Cutera LimeLight

Intense Pulsed Light Photorejuvenation of the Skin

As the years go by, even if we eat well and exercise, our skin often displays clear signs of aging. Exposure of lighter toned skin to the sun results in a multicolored complexion – our face, neck, decollete (chest), hands, arms, and legs develop areas with redness, brown spots, fine lines, roughness, and telangiectasia (tiny broken veins and capillaries). Until recently, there were no effective treatments for these problems.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, however, has dramatically changed this situation. A non-invasive technique designed to truly rejuvenate the skin, IPL treatments cause the small blood vessels that cause skin discolorations to shrivel up and diminish or disappear. Diffuse redness is reduced, and brown spots darken then flake off and fade. The end result is that the "mottled" look of the complexion is significantly improved. This procedure can be used on any area of the body with great results, and topical anesthesia is not usually needed, as discomfort is minimal.

After a very exhaustive evaluation of all of the IPL products on the market, we selected the Cutera LimeLight. This FDA-approved device is much more sophisticated than many others in its class. It has a pre-programmed, built in computer that automatically selects most of the settings based on the patient’s skin type. We found the LimeLight to be safer and easier to operate, and more comfortable for the patient, due primarily to its cooled tip and the fact that only one pass over the skin is needed at each treatment. (Some devices we tested require three passes and yielded a less satisfactory result.)

There are many inexpensive, cheaply made IPL devices on the market, and we caution our patients against using only price as a choice determinant. We honestly believe that when it comes to equipment like lasers and light-based devices, that both the professional performing the service and the actual device used make all the difference in the world.

More information on the Cutera LimeLight IPL device can be found on the manufacturer's website. To make an appointment for an IPL photofacial or photorejuvenation procedure or for a complimentary consultation, please call our office at 949-753-7475.