Steven E. Rasmussen, MD, FAAD

IPL (or Intense Pulse Light) is the more technical term.  Photofacial is the more marketing friendly term.  IPL treatments are light-based not laser-based treatments.  These devices use filters to produce intense pulses of specific wavelengths of light energy to target different lesions on skin such as lentigos (sun spots) or small blood vessels.  This results in destruction of the targeted lesions and improvement of the tone and discoloration of the skin. 

The effects of Botox usually takes 3-7 days to be seen and may take up to 2 weeks to see the full effects.  However, I have had some patients whose Botox has kicked in much quicker.

Unfortunately with treatments that involves injections, bruising can occur.  Any needle stick can result in in a small bruise no matter the skill of the injector or if all precautions are taken (ie.  aspirin, ibuprofen or other blood thinners are avoided).  It is just the risk of the procedure but the risk is small.  Also, taking such precautions should help further minimize the risk.  If a bruise does occur, quick application of a cold pack and addition of arnica/vitamin K can lessen the bruise and expedite its resolution

Yes, I usually have my patients wait 3-4 hours but there has never been any studies to show how long you truly need to wait.  The main goal is to not manipulate the treated areas so as to now push the Botox to other areas and effect other muscles causing unwanted results.  I have had several patients exercise shortly after treatment with no side effects or decrease in the Botox results.

The aesthetic results from hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm last 4-12 months.  The large variability depends on the area or areas being treated (the filler breaks down quicker in areas of increase movement), each individual's own variability in breaking down the filler and the small differences in the different fillers.  For most patients, the results will last 9-12 months or even longer for some individuals.