![]() This cool gel serves several purposes: it helps protect the skin, allows the laser to smoothly glide over the skin, and reduces reflection of the IPL waves from the skin, making the treatment more efficient. When it’s time for your treatment, your skin will be cleansed and an ultrasound gel applied. These could include waxing, tanning or sun exposure, peels, and topical creams that contain retinol or glycolic acid. They may even perform a spot test beforehand, and they’ll give you instructions on what items to avoid for up to two weeks before your first IPL appointment. Avoid even self-tanners for two weeks prior to your appointment.ĭuring your initial visit, your provider will make sure you’re a good candidate for intense pulsed light therapy. RealSelf Tip: Doctors on RealSelf recommend staying out of the sun and direct sunlight for at least a week prior to your IPL treatment, to avoid possible complications like burning. It’s much less effective at hair removal than laser treatments.Most providers apply an anesthetic cream beforehand can numb the skin, which should make it tolerable. The treatment can hurt, with a sharp prickling, snapping, or stinging sensation.“Typically, I treat patients with dark skin tones with topical treatments and a series of chemical peels, before laser or IPL devices.” Treating tanned skin, even from self-tanning lotion, can cause burns, which can cause permanent hypo- or hyperpigmentaton. Christopher Weyer, a Tucson, Arizona, dermatologist. “IPL for African American skin can be challenging,” says Dr. Because the melanin (pigment) in skin absorbs light energy, deep skin tones are more likely to burn and, potentially, scar. It works best on fair to medium skin tones, Fitzpatrick skin types I–III.The risks of IPL are lower than those of some other light-based procedures. ![]() You usually can return to your routine immediately after your treatment. IPL treatments bypasses the skin's surface, so recovery time is minimal.However, multiple sessions are usually required for the best results. This skin treatment is often less expensive than laser treatments that address the same concerns.In one study, nearly 60% of patients experienced at least moderate improvement in skin around the eyes after three monthly IPL sessions. It can also improve skin texture, including fine lines and wrinkles.IPL can also be helpful at reducing discoloration from acne and acne scars.The treatment is also effective at reducing redness caused by broken capillaries, rosacea, and general facial flushing-something only a few other light-based modalities can do.Lorrie Klein, a dermatologic surgeon in Laguna Niguel, California. IPL photofacials are best used to treat excess or uneven pigmentation, helping to reduce age spots, sunspots, freckles, and melasma (aka hyperpigmentation), according to Dr.They’re typically performed three to four weeks apart. Most people need a series of IPL photofacial treatments to see optimal results. The size of the head of the IPL device is usually larger than most laser spot sizes, which allows for rapid treatment of large body areas. This light treatment can be performed on the face, hands, neck, chest, and legs. While it can be used to reduce unwanted hair, this treatment option is not as effective as laser hair removal.Īn IPL device works by delivering an arc of light energy that penetrates all levels of the skin, without harming the surface (the epidermis), so there’s little to no downtime afterward.Though not its main indication, an IPL photofacial treatment can also stimulate collagen production and improve signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.It can also minimize broken capillaries and redness, including rosacea, acne, and acne scars.Dermatologists frequently use it for photorejuvenation, to decrease brown spots from sun damage.IPL photofacials can also treat vascular lesions and pigmented lesions.The first IPL device was FDA approved in 1995, to treat dilated blood vessels called telangiectasia, aka spider veins.An IPL (intense pulsed light) photofacial is a versatile skin rejuvenation treatment.
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