Over the past few months, I’ve been getting my face lasered and never been happier. While I’m all for products that can help even skin tone, lasers are more precise and can zap spots in just one treatment session. After two years of trying to calm my rosy, blemish-prone skin with elimination diets (no dairy) and topical treatments (rosacea creams and pimple-drying lotions), I was still left with broken capillaries, brown spots and post-inflammatory marks. Finally, I went to see Lauren Abramowitz, RPA-C and founder of Park Avenue Skin Solutions, who treated me with a series of a powerful Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with the Lumecca laser. “Because the Lumecca laser treats both red and brown skin abnormalities at once, patients are getting the best of both worlds in skin rejuvenation and anti-aging treatments,” says Abramowitz. “Plus, it is the only IPL on the market to date that treats as strong as the V-beam laser.”
How it works:
Even though this IPL is powerful, it won’t leave you red or swollen. It’s actually non-invasive and there’s barely any downtime. After my first few treatments, I hopped right back on the subway and spent time at my kid’s school without anyone noticing that I got my face lasered. The handheld device features a custom flash lamp that delivers 40 percent of total pulse energy in the 500-600 nm range (the perfect spot of hemoglobin and melanin absorption) that penetrates pigmented cells and destroys them without injuring other skin tissue.
The Treatment:
After gel is applied to the face, I apply ice before Abramowitz starts the treatment. Once the laser head hits the skin, it feels warm and as if a rubber band is snapping on your face (kind of like laser hair removal, but I think less painful). Abramowitz goes over my face two times and the entire process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. “I recommend three to five treatments performed once every four weeks,” says Abramowitz. “A majority of my patients see a result within a few weeks after the first treatment and keep getting better with time as you do more treatments.”
Results:
I’ve completed my fifth treatment and my skin never looked better. This in-office treatment has totally kept my Rosacea at bay, helped tighten my pores and gives my skin a glow. Post-inflammatory marks and capillaries have faded dramatically and most brown spots are gone (especially the ones on the side of my face from time spent in the sun). I’ve pretty much ditched all my prescription topicals for redness and breakouts and feel comfortable walking around town without makeup. Prices can vary depending on body part treated, but in New York City can range from $500 to $1,250.
Share this story
