Intense Pulsed Light is similar to laser treatment, but while a laser focuses just one wavelength of light at the skin, IPL releases scattered light of many different wavelengths, like a photo flash.
IPL penetrates down to the second layer of the skin (dermis) without harming the top layer (epidermis), so it causes less damage to the skin during treatment.
What it does:
- IPS treats wrinkles, spots, and unwanted hair.
- IPL can be used to minimize or remove age spots, sun damages, freckles, birthmarks, varicose veins, broken blood vessels on the face, and rosacea.
What to do before the procedure:
- Before the IPL procedure, the skin care specialist will examine the patient’s skin and let them know what to expect.
- Patients must let their skin care specialist know if they have any skin conditions that might affect healing after treatment, such as inflammatory acne or eczema.
- The skin care specialist may recommend that patients avoid certain activities, medications, and other products for two weeks prior to the procedure.
What to expect during the procedure:
- During the treatment, patients will need to wear dark glasses to protect their eyes.
- The following steps will be followed: (1) The skin of the area being treated will be cleaned, (2) a cool gel will be applied to the skin, and (3) light pulses from the IPL device will be applied to the skin.
- The pulses might sting the skin, some people liken the feeling to being snapped with a rubber band.
- Depending on which part of the body is being treated and how large the area is, the treatment should take 20 to 30 minutes.
What to expect after the treatment?
- The treated area of skin will be red and sensitive for a few hours, as if it got sunburned, in addition to this it might be slightly swollen. However, patients can go back to regular activities right away.
- The treated skin will continue to be sensitive for a couple of days after the procedure and patients may need to avoid using hot water on it until the skin heals.
How many treatments will I need?
- To get the best result, patients may need to have three to six treatments.
- The treatments should be spaced about one month apart to let the skin heal in between.
