Este-Lux Photofacials: Treatment of Red Face (Rosacae) and Photoaging
Frequently asked questions
What is Este-Lux?|What is it like?
Post-operative care | How many treatments?
How many treatments are necessary?
Alternatives | Contraindications

What is a Palomar Este-Lux?

Intense pulsed light has been found to be very helpful for reducing the signs of photo-aging, such as brown spots and dilated capillaries. It is also among the most effective treatments for rosacea

Este-Lux is not a laser, but an intense light source. It uses "cut-off" filters to allow only the wavelengths needed to treat capillaries and brown pigment, which fade gradually.

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What is the procedure like?

Treatments last 20 to 30 minutes. A rectangular piece of sapphire attached to the light source will be placed on your skin and moved. Each area to be treated will receive 1 to 2 pulses of light.

Generally the light pulse feels like the snap of a rubber and on the skin and is generally well tolerated.

A topical anesthetic can be applied beforehand, but this is rarely necessary -- cooling with ice packs and a very cold stainless steel roller are usually adequate.

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What is the post-operative care? Is there any 'down-time'?

Immediately after the procedure cooling is continued for about 10 minutes in the office.

After cooling the skin, a high-tech cooling and mild anti-inflammatory gel known as Humatrix is applied to the treated area. Sunscreen and make-up can applied immediately.

The skin may swell slightly and a sun-burn like sensation is common for the first 24 hours.

Brown pigment spots will darken, crust and peel off after a few days. Blistering, textural or pigmentary changes, that is lightening or darkening of the skin, may occur.

If blistering occurs notify us and you will be evaluated by a physician and treated until healing is complete. Avoid the sun and use a good sunscreen and protective clothing -- this is very important

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How many treatments are recommended?

For rosacea, a series of 5 to 8 treatments at 3 week intervals is recommended.

For pigmentary spots and photodamage, 3 to 5 treatments at 3 week intervals is usually adequate.

Following treatment, avoid exposure to the sun -- sun exposure will undo all of the benefits of these treatment and causes continued aging of the skin.

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Are there any other ways to treat these conditions?

For the pustules and pimples associated with rosacea antibiotics, both topical and oral, are used.

Other types of vascular lasers have been used for dilated capillaries associated with rosacea, but intense pulsed-light treatments have been most helpful for the redness associated with small broken capillaries.

Brown spots are common on sun exposed areas and have been treated with a number of bleaching and fade creams, light liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, or with visible light lasers.

Lightening creams should be stopped about 5 days before your photofacial.

Intense Pulsed-Light (IPL) therapy is a very effective treatment for many of these brown spots.

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Are there contraindications to Este-Lux treatment?

  • Seizure disorders may be activated by this treatment and are contraindicated.
  • Pregnancy
  • Waxing, sugaring, electrolysis or plucking within 6 weeks prior to treatment, or using a cream depilatory within 4 days, will decrease the efficacy of the treatment. Why? because the target for the treatment, the hair root, will be gone.
  • Active herpes or cold sore: If you suffer from herpes or cold-sores, LET US KNOW! Pretreatment with oral Zovirax is advised.
  • Tanning, having a tan, or sun exposure for more than 15 minutes without protection in the past 2 weeks or using tanning creams within the past 4 weeks.
  • Use within the past 2 weeks of topical retinoids, such as Retin A, Renova, Differin, or exfoliants such as glycolic acid or azelic acid (Azelex)
  • Use, within the past 6 months, of oral retinoids such as Accutane, Tegison or Soriatane.
  • Lightening creams, such as hydroquinone should be stopped 5 days prior to treatment, because they are irritating.
  • Other medications that induce light sensitivity such as tetracycline, St. John's Wort, etc.

*** Be sure to reveal any and all medications that you are taking***

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Disclaimer: The information on this web site is provided for your general information and education. It  CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT be used to replace  the advice of a qualified medical practioner. Always talk with your doctor or nurse practitioner about your specific health concerns.  
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updated 19 January 2003