Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment: What to Expect

As you get older, sun blemishes, redness, freckles, and other signs of patchy skin tone and texture start to appear. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy can treat these skin issues and give your skin a fresh start. Even if you are young, you can improve your skin’s health with IPL treatments.

What Is IPL Treatment?

This is a non-surgical cosmetic laser skin treatment that improves the texture and color of the skin. It can reverse the signs of aging, visible signs of sun damage, and sunspots, reduce the appearance of scars and spider veins, and diminish acne.  These treatments can be used on any area of the body, such as the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, etc.

How IPL Works

IPL uses several wavelengths of light energy to target and heal damaged skin cells and remove unwanted pigment and help to build collagen.  The heat from the intense light breaks down the skin cells, and the body removes the damaged tissue naturally.

What IPL Treats

People use IPL treatment for various skin issues such as:
 

• Acne
   

• Hyperpigmentation, including freckles, age, and sunspots.
   

• Rosacea, an inflammatory condition where facial blood cells widen, giving the face a red or flushed appearance.
   

• Scars.
   

• Spider veins.
   

• Stretch marks.
   

• Sun damage, freckling, or darkening of skin because of overexposure to UV light.
   

• Vascular lesions, port wine stains (birthmarks).
   

• Inflammation associated with Dry Eye Disease.

What to Expect 

Here is what you can expect before, during, and after IPL treatment.

Before Treatment

Before undergoing an IPL treatment, your doctor will check whether you are a good candidate for the treatment. You are a good candidate for IPL if you have minor skin issues such as dark spots, blotchy or uneven skin tone and texture, redness or rosacea. But the treatment may not be a good idea if you have recently used a retinol cream, are currently taking photosensitizing medications, or have a darker skin tone because of the possibility of hypopigmentation.

Once your doctor determines that you are a good candidate for IPL therapy, he or she will ask you to avoid certain things a few weeks before the procedure. This includes sunbathing, tanning, waxing, using chemical peels, and collagen injections. 

During Treatment

During treatment, your provider will have you wear safety goggles and apply a thin layer of lotion prior to performing light therapy treatment.  Some people may find that it feels like an elastic band is being snapped and a topical numbing cream can be used to help with discomfort.  Most people find the discomfort is minimal.

After Treatment

Immediately after and for about four to six hours after your treatment, your skin may feel like you have a sunburn. A cold compress can help ease that discomfort. Also, your skin may appear red for one or two days, and your brown marks may become darker before they come off within a couple of weeks.

Avoid using makeup, perfumes, or deodorant on the treated area 24 hours post-procedure. Your aesthetics provider will tell you when you can resume your skincare routine.

For more on what to expect from intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, visit Perceptions Eye Health & Wellness at our office in Southport, North Carolina. You can also call (910) 400-1215 today to book an appointment.