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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment, also known as a photofacial, is a generally safe and effective treatment for a variety of cosmetic skin concerns.
Read on to learn more about the uses of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment, its effectiveness, and what you can expect during and after a session.
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.
For the treatment, you should seek a board-certified dermatologist (you might see the letters FAAD — Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology — after their name). In some cases, a nurse or physician assistant might be able to do it. Either way, find someone who’s skilled in IPL therapy.
IPL uses light energy to target a certain color in your skin.
IPL is a type of laser therapy used to enhance and brighten your complexion by treating skin concerns and stimulating your body’s production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that helps give structure to your skin, among other things.
Usually, IPL therapy targets your face, neck, chest, arms, and hands — though it’s possible to treat all areas.
IPL treatments help enhance the appearance of skin damaged by factors such as:
Dermatologists use IPL laser treatments for conditions such as:
It enhances your skin’s firmness, elasticity, and pigmentation (coloring). It may also boost your body’s self-healing ability to regrow healthy skin.
IPL may also reduce the appearance of:
During your initial IPL consultation, a dermatologist will examine your skin to determine which areas to target. Then they’ll create a treatment plan involving multiple laser therapy sessions.
IPL treatments usually last around 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
During the procedure, the physician will apply a cooling gel to the treatment area and possibly a topical anesthetic. You’ll wear safety shields, goggles, or glasses to protect your eyes.
You may experience sensations, pulses, and mild pain. Your skin may feel slightly warm and appear slightly red, swollen, or sunburned.
IPL treatments use a broad spectrum of wavelengths to target your skin’s underlying layers. Your skin absorbs this light energy, which promotes collagen production and eliminates pigmented (darker) skin cells.
You can expect to see visible changes to your skin within a few days or weeks of your first IPLtreatment. As you continue treatments, you will notice more significant changes.
Before your IPL treatment, you need to prepare your skin. It’s important that your skin is not tanned. Avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds for 4 to 6 weeks before and after each session.
Don’t use sunless tanner for at least 2 weeks before your treatment. For at least 1 week before IPL, avoid waxing, chemical peels, and products containing retinol, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid.
Talk with your doctor to make sure it’s safe to stop taking any prescribed medications that cause photosensitivity, which is extreme sensitivity to UV light. If you have frequent cold sores, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication a few days before your session.
If you have insurance, know that IPL is usually not covered. It may be helpful to arrange a payment plan ahead of time.
After IPL, you’ll be able to get home from your appointment on your own and resume your daily activities. For at least 48 hours following IPL treatment, avoid anything that causes sweating or flushing. This includes exercise, hot temperatures, and saunas. Refrain from consuming alcohol and spicy foods.
You can expect to see noticeable changes to your skin within a few days. Blemishes and blood vessels will usually clear up within a few weeks.
Within 2 weeks of your first treatment, your skin may feel smoother and appear more even and bright. You may see fewer discolorations, fine lines, and pores.
The physician performing the procedure will recommend how many IPL treatments you’ll need. They’ll base the number of treatments on your:
Usually, you’ll need to have three to six IPL treatments spaced a few weeks apart. After that, dermatolgists generally advise having at least two treatments per year to maintain and improve your results.
Several studies point to the effectiveness of IPL in improving the appearance of skin. A small 2019 studyTrusted Source examined the effects of 5 IPL treatments every 2 weeks and found that IPL is a safe and mildly effective method for reducing enlarged facial pores.
Another small 2019 study Trusted Source found that three IPL treatment settings were effective in tightening skin. All three techniques showed improvements in zygomatic (cheekbone) wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines.
Research from 2020 Trusted Source suggests that IPL safely and effectively improves the appearance of senile purpura and prevents new lesions. IPL treatments increase the thickness of your epidermis (outer layer of skin) and improve collagen and elasticity, which enhances the skin’s structure.
IPL laser therapy is a generally safe and effective treatment that can help address various skin concerns, especially those related to skin appearance, with minimal discomfort.
You should be able to see skin changes after your first IPL treatment. However, you’ll usually need to have multiple treatments to achieve your desired outcome
To maximize results, take care of your skin before and after each session.
Talk with a physician to see if IPL is suitable for your skin. You can discuss your concerns, desired results, and financial options before creating a treatment plan.
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