The Treatment Process
What to Expect Before Treatment
Before treatment can begin, you will have to come in for a consultation to ensure that Icon is right for you and your skin. In some cases, medications or previous skin injections could affect the outcome of Icon treatment, so please speak to your doctor before moving forward.
If you are a suitable candidate for Icon treatment, please discontinue using tanning beds and creams and ensure that your skin is protected from sun exposure for at least 4 weeks before your appointment. On the day of treatment, make sure you are not wearing any lotions or make-up as these could affect the outcome of the treatment.
What to Expect During Treatment
The Icon 9 IPL tool is a handheld device that will glide over areas you wish to treat.
Before starting treatment, a gel will be applied to your skin to help keep you feeling comfortable during the rest of your appointment. You will also be provided eye shields to protect your eyes.
You may feel various sensations during treatment, like cooling from the gel and a slight rubber band-like snapping when energy is delivered to your skin. After the treatment, it’s not uncommon for patients to report that the treated areas feel warm.
Depending on the size of the area you wish to treat, the whole process may only take a couple of minutes! Once complete, a cooling gel may be applied to the treated areas to help keep you comfortable, but there is no need for any bandages or ointments.
What to Expect After Treatment?
After the treatment, it is not uncommon for patients to feel a sunburn-like sensation, plus redness and swelling, on the treated areas. However, these sensations typically dissipate over a couple of days. While your skin is healing, you may maintain your regular day-to-day activities, but make sure you use SPF 45 sunscreen or greater when you go outside to prevent sun damage.
For up to 3 weeks, your skin’s treated areas may darken and flake, but this is completely normal to the healing process. As these areas peel from your skin, vessels, spots, and freckles will fully or partially fade, leaving you with clear and beautiful-looking skin.
