Lumecca: What You Need to Know

Yes, Lumecca is a type of IPL  treatment, in which light energy penetrates all layers of skin without harming the surface. 

Also known as a photofacial or photothermolysis, powerful intense pulsed light treatments were first FDA approved to treat dilated blood vessels, such as leg telangiectasia. Now, in addition to vascular treatments, it has become a popular photorejuvenation skin treatment.

Pros

• Lumecca is FDA-cleared. 
• Treatments can be done in as little as 30 minutes. 
• Because Lumecca’s IPL technology doesn’t injure the surface of the skin, there’s no downtime.
• You should need only two photofacial sessions for significant improvements, though visible results may be noticeable even after a single treatment. 

Cons

• It works best on fair to medium skin. Because melanin (your skin’s pigment) absorbs light energy, olive and dark skin are at risk for burns or hyperpigmentation. 
• IPL treatments haven’t been confirmed as safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Average Cost:
• $325

• Range:
• $150 - $1,900

Your cost will depend on how many body areas you have treated, your provider’s level of experience, and their practice location. Many providers offer special pricing if you purchase two treatments up front.

Lumecca IPL is a cosmetic procedure, so it won’t be covered by insurance.

The FDA considers Lumecca safe only for people with very fair to light brown skin tones, specifically Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV.

IPL carries a risk of hyperpigmentation, blistering, burning, and other skin reactions on dark skin, but an experienced physician who understands the levels of Lumecca should be able to safely treat you with the proper energy settings. If your skin tone has brown pigmentation or is deeply melanated, get a patch test first, or talk with your provider about a safer type of treatment. 

“I find it best in my practice to gradually increase energy over time and check results with the patient,” says Dr. Paul Hester, a physician in Lexington, Kentucky. “Test spotting the discoloration with different wavelengths has been effective for dark skin. Sometimes we do two to three visits, spaced over several weeks, so we can carefully monitor the skin response.”

To reduce your risk of hyperpigmentation, whatever your skin tone, stop using topical retinoids two months in advance and avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning for the month prior to your appointment.

If you have any existing medical conditions, let your doctor know.

Each treatment takes about 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area. First, you'll put on protective goggles. Then your provider will apply a topical anesthetic or a cooling gel before moving the handpiece across the targeted area.

As the calibrated light waves pulse and heat the surface of your skin, pigmented spots will be pulled to the surface. (Each pulse will appear as a bright flash of light.) These flakes of pigment will darken and slough off over the next few days. (If you're treating a vein, you may see the vein blanch, or undergo a color change, and then flake off.)

The device’s heat also stimulates your body’s natural collagen production, making pores look smaller and skin look firmer and smoother.

How many treatments sessions you'll need will depend on the severity of skin damage you have, but the typical number is two.

Lumecca can improve skin texture, but the effect is subtle. For more dramatic skin tightening, a radiofrequency or ultrasound tightening treatment may offer better results.

Your level of discomfort will depend on your pain tolerance. Lumecca can be easy to endure or may be uncomfortable. Most people opt for numbing cream and cooling gel, to make the procedure more comfortable. The Lumecca handpiece also has a regulating sapphire cooling tip to ensure the light never gets too hot. 

The procedure can feel like a snapping elastic sensation (like a rubber band hitting you) or a tingle with heat. “I have had a laser peel before, and this was much easier to tolerate,” says RealSelf member taylor1932. “After the treatment, I was very red for about four hours, but that went away.”

You might notice redness and slight warming of the skin after the procedure. This can last anywhere from an hour to a day. However, because Lumecca doesn’t injure or puncture the skin, you won’t have any actual downtime.

You won't have downtime after a Lumecca treatment, but for the first 48 hours, you may have common side effects like a reddish or pink hue on skin, like with a sunburn. Your skin will feel especially sensitive.

The excess pigment that was pulled to the surface will continue to darken and start to flake off, looking a lot like coffee grounds. To avoid scarring, don’t rub or clean your skin too vigorously—and avoid picking at the dark spots.

Wait a week before resuming any topical retinoid or exfoliator, including a facial brush. Avoid removing facial hair via wax, depilatory, or laser for two weeks and stay away from microdermabrasion for a few weeks as well—it’s too irritating to your fresh skin. 

During this time, try to avoid direct sunlight. You’ll have to wear a sunblock with and SPF of 30 or higher daily for the next six weeks—long enough to get you in the habit of wearing it every day—to prevent future age spots or sunspots.