Cutera LimeLight Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Highly Customizable Light Treatment
Reviving your skin does not always require intensive treatments. For many patients, they can eliminate cosmetic concerns with a gentler, noninvasive approach. At our Beverly Hills practice, we offer one of the most popular modern options for skin rejuvenation: the Cutera LimeLight intense pulsed light IPL system.
What Is Cutera LimeLight IPL?
Cutera LimeLight is a top-rated system for intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. As a light-based treatment, it can address a range of skin concerns while avoiding damage to nontargeted tissues. Flexible settings allow it to provide improvements to concerns such as:
- Sun damage and freckles
- Brown spots and uneven pigmentation
- Skin redness
- Vascular issues (e.g., spider veins)
How Does It Work?
The IPL device delivers bursts of light directly to the treatment area. Depending on the wavelength, different parts of the cells will absorb the light. Most commonly, we target the pigment within the cell. The absorbed light is converted to heat, which breaks down the pigment and causes damage to the cell. This damage encourages the body to break down the cell and replace it with a healthier one. Furthermore, the treatment encourages the production of new collagen. This protein is essential for promoting healthy skin with good elasticity.
What Are the Benefits of Cutera LimeLight IPL?
- Little to No Downtime: As a nonablative treatment, IPL minimizes strain to your skin. The result is a gentle, mild, rapid recovery period.
- Skin Tone Safety: Flexible settings allow for safe treatment across many skin tones. The treatment has been FDA cleared for a range of skin concerns.
- Consistent Results: Patients can see notable results following a single treatment, with improvements as they further continue their regimen.
- Short, Comfortable Treatment: Come in for a quick treatment and leave within the hour for minimal interruption to your day.
Cutera LimeLight IPL FAQs
Is intense pulsed light right for me?
IPL is open to a wide range of patients. We go through a full consultation process beforehand to ensure it is right for your goals and your skin’s needs. If you have any active skin infections or conditions, you may need to wait for those to resolve before pursuing treatment.
How long does the treatment take?
A typical session will last less than 1 hour. For some patients, an IPL treatment can take as little as 15 to 30 minutes. The duration will depend on the number of areas treated, and some areas take longer than others. The treatment itself is also very mild, generally feeling only like a mild pinching sensation. Most patients do not even require a topical numbing cream before treatment.
When will I see the results?
Most patients can begin seeing improvements in about 1 week. From there, it can take a couple more weeks for your full results to settle in. This is because the body must replace the damaged cells, which involves a certain amount of time.
Additionally, your full results will depend on how many sessions you need. Most patients can get the results they want with only 1 to 3 sessions. However, some may need more. We will let you know what your treatment plan would look like based on the goals you discuss during your consultation.
How long do Cutera LimeLight IPL results last?
Patients can expect results to last for months to well over 1 year. It depends on the concern treated and the patient’s individual factors (e.g., lifestyle, habits, health, genetics). However, most patients will still benefit from maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months. These touch-up visits help maintain good skin turnover, keeping it an even, healthy tone.
Is there any recovery period?
IPL photofacial treatments do not require full downtime, but there is still a mild recovery period. After treatment, your skin may feel similar to a sunburn. This includes redness, swelling, and sensitivity. These usually mostly resolve within a couple of days, but some patients prefer to take time off work until then. In total, patients can expect about 7 to 10 days before their skin is fully back to normal.
Some common instructions we give patients while recovering include:
- Avoid excess heat and exercise for up to 48 hours
- Wait for about 5 days before resuming normal skincare
- Minimize sun exposure until your skin feels normal
Is Cutera LimeLight IPL safe?
When performed by a qualified specialist, Cutera LimeLight IPL is generally safe. We take the time beforehand to ensure your skin type and tone are safe for treatment with the LimeLight system. When needed, we apply a cooling gel to the skin to help control temperatures and avoid skin damage.
Book Your Consultation
Contact our office to set up a consultation with our intense pulsed light specialist. Discover the benefits of Cutera LimeLight IPL and unlock radiant skin.
Dr. Christopher Zoumalan is a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive oculoplastic surgery. Dr. Zoumalan is passionate about helping patients reach their ideal aesthetic and restore functionality with the leading cosmetic eyelid surgery, reconstructive eyelid surgery, and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Dr. Zoumalan has been featured on several television shows and has traveled the world as a trusted oculoplastic specialist. Browse the video gallery below to learn more about oculoplastic procedures and treatments.
