Is an IPL PhotoFacial Painful?

Due to the sapphire crystal at the tip of the BBL® HERO™ device applicator, most patients do not need any type of local or topical anesthetic. Dr. Slocum is happy to provide a topical anesthetic for ease of patient comfort or peace of mind. Should any redness or swelling occur post-treatment, you will be given an ice pack to mitigate the side effects and soothe the skin for quick relief. Most patients will continue to feel warm for 30-60 minutes after their treatment.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of appointments will vary according to the patient’s individual skincare concerns. Some skin damage will need to be addressed over multiple appointments to deliver the optimal results. During your consultation, Dr. Slocum will be able to estimate the number of treatments necessary to treat your skin appropriately.

How Long Until I See Results?

Most patients notice a visible, immediate improvement following their IPL PhotoFacial treatment. Full results will manifest in at least a week, with optimal results over several sessions. On average, it will take anywhere from 14-21 days to see complete results from the BBL® HERO™ device. These results may last up to four months. Dr. Slocum advises regular maintenance sessions to sustain the results of your treatment and maintain healthy skin.

Can I Combine an IPL PhotoFacial With Other Procedures?

Dr. Slocum is happy to combine your IPL PhotoFacial treatment with other skin care or surgical treatments to deliver an overall refreshed and healthy look! Many of our patients opt for BOTOX or dermal fillers to round out their skincare or facial treatment plans. Please mention any desired treatments or procedures in your individual consultation, and Dr. Slocum will be able to incorporate them into a customized treatment plan that centers on your health and safety.

What Are the Risks Associated With an IPL PhotoFacial?

Dr. Slocum is an experienced plastic surgeon who prioritizes his patients’ health and safety. However, every medical procedure is associated with some risks. Below are some of the common risk factors for IPL PhotoFacial treatments: Swelling Redness Itching Peeling Bruising Changes in skin sensitivity Blistering Hypopigmentation for patients with darker skin tones Dr. Slocum does not advise IPL PhotoFacial treatments for pregnant or breastfeeding patients or patients currently receiving certain medications that treat existing or chronic skin issues.

Portsmouth, NH

BBL Hero (IPL PhotoFacial)

Introduction to IPL PhotoFacial

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) PhotoFacial technology was first developed in the mid-90s to address light skin pigmentation and other mildly visible vascular conditions. Today, the technology has advanced to the degree that a whole host of skin conditions can be effectively treated across a broader range of skin tones and types. Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in Portsmouth, NH, is pleased to offer BBL® HERO™ by Sciton, the latest in IPL PhotoFacial technology to help patients in Boston, New Hampshire, and the surrounding New England areas achieve smooth, fully rejuvenated skin.

Achieve a Balanced, Refined Look

What is an IPL PhotoFacial?

IPL PhotoFacial treatments use intense, concentrated light to penetrate the deeper dermal layers and trigger collagen production to renew skin cells and regenerate the skin’s texture. The technology can address most skin imperfections, such as rosacea, sun-related damage, natural aging, and acne—just to name a few!

BBL Hero

The BBL® HERO™ by Sciton goes one step above similar IPL PhotoFacial technology through its proprietary Intelligent control (IC) and Skin Positioning System (SPS), allowing for more careful and consistent treatments and a broader application on more areas of the body, including the following regions:

Face
Neck
Decollete
Arms
Legs
Back
Buttocks
Abdomen

BBL® HERO™ by Sciton can also be applied to a broader range of skin types and tones than other IPL PhotoFacial treatments with Quick Change Smart Filters, which span nine wavelengths to optimize patient skin care.

What Are the Benefits of an IPL PhotoFacial?

Patients at Seacoast Plastic Surgery in Portsmouth, NH, or from Boston and the greater New England area have selected IPL PhotoFacial treatments with the BBL® HERO™ for the following benefits:

Improved skin texture across most skin types
Diminished or erased appearance of wrinkles and other signs of skin damage
Firmer skin
Elimination of unwanted or excess hair
Increased patient comfort
Reduced overall treatment time
Natural results harness the body’s own collagen production
Rejuvenated, fresher appearance

Who Are the Best Candidates For an IPL PhotoFacial?

The advanced BBL® HERO™ technology can be applied to almost anyone seeking an IPL photofacial treatment! Dr. Slocum recommends this treatment to patients in Portsmouth, NH, Boston, and the greater New England area if they exhibit the following characteristics:

Loose, sagging skin
Excess or unwanted hair
Age-related or sun-related skin damage
Small vessels or rosacea
Active acne breakouts

Please note that the BBL® HERO™ treats patients with skin tones up to Type V on the Fitzpatrick Scale. We highly recommend patients schedule a consultation to determine if they are a suitable candidate for an IPL PhotoFacial treatment with the BBL® HERO™ device or to understand the full range of skin treatment options available to them.

Let’s Get Started

What’s The
First Step?

If you are considering an IPL PhotoFacial treatment in the greater New Hampshire area, please contact the Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in Portsmouth, NH, for a consultation.

Either Dr. Slocum or our on-site Aesthetician, Rachael Minnihan, will evaluate your skin conditions and overall medical profile to determine if you are a suitable candidate for IPL PhotoFacial treatments using BBL® HERO™ technology and any other options to address your skincare concerns completely. Feel free to ask any and all questions during this consultation, as our goal is to ensure you feel fully informed and prepared for any medical procedures you may wish to elect.

Should you choose to proceed with an IPL PhotoFacial treatment, a customized skincare treatment plan will be made to meet all your aesthetic goals. A member of the Seacoast concierge team will then schedule your appointment and provide you with a list of instructions to prepare you for the treatment.

What to Expect on the Day of IPL PhotoFacial Treatment

Our team will meet with you once more on the day of your IPL PhotoFacial treatment to review your treatment plan, answer any outstanding questions, and highlight the areas that will be targeted during your procedure. Some patients request a local anesthetic to make the procedure more tolerable, which we are happy to supply. The BBL® HERO™ device uses a sapphire crystal to keep the skin’s surface layers cool during the treatment while allowing the concentrated light to reach its targeted area efficiently and safely, making most topical anesthetics unnecessary.

Our Aesthetician, Rachael Minnihan, will begin your treatment by targeting the areas highlighted during your consultation. Depending on the skin’s surface area to be treated, the treatment may require multiple sessions. When the procedure is complete, you will be given an ice pack to treat any mild swelling or redness resulting from the IPL PhotoFacial treatment.

IPL PhotoFacial Recovery

Most IPL PhotoFacial treatments result in some mild redness or swelling post-treatment due to the skin’s activation of collagen production. However, with the advanced technology of the BBL® HERO™ device, the skin’s surface layers, and minimal to no downtime, most patients can resume their regular activities the same day after their treatment.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

How Much Does an IPL PhotoFacial Cost in Dover or New Hampshire?

The cost of an IPL PhotoFacial in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area will begin at around $800, but it may vary depending on the surface area of the skin being treated and the number of treatments required for optimal results. The best way to determine your particular skin care needs is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Slocum and his team so that he can provide you with a cost estimate.

SPS Expertise

Why Choose Dr. Slocum?

Dr. Alexander Slocum (MD/PhD, FACS) is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who founded, owns, and leads Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in Portsmouth, NH. A native of New Hampshire, Dr. Slocum obtained his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) before earning a medical degree from the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University in West Virginia.

Dr. Slocum is certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), has a Fellowship with the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and has elected memberships with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Aesthetic Society for American Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the New England Society of Plastic Surgeons (NESPS), and the New Hampshire Medical Society (NHMS).

In his spare time, Dr. Slocum enjoys woodworking, weightlifting, and the general chaos that comes with having three children. He is continuously searching for the perfect dad joke, so make sure to bring your favorite to your consultation!