What is IPL?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy uses pulses of light to break up unfavorable brown and red spots. We use this device to treat small and large areas of the body including the face, neck, chest, and hands.
Our practice calls Autumn, “IPL season”! This is because we typically spend less time in the sun in the colder months, and avoidance of sun exposure is crucial to successful IPL treatments.
Benefits of IPL treatment may include:
- Reduced appearance of brown and red spots from sun damage
- Reduced appearance of redness and blood vessels from rosacea
- Reduced signs of aging skin
- Smoother skin
- Even skin tone
What to expect:
IPL is an invasive, but safe treatment that targets the middle layer of the skin. If you plan on getting IPL treatment, avoiding excessive sun exposure one week prior and one week after treatment is necessary. Be sure to wear tinted mineral sunscreen daily before and after IPL treatment. Do not use any retinol, tretinoin, differin gel, or exfoliating washes a week prior to treatment. Do not use self-tanner two weeks prior to treatment.
IPL treatment typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete making it quick and effective treatment. Most patients report minimal pain during the treatment. You may experience redness and swelling after the treatment is complete. Patients typically need a range of 1 to 6 treatments to see maximum results.
*Caution must be used when treating darker skin tones with IPL. This is because the pigmentation in darker skin is challenging for the IPL to penetrate. Talk to your dermatologist to determine if IPL treatment is right for you.
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