IPL

What skin imperfections can IPL treat?

Intense pulsed light therapy treats a number of common skin conditions. These include:

• Age spots
• Freckles
• Broken blood vessels on your face
• Rosacea
• Sun damage

Discuss your skin concerns with Renew Aesthetic Medicine and Wellness and they can help you understand if IPL is right for you.

What should I expect during an IPL treatment?

During an IPL treatment, you receive a deep cleansing of the area of your skin to be treated and then a cooling gel is applied over the skin. You wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from the light.

Your provider then applies light pulses from the IPL wand to your skin. You may feel some slight stinging or snapping during treatment, but most people tolerate it well.

Each treatment session lasts about 20-30 minutes, depending on the area being addressed.

How much downtime is necessary following intense pulsed light therapy?

Most people can go back to their regular activities following IPL therapy. You may have some mild redness or swelling following the procedure – much like a sunburn -- but this tends to fade within a day or two. You may feel some sensitivity and stay away from hot water until your skin heals. You should avoid direct sunlight after IPL treatment, too, and use sunscreen regularly to protect treated skin.

How many treatments with IPL will I need?

Renew Aesthetic Medicine will create an individualized treatment plan for you. In general, most people benefit from three to six total sessions spaced about four weeks apart.

How does intense pulsed light therapy differ from laser treatment?

The two treatments are similar, but with IPL, the light energy used to treat your skin is released in many different wavelengths instead of a singular wavelength. IPL doesn’t damage your outer layer of skin.

As a result, IPL treatment is scattered and less focused than a laser, which facilitates faster healing and less risk of complication. The light energy is absorbed by areas of uneven pigment, leading to their destruction.