Q&A’s About My IPL Skin Treatment

A couple weeks ago, I met with the Lumenis Team, the leading laser aesthetic brand in the world, to try out one of their state-of-the-art devices and wanted to share my experience with you. We chatted about some hyper-pigmentation and dark spots and they suggested the Stellar M22 device for my skin. I’ve been wanting to try out IPL Treatments for a while and was so glad they offered me this complimentary session. Today, I’m answering all your Q&A’s about my IPL Skin Treatment, information about the device, and sharing my before + after photos after 1 treatment.

• What is Stellar M22? Stellar M22 is a state of the art, multi-functional device, with applications to treat over 30 skin conditions including rosacea, general signs of aging, birthmarks, acne scars, and stretch marks. While the laser is comprised of two different functioning systems: the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser, and the ResurFx laser, it’s the IPL that administers varying wavelengths of light into the skin, generating heat to treat pigmentation and vascular imperfections of the skin.
• How many sessions did you get? I only did 1 treatment, but saw improvement in my dark spots in that 1 session. They typically recommend a series of 3-6 sessions (depending on the severity of your skin needs).
• How much does it session cost? It depends on the area of town and healthcare provider performing the treatment, but it can cost between $200-$400 per session. Some doctors do offer discounted packages if purchased in a series. Find a Lumenis Physician finder HERE.
• Did it hurt? Some areas were more sensitive than others (i.e. around my eye, lip and on my forehead near my hairline), but it wasn’t unbearable. I’d say a level 3 for most areas and 7 for the sensitive areas. It helped that the aesthetician would count before each light pulse so I could prepare myself.
• How long did the process take? About 20 minutes total. First, she cleaned my skin, then applied a generous layer of ultrasound gel over the treatment area and gave me goggles to protect my eyes from the bright light. Not only does the gel help keep your skin cool, but it also helps the laser glide smoothly. She only goes over each area once.

• How was the after care? Way easier than I thought! I was able to go about my normal routine (grocery shopping, dinner with the family, etc) with very little downtime. Some people experience a slight tingly, pinkness, and almost sunburn feeling up to a few hours after the treatment, but I didn’t get any of those effects.They don’t recommend working out for at least 24 hours and to refrain from using any retinoids, active acids, scrubs, or cleansing devices such as my Michael Todd Cleaning Brush for 1 week. It’s important to be extra gentle with your skin, use a good moisturizer, limit sun exposure, and apply sunscreen (SPF30 or higher). I get questions all the time if I’m still using ZO Skin Health products and the answer is YES! I’ve added a couple other things to my skincare and hope to share them in a post with you guys in the near future. If you need a great sunscreen recommendation, Elta MD Clear SPF46 has been my holy grail sunscreen for years.
• What’s the downtime? Up to 10 days, but mine was very minimal. I had some slight flaking from the dark spots coming to the surface, but it was so little I barely noticed. Compared to my chemical peel, this felt like a walk in the park.
• How do I prepare for the treatment? I filled out a questionnaire before the appointment, but didn’t do anything else to prepare for the appointment beforehand. If you have had fillers, botox, or used self-tanners, they recommend waiting at least 3-4 weeks before performing this procedure. The heat from the laser may cause complications with those treatments. I would recommend coming to the appointment with a clean face (no makeup, just moisturizer and sunscreen).
• Would you recommend this treatment? I absolutely would. My results were pretty mild, but that’s also because I only did 1 treatment and my concerns weren’t super drastic either. With that being said, I’ve seen incredible results from other patients so I think it could be really beneficially for you. Contact your local Lumenis physician to schedule a consultation or check them out on Instagram.