Between You and the Moon

What is Phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a non-invasive skin care treatment in which specific wavelengths of light are delivered to the epidermis to stimulate and activate cellular processes deep within the skin layers. This kind of therapy is completely safe (does not produce a thermal reaction) and ultra-relaxing to boot!

How much downtime will I have?
Phototherapy is a gentle and relaxing treatment, so there is no down time post-treatment. You may return to your daily routine at the end of their treatment, (Although when I worked at Valley, we had a running joke that phototherapy clients leave so relaxed that we should make them take a cab home!) If you getting a peel or deep pore cleanse with the treatment (Level III Facial) you may have more redness than phototherapy alone, but you will be much less red than a peel or deep pore cleanse without phototherapy!

Will Phototherapy make my skin more sun-sensitive?
Phototherapy by itself is not considered an event that makes the skin more photosensitive. Any exfoliation during the treatment (such as acid-peels or the ultra-peel) will thin the epidermis; Therefore, protecting your skin from the sun with a hat is ALWAYS recommended. Besides, we are working to get rid of your sun damage…so why would you run right out and get more!

When will I see results?
The immediate effects of Phototherapy are noticeable within the first 12 hours of the treatment. If you start with a level III, taking off layers of dead skin and clearing out the pores, your first treatment will prove to have even more dramatic results. Since phototherapy is about stimulation of cellular activity, the benefits will continue accumulate for an entire skin cycle (approximately 28 days)! The results are cumulative, so the more you do and the quicker the succession, the more benefits you will receive!

How long will they last?
Any “changes” that you make to your skin with phototherapy are permanent changes, but that doesn’t stop time, oxidization, and your skin’s natural processes. In order to achieve the most long-lasting effects of the treatment or series of treatments, we need to find what is causing the problem in the first place and change that! We can even out your skin tone and balance your pH, but if it is your diet and/or skin care regimen that caused the problem in the first place, the problem will come back.

How often should I come in for a treatment?
This depends on your schedule, determination and budget. You will see the effects over a course of treatments and even after your series is completed. I prefer to start a series of treatments with a facial (Level III) and switch between a Phototherapy TREATMENT and a Level III FACIAL during the course of the treatments. This makes sure that your epidermis is exfoliated, your pores stay clean and the light can penetrate better.
A skin cycle is 28 days. I see the best results when I can overlap skin cycles at the top of a treatment. Therefore, in most cases, I want to see you every two weeks for the first 2 months. After that, we will work together to determine your needs.

Some scenarios:
Pustular Acne: One treatment a week for 4 weeks in order to balance the pH and heal the open wounds. If there are old acne scars, one treatment every other week for two months and one treatment once a month for 2 months. Facials with extractions need to be interspersed with phototherapy.

Couperose/Redness/Rosacea: One treatment every-other week for 6 treatments. Treatment 2ce a year to keep inflammation down.
Fine Lines, Sun Damage, Uneven Skin Tone: One Treatment every-other week for two months. One treatment a month until you are satisfied. One-off treatments as needed.

Skin That Just Wants a Boost: Now. Just come on in and get a treatment! (The only exception is if you have had red-light phototherapy in the past two weeks, give it another week and then come in!)

How much does Phototherapy Cost?
A single phototherapy session is priced at $150. Series discounts include an acne package (4 treatments to be used within 2 months for $500) and a Phototherapy Series Package (6 treatments for $750 – does not expire) A Level III Facial includes a Facial, any peels you may need and Phototherapy for $300.