Photofacial Side Effects

There are so many cosmetics and beauty treatments that promise to make you look younger, beautiful, and fair. Photofacial is one such skin treatment. Though the side effects are well-known, it has become a rage among beauty conscious people. More and more people are visiting photofacial clinics to rejuvenate their skin and appearance. Photofacial is an offshoot of laser treatment, in which the damaged skin is treated with gentle pulsed light. This treatment is known to make your skin youthful, as it cures fine lines, acne, spider veins, pigmentation, scars, and sunburns caused by the harsh UV rays.

Photofacial Treatment
Photofacial treatment uses latest technology fluorescent pulsed light system, that unlike laser, penetrates deep inside the skin. It results in growth of new collagen and connective tissues, that makes your skin smooth and clean. To avail this treatment you need to take an appointment with a professional working in this field. He will first examine your skin and accordingly decide the intensity of light for treating your skin. He will also decide the number of sittings you would require for completing the treatment. You may have to pay frequent visits to the clinic, say every alternate day, across a week. A single sitting of photofacial treatment lasts for about 25-35 minutes. People with moderate skin problems have to go for 5-8 sittings, but if the problem is severe and widespread, then the patient may need more sittings, as prescribed.

Side Effects of Photofacial Treatment
One of the side effects is that the photofacial treatment can be painful, as the pulsed light feels like the hurting snapped rubber band. But the pain withers in some time after the treatment. Photofacial is a good substitute for surgical methods for those, who do not wish to have scars or marks that cosmetic surgery leaves. Photofacial is known to have a proven track record of being safe and successful. And it's effects are considered to be long-lasting. The benefits of photofacial treatment cover the entire spectrum of cosmetic dermatology. This treatment helps in repairing small blood vessels in the facial area, that promotes blood circulation resulting in a glowing skin. Sometimes, doctors may choose to combine this treatment with chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other facial skin treatments to get better results. All the additional treatments work on the outer level of the skin, whereas, photofacial works on the inner level of skin and hence the combined treatments can be performed simultaneously.

Many people overlook the risks associated with photofacial treatment, as the benefits of this treatment outweigh the risks. However, it is good to know the photofacial side effects, that can cause additional facial skin problems.

Short Term Side Effects
Redness: After the photofacial treatment, some people may experience redness on the skin which was exposed to pulsed light. In some cases, the redness can reduce in some time, while in others, it may persist for a couple of days.

Swelling: Some people also complain of swelling in the affected area. It is the reaction of the skin to the burning sensation. In such cases, compress with ice generally solves the problem. If it persists for many days, then consult the doctor immediately.

Blisters: Some people also experience blisters on the skin. This occurs due to the reaction between low energy light and blood cells in the skin. They may go off after a certain period of time. This happens right after one receives the treatment.

Long Term Side Effects
Blistering and Bleeding: In some cases, the bleeding and blistering is experienced frequently, even after many days of the treatment. This can be very painful and annoying, and a visit to the doctor is recommended in this case.

Hyper and Hypo pigmentation: After photofacial treatment, some people may suffer from hyper or hypo pigmentation. Change in skin pigmentation is one of the photofacial dangers. In hyper pigmentation, the skin color is darkened and in hypo pigmentation the skin color lightens. Any type of pigmentation looks unusual on the skin, and takes away the evenness of the skin, making it look patchy.

Scars: In rare cases, photofacial treatment may leave some terrible scars, that make you look out of place. Though it is one of the rare side effects, it is important to get rid the ugly scars, as soon as possible.

To avoid any such side effects, it is better to get yourself treated by a certified doctor, under expert guidance. They will study your medical history and then determine the course of treatment, that reduces your chances of suffering from any of the bad effects.

Today, the markets are overflowing with cosmetic products, treatments and devices, that often make false promises to fight aging and enhance your beauty. With the help of advertising gimmick, the manufacturers of such products, smartly avoid telling you the risks associated with them. Photofacial treatment is one technique that uses new technology to make you look beautiful. But do not fall for fancy products and skin treatments. Crosscheck everything with your doctors to avoid harmful side effects of photofacial on your skin.