If you’re involved in skincare in any way, or are just curious about keeping your skin healthy and well-kept, IPL may already be on your radar.
There are a ton of up-and-coming skin rejuvenation treatments out there and IPL is definitely one to keep your eye on. For those of you looking for a great new procedure to keep your skin young, healthy, and glowing, look no further than IPL.
What is IPL?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, but you may have also heard of it referred to as a “photofacial.”
Essentially, this is a treatment in which your provider uses a device with broadband light in order to improve several facial conditions, including rosacea, sun spots, hair removal, and even overall skin texture as well as more that we’ll cover below.
How does IPL work?
IPL works much like lasers do, but with less recovery time and initial discomfort. Intense pulsed light therapy works by delivering light wavelengths deep into the skin in areas of concern in order to alter them.
Unlike lasers, IPL doesn’t actually damage the top layer of skin, since the light can penetrate the dermis (deeper skin tissue) without actually affecting the epidermis (top layer). This means there is far less downtime with IPL than with a laser treatment, though the initial impact from a laser may seem more drastic.
What does IPL treat?
Intense pulsed laser therapy can be used for a number of wide-ranging skin conditions.
Among them are:
- Dark spots
- Rough skin texture
- Uneven skin tone
- Freckles
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Vascular lesions like port wine stains, broken facial veins, rosacea, and more
- Hair removal (dark hair)
Is IPL better than laser?
This entirely depends on your skin condition and goals for how you’d like your recovery to be. Many would argue that IPL is better because it can target the deepest layers without harming the top layer of skin, whereas lasers affect both, leading to a longer recovery time.
It’s really up to you and your dermatologist to determine what the best course of action would be for your unique skin concerns.
How long does IPL take to heal?
The healing time for IPL is much shorter than for most laser skin treatments. Usually, you’ll be able to use makeup after treatment, so long as the application and washing off are gentle.
You may experience bruising that heals in a week or so as well as darker freckles or age spots that will lighten in a few days.
Ultimately, you are free to go about your days as normal with only special attention paid to being gentle to your skin following the procedure.
IPL Results
After an IPL procedure, depending on your specific skin concerns treated, you can expect to have a more even skin tone, lighter freckles or dark marks, smoother skin texture, a brighter appearance, and fewer fine lines and reduced wrinkles.
Remember, individual results may vary based on your specific treatment.
Are you ready to give IPL a try? Book an appointment with us today!
