Acne, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage are common skin conditions that can do our skin and self-esteem more harm than good. So what if we told you that the Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center has a rejuvenating solution?
With treatments like broadband light and intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City, you don’t have to settle for subpar skin. These treatments target imperfections to create a complexion we know you’ll feel confident in.
Keep reading our blog to learn the difference between these innovative light therapy treatments and the benefits that can help you glow brighter.
If you’re ready to meet with one of our licensed skin experts, visit our website or give us a call to schedule your light therapy consultation.
What is intense pulsed light therapy?
Intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-intensity pulses of light to improve various skin conditions.
Similar to laser treatments, intense pulsed light (IPL) converts light into heat energy to target and destroy areas of excess pigmentation. The main difference between laser and light therapies is that lasers focus just one wavelength of light on your skin, while IPL uses many.
Also referred to as a “photofacial,” IPL releases pulsing wavelengths of light that mimic camera flashes.
IPL is also a non-ablative light source, which is a safer, less aggressive treatment that enhances the look and feel of the skin. Non-ablative light treatments create subtle skin improvements with minimal side effects and recovery time.
Among other conditions, intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City is highly effective at treating:
- Vascular lesions
- Age marks
- Sun damage
- Rosacea
- Mild acne
- Spider veins
- Wrinkles
- Unwanted hair removal
At Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center, we use LimeLight IPL for a variety of skin concerns.
LimeLight IPL
With LimeLight IPL, you can address everything from skin tone to texture all at once! The main advantage LimeLight has over other IPL systems is its flexibility to tailor itself to the particular skin condition being addressed.
What is broadband light therapy?
Similar to IPL, broadband light therapy (BBL) uses pulses of light to treat a variety of skin concerns and brighten your complexion.
The main difference between these two light therapies is that while IPL and BBL both target areas of hyperpigmentation, BBL boosts collagen production at the same time.
As the most abundant protein in the body, collagen serves as a primary building block for your skin, muscles, and other connective tissues. Its main job is to provide strength and structure throughout the body.
By stimulating the body’s natural healing process to increase collagen production, BBL supplements the skin to improve elasticity and hydration.
BBL treatments can be used to reverse skin damage caused by sun exposure, harmful skincare products, and pollutants. Among other conditions, BBL can address conditions like:
- Sun damage
- Fine lines
- Large pores
- Wrinkles
- Scars
- Pigmented lesions
- Redness
At Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center, we can use Forever Clear BBL and Forever Young BBL to address all your skin concerns.
Forever Clear BBL
Forever Clear BBL uses a variety of light wavelengths to clear acne blemishes and eliminate future breakouts at the source. This treatment is a great option for individuals who have not found success with acne medications or other treatments.
To treat active and future acne, the Forever Clear BBL device uses blue light to target and eliminate acne-causing bacteria. Then, the device passes over the skin again with yellow light wavelengths to reduce inflammation and acne-associated redness.
Forever Clear BBL can heal acne and acne marks in the following areas:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Back
Forever Young BBL
With the Forever Young BBL, you don’t have to settle for wrinkles or sagging skin! This broadband light treatment reverses the hands of time by restoring the gene expression of aged skin.
Using infrared light and advanced light technology, Forever Young BBL targets wrinkles, fine lines, and sun damage for a more youthful appearance. This treatment can also help boost your body’s collagen production.
The Light Therapy Process
Regardless of if you choose broadband light or intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City, here’s what you can expect throughout your treatment process.
A Comprehensive Consultation
Your light therapy journey at Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center will begin with an in-depth consultation with one of our skin experts. Here, you will have the opportunity to discuss your skin concerns and the areas you would like to treat with light therapy.
Your provider will then conduct a full-face analysis to assess the current condition of your skin
This will help determine if broadband light or intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City would be best at treating your areas of concern.
From there, your provider will create a light therapy treatment plan that fits your lifestyle, budget, and desired outcomes.
Be sure to notify your provider of any current medications you’re taking or any skin conditions you have that may complicate the light therapy process.
The Prep Work
Before your light therapy treatment, your provider will cleanse the treatment area. We will also mark any areas that your provider should avoid during your treatment, including the following:
- Tattoos
- Moles
- Birthmarks
- Permanent makeup
Right before your treatment begins, we’ll provide protective eyewear to keep your eyes safe from the intensity of the treatment light. We’ll also apply a clear ultrasound gel to the treatment area to protect your skin.
BBL and IPL Treatment
Though broadband light and intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City are different treatments, both use similar application methods.
For your treatment, your provider will run the applicator from one treatment zone to another, thoroughly targeting and eliminating hyperpigmentation in each area.
Your light therapy treatment can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. This amount of time depends entirely on the attention needed in each treatment area.
Post-treatment Care
After your treatment, your provider will apply post-care creams and sunscreen to protect and hydrate your skin. They will also walk you through a post-treatment care guide to help you preserve your light therapy results.
Red, flushed, and irritated skin are common side effects from light therapy, and those will subside in the days after your treatment. Any pigmented lesions targeted during light therapy will also darken and gradually flake off in the following 7 to 10 days.
There is no downtime or recovery associated with either of these light therapy treatments, so you can get back to work and your busy schedule immediately after your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Light Therapy
Still have some unanswered questions about light therapy at Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center? Keep reading to discover more information about these revolutionary skin treatments.
Is light therapy painful?
Both broadband light and intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City are gentle, non-invasive skin treatments. Your provider may choose to apply a topical anesthetic to some of the more sensitive treatment areas.
Many patients describe the sensation of light therapy as similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin.
What other treatments pair well with light therapy?
At Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center, we commonly combine light therapy with the following treatments:
- Halo Laser – As our only resurfacing procedure to combine ablative and non-ablative wavelengths, this laser treatment is great at treating dull, sun-damaged skin.
- HydraFacial – The benefits are endless with this hydrating and rejuvenating facial! This non-invasive treatment is best at evening skin tone and reducing large pores.
- Acne Facial – If you suffer from annoying breakouts, we may recommend combining light therapy with this facial, which cleanses your skin of debris, dirt, and oil for acne-free skin.
- KCSCC Skincare Products – You can achieve clear, glowing skin at home using products from our line of medical grade skincare. Visit our website to learn more about these dermatologist-certified products.
Who is not a good candidate for light therapy?
We do not recommend light therapy for individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are on Accutane.
We also cannot perform these treatments on individuals with a sunburn or active infection in the desired treatment area.
How does light therapy remove unwanted hair?
Light therapy, similar to laser hair removal, uses light energy to target pigmentation in the hair follicle. The heat created from this light energy destroys the hair follicle to inhibit future hair growth.
It typically takes multiple sessions of light therapy to significantly reduce hair growth. This is because only hairs in the anagen phase, or growth phase, can be targeted and removed through light therapy. We typically recommend 6 to 8 light therapy appointments to remove as much unwanted hair as possible.
It’s important to note that light therapy cannot permanently get rid of all unwanted hair growth. That being said, many patients report that when the hair does grow back, it is generally thinner and lighter in color.
Schedule Your Consultation
At Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center, we have the treatments you need to reverse skin damage for a brighter, clearer complexion. With treatments like broadband light and intense pulsed light therapy in Kansas City, your dream skin is only a few steps away.
Ready to embark on your light therapy journey? Visit our website or give us a call to schedule your appointment.
Interested in other skin treatments like laser skin resurfacing and microneedling? Visit our blog to learn more.