IPL Photo Genesis ™ alternatively known as photorejuvenation involves a series of gentle treatments designed to rejuvenate ageing and sun damaged skin utilizing light. These non-invasive, no down-time procedures improve redness, sunspots, fine lines, uneven tone and pore size to restore youthful skin to the face, neck, chest, and hands.

In 2007, in the USA, the Aesthetic Trends and Technologies Choice Awards™, nominated the Cutera Solus Opus (Photo Genesis) the best IPL for photo Facial treatments

Photo Genesis ™ can be used on any sun damaged area of the body especially the face, neck, chest, hands, legs and back.

Good candidates for this procedure are people with freckled, discolored, red, blotchy, or those with poor skin texture and/or large pores. In addition, this is a very effective treatment for the redness or dilated blood vessels and the flushing of Rosacea.

Photo Genesis™ selectively treats the red or brown spots on your skin. It's the heating and destruction of the pigmented brown or red cells that causes the therapeutic effect. The superficial heating also causes dilated capillaries, which are responsible for the flushing and diffuse redness of Rosacea, to shrink .Rosacea is a chronic condition and cannot be cured, however its appearance can be improved.

Ageing skin is associated with a range of cosmetic concerns - from pigmentation problems and splotchy skin to redness due to enlarged vessels or capillaries. The development of dry, dull skin also is common, adding to an overall lackluster appearance. Other effects include a loss of collagen, which results in the thinning of the skin and loss of structural integrity or weakening of the skin.

Now with the advent of photo rejuvenation devices, virtually any patient in their twenties or above can be a candidate for a little brightening of their skin.

One of the most ageing signs is the appearance of a mottled complexion with sun spots problems and splotchy skin to redness due to enlarged vessels or capillaries. The new concept today is to start with photo rejuvenation devices early so as to prevent the deterioration of skin colour as one gets older .Virtually any patient in their twenties or above can be a candidate for a little brightening of their skin with a Photo genesis treatment.

Can Photo Genesis™ be combined with other treatments?

At Skin Renewal Photo Genesis™ is commonly performed as part of a 3 D Skin Rejuvenation™. This combination is one of the most widely used and most effective methods of achieving a significant clearing of the complexion within 2 to 3 weeks when the effects of Photo Genesis™ rejuvenation become evident .Botox and Fillers can safely be combined with PhotoGenesis and are commonly performed after the Photo Genesis procedure

At Skin Renewal thousands of photo rejuvenation treatments have been administered to our patients with great results with virtually no side effects. We are particularly careful and conservative with the pulsed light procedures. If there is any history of sun exposure within the previous 3 weeks, there is a possible risk of burns which usually resolve without any consequences. Please inform your therapist if you have had sun exposure on the area to be treated in the previous 3 weeks.

No , darker skin types 5 to 6 skin types cannot be treated with Photo Genesis™. If there is a history of tanning in the previous 3 weeks the treatment will have to be rescheduled. Darker skin patients are better treated with peels such beta Peel, TCA and chemibrasion to improve discolouration.

Immediately after the treatment, brown spots will start to darken and your skin may be slightly red. Within one to three weeks, the darkened spots will flake off and fade. Diffuse redness or spider veins will decrease and your mottled complexion will improve. Rosacea is a chronic condition and cannot be cured; however its appearance can be improved. Remember to always apply a broad spectrum sunscreen when outdoors to minimize sun damage especially for 10 days after a Limelight procedure.

IPL PhotogenesisTreatments are available in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and Cape Town at the Rivonia, Parkhurst, Sandton, Fourways, Irene, Cape Quarter, Claremont, Stellenbosch and Willowbridge branches

Skin Renewal Tip:

Photo Genesis is a third generation IPL device that targets red and brown discolouration. Photo Genesis is a part of a class 4 medical laser system, the Cutera Xeo, which cannot be compared to an entry level IPL system.

For darker skin patients (Skin Type 6) before any peel procedure is performed, the full face has to be treated with the newly launched Luminesce range.

• Luminesce uses groundbreaking peptide technology (Oligopeptide 34) for brightening a dull complexion and has recently added 3 new peptides to the program which offers excellent results in combating epidermal and post inflammatory hyper- pigmentation ( PIH).
• An added benefit is that the combination of peptides used in the range offers anti-ageing benefits to the skin as they stimulate collagen producing cells..
• Luminesce used twice daily for 8 weeks will reduce the appearance of pigmentation and brighten the complexion
• Luminesce is safe for use on all skin types unlike traditional skin brightening cosmeceutical products as well as prescription medications which can cause hypersensitive skin, which in turn aggravates the problem.