The next generation of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is here. Lumecca was already the gold standard in IPL, but Lumecca Peak is even more effective. This revolutionary skin treatment is often referred to as a “photofacial” for its selective dark spot targeting capabilities. Also, because it delivers brilliant, flawless, and even skin tone. It’s like real-life photo editing!
What Is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy?
Often confused with laser therapy, IPL isn’t laser therapy—it’s light therapy. Laser therapy emits a single wavelength, while light therapy emits multiple wavelengths. It also differs in how it targets pigmented areas. IPL delivers similar aesthetic results as lasers but can hyper-target discoloration, while lasers treat all cells they come in contact with.
IPL can treat larger surface areas in less time, with the standard treatment between 20 and 30 minutes.
What Type of IPL Works Best?
There are many types of IPL to choose from, with Lumecca Peak being the most advanced on the market to date.
Lumecca photofacial utilizes selective photothermolysis that targets skin cells that are darker than the surrounding skin. The hyperpigmented areas on your face or body absorb the wavelengths, heating and breaking down discoloration.
How Is Lumecca Different From Other IPLs?
Standard Lumecca delivers results in 1 to 3 treatments, while other IPLs take 4 to 6 treatments.
This advanced therapy targets dark spots without damaging surrounding tissues, activating your body’s natural healing process. As your cells repair, your dark spots may darken and flake off over the next 24 to 48 hours. This rapidly improves skin clarity and gives the appearance of improved skin texture.
The wavelengths may reduce pore size and stimulate localized collagen production for anti-aging benefits. However, there are more effective med spa treatments for stimulating collagen production.
How Is Lumecca Peak Different From Standard Lumecca?
Lumecca Peak delivers up to 3 times more energy, often delivering results after the very first treatment! This is opposed to 1 to 3 treatments for first-generation Lumecca.
What Causes Hyperpigmentation?
Dark spots aren’t just a sign of aging, as hyperpigmentation (aka. melasma) can arise at any age, and can be caused by a variety of factors. Sun damage is high on this list, but it’s not the only contributing factor. The more factors you’re susceptible to, the higher your odds of uneven skin tone.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Over 90% of those diagnosed with melasma are women, and it’s something 50% of women are affected by. Fluctuating estrogen levels can cause an increase in melanin production, resulting in skin discoloration. Women may experience this discoloration for the first time when they start taking birth control, become pregnant, or as their hormones change during perimenopause. During pregnancy, this condition is commonly known as the "mask of pregnancy", chloasma, or melasma mustache.
UV and Sun Exposure
It’s important to apply broad-spectrum UV protection every day, even during winter. Few things damage your skin more than the sun’s UV rays, but we’re exposed to UV light inside and outside. The blue light from electronic devices and fluorescent lighting can accelerate the production of melanin, which can cause sunspots, liver spots, and brown spots.
Acne and Scarring
It's almost impossible to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. When acne or minor injuries including cuts, scrapes, or burns occur—your skin is likely to scar. During the natural healing process, your skin creates more melanin at the site of the injury. This type of melasma often fades without targeted treatment but can fade faster with targeted med spa treatment.
Why Does Hyperpigmentation Get Worse With Age?
Does it feel like the scar left behind after a small pimple or simple scratch is darker than usual? Or like standard scars take longer to fade? It’s not you, it’s the natural aging process.
- UV Damage: The older you are, the more exposure you’ve had to the sun and other UV rays. The more exposure, the more damage and the greater the risk for sun spots.
- Melanin production: Hormonal fluctuations that are part of the natural aging process can disrupt melanin (skin pigment) production. For some, skin creates more melanin with age, making new scars more apparent.
- Slower cellular repair: Skin repairs naturally, but collagen production and cellular repair slow with age. This means it will take longer for scars to heal and fade.
- Thinner skin: As we age, our skin gets thinner. The thinner the skin, the greater the contrast between your natural skin color and your scar or dark spot.
Will My Scar Fade Naturally?
Maybe. Some scars fade quickly, some take years to fade, and some never fade on their own. Lumecca Peak fades both new and old scars, sometimes with just one treatment.
What Conditions Can Lumecca Peak Treat?
IPL is effective for fading hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and vascular lesions, including:
- Acne scars
- Brown spots
- Cherry angiomas
- Erythema
- Freckles
- Port wine stains
- Rosacea
- Scars
- Spider veins
- Sun spots/liver spots
- Superficial leg veins
- Telangiectasis
- And more
How Effective Are Results?
You can realistically expect significant fading or complete dark spot, scar, or redness removal.
Will Lumecca Fade My Freckles?
Yes! If you don’t love your freckles, Lumecca is a treatment option. If you love your freckles and want to treat nearby discoloration, your freckles in the surrounding area will fade or be completely erased.
Is IPL Only For The Face?
IPL can treat skin discoloration on the face and body. And yes, the aging liver spots on your hands can be treated!
We can administer IPL on your:
- Hands
- Arms
- Body
- Face
- Neck
- Décolletage
View real patient results for yourself.
What Does Lumecca Peak Feel Like?
One of the things that differentiates Lumecca from other IPLs is its built-in cooling system. In addition to the cooling gel we apply before your treatment, the treatment wand has a Sapphire tip that intensifies cooling.
Most patients describe treatment as a warm sensation with mild discomfort. They compare it to a light snap of an elastic band. If the discomfort is too much, or you’re nervous, we can administer Pro-Nox (aka. laughing gas). Pro-Nox wears off quickly, so you can drive yourself home. Your skin will be red after your treatment. The redness should subside in a few hours. You may feel a mild sunburn sensation that typically fades within the first 24 hours.
Am I An Ideal Candidate For Lumecca?
Lumecca IPL is non-invasive and considered generally safe and effective for most, even those with sensitive skin.
You may not be a candidate if you:
- Are pregnant or nursing.
- Have naturally darker skin that is 5 or 6 on the Fitzpatrick scale.
- Use tanning beds or self-tanners.
- Are prescribed Accutane or similar acne medications.
- Have severe acne or your skin is currently irritated, inflamed, or broken.
Can At-Home Skincare Products Even Out Skin Tone?
Maybe, but nothing is as fast and effective as Lumecca Peak. There are a variety of serums, creams, and at-home skincare devices that promise to reduce redness, fade pigmentation, improve skin texture, and even out skin tone. Some of these products are effective, but they can be harsh, and many aren’t suitable for sensitive skin.
The most effective at-home solutions take months to work, and most must be used ongoing to maintain results. The time and cost of testing products that don’t work is often significantly more than IPL therapy.
How Long Does it Take To Even Out Skin Tone With Lumecca Peak?
Your cells will begin repairing themselves immediately after your IPL treatment. Dark spots may darken and flake off over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Expect reduced pigmentation, brightness, and improved complexion 1 to 2 weeks after your first session. If additional sessions are required, they’ll be spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
If you have a range of skincare objectives beyond fading pigmented areas, we may suggest combining aesthetic treatments—or utilizing other treatments that fade dark spots. This may include Morpheus 8, PRP, or our many smoothing, lifting, and restorative therapies.
How Much Does Lumecca Cost?
Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa charges between $200* and $600* per session depending on the size of the treatment area. You’ll likely need between 1 and 3 sessions.
This is often less than you’ll spend on at-home serums, creams, and devices that deliver little to no results.
*Prices are subject to change.
Let’s Discuss How to Even Out Your Skin Tone
If you live in or around Phoenix, Glendale, or Tempe we invite you to schedule a consultation with Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa. We have locations in all 3 cities and will complete a comprehensive evaluation of your skin to determine if Lumecca Peak is right for you.
We’ll determine if IPL is the best option for achieving your aesthetic objectives or advise on our other minimally invasive treatment options. This may include a combination of treatments to rejuvenate your skin.
