Intense pulsed light (IPL) uses lower (safer) yet more targeted energies to the skin tissue with minimal or no discomfort. IPL involves a series of pulses over the treatment surface, which penetrates the skin layers and is absorbed by the blood vessels or by unwanted dark pigmentation (including pigment in hair follicles). The energy is absorbed by the vessel or pigment much more than the skin. Natural healing afterwards is able to reduce the unwanted lesion.
IPL does not involve irritants such as chemicals or radiation, as with some laser or radiofrequency resurfacing machines. Also, since IPL does not require topical anesthetics, although a cold pack is nice to use after therapy. Larger areas can be treated at one time than with laser treatment. There should be no downtime with IPL.
Treatments can take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how much skin is treated. A plan of 3 to 5 sessions is typical. While some patients see significant improvement in just 2 or 3 treatments, others may require more. It is mandatory to limit sun exposure for several weeks before and especially after treatment and be committed to daily sunscreen use.
Similar to other technologies, such as lasers, hair removal is an excellent application for IPL, especially for pigmented hair on less pigmented skin.
Case 1: This basic case illustrates correction of unsightly brown age spots on the face after several IPL sessions.
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| Side view before therapy | Side view after therapy |
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| Front view before therapy | Front view after therapy |
Case 2: Many faces have multiple problems, mostly from aging or sun damage or both. IPL is versatile in being able to address numerous problems simultaneously.
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| Sun damaged face before therapy | Corrected skin tone after IPL |
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