IPL (INTENSE PULSED LIGHT)

Though certain wavelengths of light, such as ultraviolet, cause damage to the skin, the careful application of specific wavelengths can have a beneficial effect. The technology that drives an IPL treatment pairs this light with other forms of energy to achieve visible results without surgery or the need for down time for recovery and recuperation.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is also known as a photofacial. This is a type of light therapy that passes through the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and targets the middle or second layer of skin directly to improve the color and texture of your skin. The light targets certain colors and helps your body get rid of unwanted cells.

Skin rejuvenation treatments with IPL enhance the skin pigmentation, skin texture, and overall complexion. The result is a more even and youthful-looking skin tone. IPL can improve the appearance of many types of cosmetic concerns or skin irregularities such as sunspots, fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, freckles, melasma, redness, and an uneven skin tone and texture.

IPL treatments are particularly effective for reducing red and brown pigment in the skin. They can reduce pigmentation or skin tone irregularities like sun damage, brown spots, and certain types of birthmarks, along with vascular lesions, rosacea, and visible blood vessels such as broken capillaries and spider veins.

Intense pulsed light works best for minor skin imperfections. It can be helpful for patients who have red, brown, or splotchy lesions on the skin, or chronic conditions such as rosacea. It is not recommended for those who are pregnant, sensitive to light, have recently tanned their skin or applied fake tan, might have skin cancer, use retinoid cream, have a very dark skin tone, or have a skin resurfacing disorder, severe scarring, or keloid scar tissue. There is a higher risk of hypopigmentation—a loss of color on the skin that causes patches that are lighter than the normal skin tone—for those with darker skin tones.

IPL is not the same thing as laser skin resurfacing. It’s actually a less invasive alternative. Since IPL causes less damage to the surface of the skin, there is less peeling, scabbing, and flaking during the healing process.

Both IPL and laser skin resurfacing are light-based therapies, and they work similarly, but there are also some major differences between them. The most suitable option for you will depend on factors such as how you feel about time commitment, recovery, results, and price.

Lasers give off a concentrated or focused pulse of light that penetrates more deeply into the skin compared to intense pulsed light. IPL uses multiple pulses or wavelengths of light that target a range of conditions at the same time. Intense pulsed light treatments are less powerful compared to laser skin resurfacing, but they have many advantages, such as causing less discomfort in comparison to lasers, having almost no downtime, and shorter sessions because the device can cover a larger surface area.

Though it is not a surgical procedure, IPL is still a treatment that requires education so patients are aware of its unique features and can be sure they are making the choice that is right for them. Men and women considering this treatment will first meet with a member of The Waldorf Center team to get questions answered and determine whether IPL is the ideal option to get the desired results. Patients will learn what the procedure entails, what it can and can’t do for skin, and what to expect before, during, and after the treatment.

The IPL laser is capable of treating a number of skin issues. It utilizes intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency energy to maximize treatments. By utilizing different settings, this treatment can deliver energy into the skin, where it is absorbed by areas with darker pigment, which can greatly reduce brown spots and the redness from rosacea. It can also collapse little red vessels (sometimes referred to as spider veins) that are unnecessary for proper circulation and can draw unwanted attention on a person’s face. There are also skin-tightening settings that can improve the skin tone of the face for a special event.*

Note that the treatment can feel like small rubber band snaps and is performed without numbing cream. Depending on your skin’s condition and your goals, one or multiple treatments may be recommended to give you the improvement of skin appearance you desire. Whatever the number, this treatment is well tolerated and requires no downtime afterward.