Photoderm IPL uses a light source as an effective way to treat a variety of facial problems like facial veins/rosacea, pigmentation and fine lines. It is also a very effective treatment for permanent hair reduction.

Palm Clinic has used the state of the art Photoderm IPL treatment since 2001. Photoderm IPL is essentially an adjustable laser which can vary the number of pulses and the energy of the light to target different layers in the skin.

Dr Sarah Hart and Clare Gallie RN performing a Photoderm IPL treatment.

Forms of Treatment

• Photoderm VL is Photoderm Intense Pulsed Light in vascular mode for treatment of facial veins, rosacea, removal of vascular birthmarks, Poikiloderma, redness on the neck, leg veins.
• Photoderm PL is Photoderm Intense Pulsed Light in pigment mode for treatment of pigmentation, brown spots, age spots, pigmented birthmarks, melasma, chloasma.
• Photorejuvenation treatment is used to obtain younger healthier looking skin. Photorejuvenation treats the signs of aging (wrinkles, brown spots, facial veins and lines) and sun damage. Photoderm is the only laser used for photorejuvenation which combines the treatment of facial veins, brown spots and stimulation of collagen by up to 20%.
• Photoderm HR is Photoderm Intense Pulsed Light in hair removal mode for treatment of treatment for permanent hair reduction

Areas of Treatment

• Unwanted hair. Photoderm HR treats unwanted hair and is capable of simple and effective permanent hair reduction.
• Facial veins carry red blood cells which in turn contain oxyhaemoglobin. Oxyhaemogobin is a chromophore which means it specifically attracts the light generated by the Photoderm. Thus the facial vein is selectively heated and closed down while leaving the facial skin intact. This same process works for facial flushing which is caused by very fine vessels deeper in the skin. Photoderm VL has longer wavelengths than other lasers which allows these fine deeper vessels to be targeted.
• Rosacea. Photoderm VL is capable of permanently improving rosacea in one to five treatments. The treatment is used to target the red veins caused by rosacea - and they simply disappear. The Photoderm is also capable of reducing the background redness (erythema) associated with rosacea resulting in a more even complexion.
• Facial flushing. Some people have flushing without obvious facial veins. While difficult to treat, Photoderm VL is the best technology available for this condition.
• Pigmentation – brown/age spots. Here the chromphore is melanin. For this the Photoderm VL uses a different wavelength to target the melanin which selectively heats the brown spots. The brown spots darken over a week or so then simply fall off leaving the skin intact.
• Poikiloderma is a condition of fine red veins causing a red rash on the neck. Photoderm VL is the leading technology for this condition.
• Removal of birthmarks which can be vascular in origin (red or purple) or pigmented in origin (brown). Using different settings on the computer Photoderm PL can treat such birthmarks including Port Wine stains.

Benefits of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Dr John Barrett of Palm Clinic says the Photoderm IPL has significant advantages over other laser treatments. Photoderm operates at a range of light wavelengths unlike standard lasers which use only one or two wavelengths. A range of filters are used which enable the Photoderm to target different chromophores such as melanin, oxyhaemoglobin and collagen. This means we are able to treat a variety of conditions such as facial veins, permanent hair reduction, brown pigment and stimulate collagen production.

Other advantages of the treatment include:

• No time off work
• Photoderm IPL can be used on a wider range of skin and hair colours than most lasers
• No anaesthesia
• No surgery
• No scars or stitches
• Patients can continue normal daily activities

What to Expect During the Procedure

During treatment, the doctors at Palm Clinic enter your details such as skin colour, body area and skin type to generate specific settings for your skin into a computer.

Multiple wavelengths of light are then produced (according to your details). A pulse produces a high energy flash of light that passes through normal skin, concentrating their energy at different levels. These concentrated energy flashes of light serve to treat problem areas.

Treatment sessions usually take around 30 minutes and consist of a series of "light flashes" on the skin. These feel like a "flick" from a rubber band.

After treatment there is no downtime, some redness which settles quickly and makeup can be applied straight away.