keep their skin glowing and healthy. Therefore, intense pulsed light treatments have increasingly become the go-to treatment for individuals impacted by rosacea or sun damage. But that’s not all. Photofacials also treat people who are dealing with: - Spider veins - Wrinkles - Fine lines - Hyperpigmentation - Large pores - Broken Capillaries - Freckles - Acne scars Our LA photofacials may also be used for other dermatological concerns, given recent advances in technology. Your BHSkin dermatologist can tell you if this is the best treatment for your unique circumstances. ![Example of Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy.](https://bhskin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Photofacial-.jpg) ## Four Amazing Benefits of Photofacial There are many positives associated with photofacial treatments. These four benefits help explain the uptick in the number of patients in the Los Angeles area who are looking for photofacial treatment options. ### #1 No or Limited Side Effects Who doesn’t love a great skincare treatment with little to no side effects? Photofacials often result in only a fraction of the redness and discomfort caused by other techniques. You might have a sunburned look for a few hours but individual results will vary. Overall, most patients have no or limited side effects of the treatment. ### #2 Long-lasting Results Do you want excellent results that get better with time? A photofacial might be your best bet. Multiple treatments can maximize your results and improve the skin you’re in. With proper skincare maintenance, like exfoliation and sunscreen, your results could last a year or more. Your BHSkin Dermatologist will discuss the number of treatments needed to meet your cosmetic goals. ### #3 Quick and Convenient Photofacials with a skilled provider often take only 30 minutes to complete. You can easily fit a photofacial session into your busy scheduling without anyone having to know. Book a [virtual consultation](https://bhskin.com/telederm/) to see if intense pulsed light treatments are the right treatment option for you. ### #4 Limited Recovery Time Most patients experience only minor discomfort from a photofacial. This means that the [photofacial recovery time](https://bhskin.com/blog/photofacial-recovery/) is short and you can quickly return to your job and resume normal daily activities. ## How Does a Photofacial Work? During Photofacial, the medical provider will identify the problem areas of the skin that the IPL laser will be used on. The lights will be focused on these areas and will penetrate (in a non-painful manner), the outer layer of the patient’s skin, the epidermis. The light therapy will generally be targeted at heavily pigmented areas, such as brown spots, and the light will break up the pigments. The broken-down pigments will then be dispersed and absorbed into the patient’s body, resulting in smooth and blemish-free skin. An additional benefit of a photofacial is that it encourages the body to produce more collagen. This collagen will then fill in fine lines and wrinkles, helping create a significantly more youthful appearance. Most patients will have more than one photofacial treatment. The benefits become more obvious as the number of treatments increases. ![Woman receiving dermatological treatment.](https://bhskin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/photofacial-.jpg) ## What to Expect Before, During and After the Treatment **Before your photofacial treatment, you'll want to avoid the sun as much as possible. Your dermatologist may suggest a chemical peel or microdermabrasion to prepare your skin for the best possible results. We'll assess your skin type during your consultation to determine if this is the best method for you. Photofacials are not ideal for all skin types and tones.** ### During The Treatment During a photofacial treatment, a patient will be provided with protective glasses to keep their eyes from the bright flashes of light from the IPL laser. Your dermatologist may apply a cool gel to the treatment area. This gel improves lubrication and also minimizes the redness that you could experience after the treatment. ### After The Treatment Generally, a patient who receives Photofacial will be able to resume their normal activities immediately after treatment. The side effects are almost always minimal. Some patients, however, may experience some redness or bruising after the treatment, and there may be some discomfort depending on the area that was treated. Ideally, after treatment, the patient will see a significant improvement in the problem that brought them to their dermatologist. ### Are There Any Serious Side Effects? The one serious side effect that a patient should watch for is a redness of the skin. However, these skin infections are an extremely unusual complication and generally are only seen in patients with an underlying immune system problem. Because of this, most reputable medical providers in the LA area will not provide photofacial treatments to these patients or those with Type 2 Diabetes.