Houston & Pearland, TX

IPL PhotoFacial

Introduction to IPL PhotoFacial

Many people enjoy spending time outdoors and being in the sun, but they may not know that sunlight damage to the skin accounts for over 80% of all aging changes that occur. That means only 20% of the skin’s aging signs come from the skin’s natural aging process.

If you live in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the surrounding communities of South Houston, it is likely that you have spent too much time in the sun and are seeing dark spots that indicate skin damage has occurred. You may want to consider a BBL or IPL photofacial treatment at Premier Plastic Surgery.

Contact us today to learn more about the procedure or to request a free consultation. Dr. Hankins will be happy to discuss your treatment options. Our Houston area office is located in Pearland, TX, conveniently located to see IPL patients in Lake Jackson, Clearlake, Friendswood, Marvel and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

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What Are Sun Spots/Age Spots?

Sun spots are flat, dark brown spots that appear on the skin. They are caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays and eventually turn darker. If left untreated, sun spots can progress to a more damaging condition called actinic keratosis. This benign lesion is crusty, hard, and raised on the skin and potentially can progress to skin cancer. 

Other pigmentary changes, including skin thinning, can occur from sunlight exposure over the years.

At Premier Plastic Surgery, Dr. Christopher Hankins and his staff offer multiple treatment laser treatment modalities, including photo-facial, otherwise known as intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) or broadband light (BBL) procedures, to reverse the signs of aging and lessen the appearance of dark sun spots. These light therapy treatments may often be “stacked” or combined to get the best possible outcome.

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What is an IPL PhotoFacial?

Photo-facial treatments use a small amount of light energy to penetrate the skin’s surface and trigger collagen production in the skin cells. The new collagen growth improves the skin texture, making it look more vibrant and youthful.

“IPL” refers to “intense pulsed light treatment” and addresses several skin imperfections, including acne, freckles, age spots, and rosacea, to name a few. 

“BBL” treatments or “broadband light” are the names applied to the specific head in the Sciton® laser system, an IPL device.

What are the Benefits of an IPL PhotoFacial?

Our patients have reported the following benefits of undergoing an IPL photofacial treatment: 

  • Softened skin
  • Reduced redness caused by acne
  • Reduced or erased wrinkles and fine lines
  • Treatment of sun spots and sun damage caused by environmental factors

Who Are the Best Candidates for an IPL PhotoFacial?

The best candidates for IPL photofacial treatments are experiencing the following:

  • Dark sun spots or sun-induced freckles
  • Age spots
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Rosacea
  • Acne inflammation

IPL/BBL photofacial treatments are not recommended for recently tanned patients or taking photosensitizing medications.

IPL photofacial treatments have reduced effectiveness on patients with darker skin tones. This is because increased melanin in the darker skin tones tends to absorb more light, resulting in a darker spot that is more difficult to treat. 

If you have darker skin, other, more suitable treatments may be available. Please contact Dr. Hankins to discuss the full range of your treatment options.

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IPL PhotoFacial First Step

What’s the
first step?

Dr. Hankins will meet with you in a private setting, allowing you to feel comfortable as you take advantage of the personalized experiences offered in our cosmetic-oriented practice. Together, you and Dr. Hankins will determine whether IPL/BBL photofacial treatments are best for you.

If you’re considering photofacial treatments in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the surrounding areas of South Houston, call us to schedule your consultation today.

What to Expect From an IPL PhotoFacial Treatment

During your appointment, your skin will be cleansed thoroughly before treatment. The laser treatment will target broader sun spots and any smaller areas of concern.

After the treatment, we will apply an ice pack to your skin to reduce any overheating or potential swelling.

IPL Photofacial Recovery

Recovery following treatment is quick, and almost no downtime is necessary. Mild redness or a warm or burning sensation may be present for several hours or up to a day after treatment. However, most patients can continue their usual routine immediately following the procedure, and make-up and skin care products can be used as usual.

IPL PhotoFacial Cost

How Much Does an IPL PhotoFacial Cost in Houston, TX?

The cost of IPL photofacial treatments will depend on several factors, including the severity of each patient’s case and the frequency of sessions needed to achieve the desired results.

We don’t want finances to prevent you from getting the cosmetic surgery you want and deserve. To that end, Dr. Christopher Hankins is committed to making it as affordable as possible, including offering alternative financing solutions to his patients in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

We understand that sometimes it can be challenging to pay for cosmetic surgery. Dr. Hankins and his entire team at Premier Plastic Surgery want to ensure that your choice of procedures is as affordable as possible. One way we do that is by offering complimentary consultations to all our patients.

Please note: We charge a no-show fee for consultations and require a credit card to schedule an appointment.

We offer several payment options, including CareCredit and Cherry. If you have any questions about the fees or financing for your treatment or procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.

We also accept:

  • Cash or Check: personal check, cashier’s check, or cash
  • American Express
  • VISA
  • MasterCard
  • Discover

Payment is due in full before the start of treatment. You can use payment options individually or in any combination you choose. Feel free to contact our office about your financing options.

Why Choose Dr. Hankins?

Christopher Hankins, MD, is a plastic surgeon specializing in facial, breast, and body aesthetic surgery. He also has advanced training in hand surgery, breast reconstruction after cancer, and other reconstructive surgical procedures. Dr. Hankins completed five plastic surgery fellowships with highly distinguished physician mentors in the United States and the United Kingdom, including a Plastic and Microsurgery fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine and a Hand Surgery fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr. Hankins earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his General Surgery training prerequisite for Plastic Surgery as established by the Residency Review Committee in Plastic Surgery and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.

Dr. Hankins served as the Medical Director of the Wound Care Center at Lake Jackson Hospital from 2011 to 2014 and continues to treat wound care patients at his Premier Surgery Center and Lake Jackson Hospital.

In addition to his practice in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Hankins is actively involved in the study and clinical application of anti-aging medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Dr. Hankins has authored 19 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and serves on the editorial boards of four medical journals and as a reviewer on three others. He has been a presenter on various plastic surgical topics at the regional, national, and international levels.

Dr. Hankins has participated in plastic surgery medical missions in Peru, Bolivia, and Pakistan, where he performed a number of surgical procedures on disadvantaged children and adults. He sits on the Boards of Directors of both the Agris-Zindler Children’s Foundation and the House of Charity.

Dr. Hankins treats patients in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the neighboring communities of South Houston, but no matter where you come from, you will be in expert hands!

dr hankins and his staff Houston & Pearland | Premier Plastic Surgery Color

IPL PhotoFacial FAQ’S

Schedule a Consultation

Contact us today to learn more about a BBL or IPL photofacial procedure or to request a free consultation. Dr. Hankins will be happy to discuss treatment with men and women living in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the surrounding communities of South Houston.