IPL & Laser Skin Treatments: Pigmentation, Facial Veins & Real Results
Two people can walk into our clinic with what looks like the same skin concern and need two completely different treatments.
One might benefit from IPL. Another might be better suited to laser. And sometimes, the first thing we'd recommend is making a few changes to your skincare routine.
That's because what you can see on the surface doesn't always tell us the full story.
At Touch & Glow, we use advanced skin scanning technology, professional skincare and our Candela laser and IPL systems to assess and treat a range of skin concerns.
And over the past six weeks, we've been seeing some fantastic progress, particularly with pigmentation and visible facial veins.
We thought we'd show you a few of those results, explain how we approach these concerns and answer some of the questions we're regularly asked in our Ardee and Carrickmacross clinics.
First, let's look beneath the surface.
If you've visited us for a skin scan before, you'll know how much information it can give us about your skin.
We can look at concerns that aren't necessarily obvious in the mirror, assess areas of pigmentation and get a better understanding of what's happening beneath the surface.
It's also why October is such a good time to come in for a skin scan or rescan.
After the summer months, you might be noticing more pigmentation, uneven skin tone or changes in your skin that weren't as obvious earlier in the year.
And if you've already been working on your skin with us, a rescan gives us an opportunity to review your progress and decide what comes next.
A skin scan is one part of our assessment, alongside your skin history and a consultation. Together, they help us decide which treatments and skincare products may be most appropriate.
Because having several treatment options available is only useful when we know which one your skin actually needs.
Pigmentation: Why we don't treat every dark spot the same way
Treatment featured: Candela GentleMax Pro Plus alongside Environ skincare.
Pigmentation is one of the biggest concerns we're working with in the clinic at the moment.
You might notice darker patches across your cheeks, individual sun spots or areas where your skin tone looks less even than it used to.
But there's something important to understand before booking a pigmentation treatment.
Not all pigmentation is the same.
Superficial sun-related pigmentation can sometimes respond very well to targeted IPL or laser treatments.
Melasma, on the other hand, is a more complex form of pigmentation often influenced by hormonal factors. It can be aggravated by heat, light and other triggers, which is why we don't treat melasma with IPL or laser at Touch & Glow.
This is one of the reasons we place so much importance on assessing your skin before recommending a treatment.
Take a look at these pigmentation results.
These photographs show the progress achieved through a combination of Candela GentleMax laser treatment and an Environ skincare routine.
You can see a noticeable difference in the appearance of pigmentation and the overall evenness of the skin.
And that brings us to something Charlene is particularly passionate about.
The skincare you're using at home matters.
When we're treating pigmentation, we're also looking at the client's daily skincare routine.
Vitamin A is an important part of the Environ approach we use at Touch & Glow, helping support skin health and the appearance of uneven tone over time.
We might also make small adjustments to a client's existing routine.
For example, rather than adding lots of new products, we may recommend swapping their usual toner for Environ Dermalac Lotion a few times a week, where appropriate.
It's a product we love for helping improve radiance and the appearance of superficial uneven pigmentation.
Sometimes those smaller, carefully chosen changes make more sense than overcomplicating an already good routine.
Our advice: If you're noticing pigmentation, have it properly assessed before investing in treatments or stronger skincare products. Identifying the type of pigmentation is the first step towards choosing an appropriate approach.
Facial thread veins: Can those tiny red lines actually be treated?
Treatment featured: Candela Nordlys IPL.
Have you ever noticed fine red or purple lines around your nose or across your cheeks that never seem to disappear?
They're commonly referred to as facial thread veins, spider veins or broken capillaries.
And while skincare can help support redness-prone skin, it generally won't remove an established visible blood vessel.
That's where treatments such as IPL can be useful.
Our Candela Nordlys IPL system can target selected visible blood vessels, helping reduce their appearance.
Here's what that can look like.
These client photographs show the changes we've been achieving with targeted IPL treatment.
The difference can be particularly noticeable around the nose, where even a small number of visible vessels can contribute to persistent-looking redness.
Will one treatment be enough?
It's one of the first questions people ask us.
And the answer depends on the individual concern.
Some clients with visible veins see a good response after one treatment. Others need a course to achieve the improvement they're looking for.
The size, depth and location of the vessels all matter, as does how your skin responds.
We also want clients to understand that while treated vessels may remain reduced, new visible vessels can develop over time.
Our advice: If you've been covering persistent red lines with makeup for years, it's worth having them assessed. They may be treatable, but we need to identify the cause of the redness before deciding whether IPL is suitable.
Venous lakes: A small spot you might not realise can be treated
Treatment featured: Candela IPL.
This is an interesting one because many people don't know what a venous lake is.
A venous lake is a small collection of dilated blood vessels that often appears as a dark blue or purple spot, particularly on the lips.
It can look quite different from the fine red thread veins you might see around the nose.
In appropriately assessed cases, vascular IPL or laser treatment may be an option for reducing its appearance.
Take a look at this result.
These photographs show the change in appearance following treatment at Touch & Glow.
It's a good example of why we encourage clients to ask about concerns they've had for years, even if they've assumed nothing can be done.
One important point: A dark or changing spot on the lip should never automatically be assumed to be a venous lake. It needs to be properly assessed before cosmetic treatment is considered.
IPL or GentleMax Pro Plus: How do we choose?
This is where our skin assessment really comes into its own.
At Touch & Glow, we have access to different technologies because different concerns respond to different approaches.
Our Candela Nordlys IPL is used for selected concerns including:
• Visible facial veins and redness
• Certain pigmentation concerns
• Rosacea-related redness
• Selected acne concerns
Our Candela GentleMax Pro Plus is a laser system that we use for suitable pigmentation and vascular concerns, including certain small vascular lesions such as cherry angiomas.
Both technologies have their place.
But we don't expect you to know which one to book.
That's what your consultation is for.
We'll look at the concern, assess your skin and discuss the most appropriate options, including whether treatment is suitable in the first place.
How many sessions will I need?
For some vascular concerns, one session may produce a noticeable improvement.
For certain types of pigmentation, we often plan for approximately two to three treatments, depending on the severity and how the skin responds.
These are general expectations from our clinical experience rather than guarantees. Some concerns require more sessions, while others may not be suitable for treatment.
We'll discuss a realistic treatment plan with you before getting started.
What happens after your IPL or laser treatment?
We talk a lot about the treatments themselves, but what you do afterwards is just as important.
Sun protection is essential.
After IPL or laser treatment, your skin needs appropriate protection while it recovers. We provide personalised aftercare instructions, including guidance on SPF, skincare and activities to avoid.
This month, we're including a complimentary Environ RAD SPF 15 with every IPL session as part of our October clinic offer.
It's a product we regularly recommend within appropriate Environ routines, and a useful reminder of how important daily sun protection is.
We may also recommend follow-up nutritional facials and adjustments to your home skincare routine.
For us, the aim is to look after your skin throughout the process, rather than focusing only on the appointment itself.
Why October is a good time to reassess your skin
After the summer, many clients start noticing changes in their skin.
Pigmentation may appear more pronounced. Redness might be bothering you more. Or perhaps you've been following a skincare routine for months and want to see whether it's making the difference you hoped for.
This is a great time to review those concerns and plan your next steps.
With autumn here, many people are spending less time in strong sunshine, which can make it a more practical time to consider certain light and laser treatments.
You still need to protect your skin from UV exposure, and recent tanning or sun exposure can affect treatment suitability.
Start with a skin scan.
Whether you're completely new to professional skincare or you've been visiting Touch & Glow for years, a skin scan and consultation can help us understand what your skin needs now.
We'll assess your concerns, talk through your current routine and recommend suitable options based on your skin.
And if IPL or laser isn't the right approach, we'll explain that too.
Available at Touch & Glow Skin & Laser Clinics in Ardee and Carrickmacross.
The photographs featured show individual client results. Outcomes vary depending on the concern, skin type, treatment plan and aftercare. Consultation and suitability assessment are required before treatment.