What is IPL photo rejuvenation treatment?
IPLs have been around since the 1960s, and their use ranges from treating pigmented and vascular lesions to hair removal. IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is like a laser but works with multiple wavelengths instead of just one. Lasers by definition are single wavelengths devises, like the red light that comes out of your laser pointer. IPLs are more like a flashlight with a full range of wavelengths of light. The term “photo rejuvenation” is a catch-all term that can cover just about any light based procedure that is used to make you look younger.
IPL is a non-invasive treatment that can treat skin with disrupting the skin’s surface, hence, the “no down time”. Depending on the symtoms to be treated, it may take several treatments, usually four to six are necessary and are performed three to four weeks apart. More aggressive IPL treatments at higher power levels are available that produce some temporary crusting and/or bruising of the skin.
In preparation for a treatment, you must not be tan on the treated areas, avoiding self-tanners for at least two weeks prior to your appointment. And, the areas must be clean and free of make-up. After the IPL, your skin will appear red for several hours. And you may also develop a brown, freckled appearance like “coffee grinds”. The advantages of the IPL are that it doesn’t require a local anesthetic due to minimal pain and a larger area can be treated at one time. The disadvantages are that it takes a lot longer to take effect, approximately 4–6 treatments.
IPL Pros:
- Very good at decreasing brown pigment like sun spots for people with light or fair skin
- Good for generalize redness like that of Rosacea
- Treatment are normally modest in price (about $300-$500 for a full face per session and it takes 4–6 sessions for the full effect)
- Limited down time: brown spots turn darker until they break-up after about 10–14 days
- Doesn’t require a local anesthetic due to minimal pain
IPL Cons:
- It can takes a few treatments to take effect, approximately 4–6 treatments
Does IPL work?
With an experienced dermatologist or medical spa, IPL can be effective on patients with pigmented age spots and/or redness.
How much does IPL cost?
About $300-$500 for a full face per session and it takes 4–6 sessions for the full effect
Can I do IPL at home?
Depending on what you want to be treated. Recently, products have been invented to take the power of the dermatologist clinic laser into the the home for at home, weekly treatments. Think of this as mini versions of dermatologist treatment broken up into tiny, at home treatment snacks.
One such product is the Claro SX. It also comes in a more powerful version that needs a prescription. Check out our review here and their webpage here.
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In relation to IPL Cons:
Any quality (but non MD) IPL service provider will request their client to have an appointment with their doctor in order to make sure there are no suspicious skin lesions on the areas requiring treatment. This should be done before IPL skin rejuvenation treatment can go ahead and should also be supported by a letter from the doctor.
IPL skin rejuvenation is great for reduction of redness, capillaries, improving texture and color of the skin and getting rid of pigmented spots (age spots/sun spots).
There is a lot of info on the treatments available all over the web as well as here IPL Facial Rejuvenation
If you are considering this amazing treatment please go to your doctor first and obtain a letter clearing you for treatment as when all pigment is removed from a lesion and it blends in with your natural skin tone it can delay diagnosis (if the lesion was a bad one).
Most people will see a significant improvement after just one session and in many cases only 3–4 sessions are required.