IPL Treatment
What Is IPL Treatment?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, also known as a photo facial, is a way to improve the color and texture of your skin without surgery. It can undo some of the visible damage caused by sun exposure -- called photoaging. You may notice it mostly on your face, neck, hands, or chest.
IPL may help if you have red, brown, or splotchy skin because of a health condition.
How IPL Treatments Work
IPL uses light energy to target a certain color in your skin. When the skin is heated, your body gets rid of the unwanted cells, and that gets rid of the issue you’re being treated for. It can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time.
After IPL, you may look younger because your skin tone is more even. And since the light doesn’t hurt other tissue, you can get better quickly.
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Cause: Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin is produced due to sun exposure,
hormonal changes, or aging.
How IPL Helps: The light energy targets melanin in the pigmented areas, breaking it down into
smaller particles.
These particles are then absorbed by the body's natural healing processes, fading discoloration
over time.
Results: A more even skin tone with noticeable improvements in areas of excess pigmentation
after 2-4 sessions.
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Cause: These issues arise from visible blood vessels near the skin's surface, often due to
genetics, aging, or environmental triggers.
How IPL Helps: The light energy is absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood, causing the targeted
vessels to coagulate
and gradually fade as the body reabsorbs them.
Results: Reduced redness and clearer skin in 1-3 treatments, depending on the severity of the
vascular condition.
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Cause: Acne is caused by excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation.
Scarring occurs when the skin's healing process is disrupted.
How IPL Helps:
- Active Acne: The light destroys acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) and reduces inflammation.
- Scarring: By stimulating collagen production, IPL minimizes the appearance of scars and improves skin texture.
Results: Fewer active breakouts, reduced redness, and smoother skin with consistent
treatments.
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Cause: Overactive blood vessels that cause chronic redness and sensitivity.
How IPL Helps: The light targets and reduces the size of visible blood vessels, minimizing redness and restoring the skin's natural tone.
Results: A noticeable reduction in redness with 2-4 treatments.
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Cause: Enlarged pores, rough skin, or dullness from aging, sun damage, or acne scars.
How IPL Helps: By boosting collagen production, IPL smoothens the skin surface and improves overall tone and clarity.
Results: Smoother, more radiant skin with improved texture after 3-5 sessions.
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Cause: Collagen breakdown due to aging and environmental factors such as UV exposure.
How IPL Helps: By delivering heat energy to the deeper layers of the skin, IPL stimulates collagen production,improving elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Results: Firmer, younger-looking skin after 3-5 sessions, depending on individual skin conditions.
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It works best if you have pale or light brown skin. Talk to your dermatologist if you want to lessen or get rid of:
Acne
Birthmarks, stretch marks, scars
Broken blood vessels
Brown spots, also called liver or age spots
Dark spots from hormonal changes
Discolored skin
Fine wrinkles
Freckles
Redness from rosacea
Spider veins
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Talk to your doctor first if you:
Are pregnant
Have a skin condition
Have a sunburn
Take medication for other conditions such as blood thinners or the acne drug isotretinoin, better known as Accutane
IPL isn’t a good idea if you:
Are sensitive to light
Have recently tanned your skin using sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning creams
Might have skin cancer
Use a retinoid cream
Are very dark-skinned
Have a skin resurfacing disorder
Have severe scarring
Have keloid scar tissue
On the day of your appointment, avoid using perfume, makeup, and scented products that can irritate your skin.
Does IPL cause cancer?
Research shows that IPL is safe and does not cause cancer. IPL has been used for over 30 years without raising concerns about increasing the risk of skin or other types of cancer.
Season
Duration
Recovery
30+ min
Sep - May
73 hours