IPL treatment, also known as intense pulsed light therapy, photofacial, or photorejuvenation, can target multiple skin concerns, ranging from sun spots and pigmentation to hair removal.
It can be used not only on the face but also on the chest, hands, underarms, and so on. It can help in tackling skin problems, that cannot be treated with topicals effectively.
Table of Contents
What is IPL therapy?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light which is a non-invasive light therapy that can help to treat several skin conditions. It does not involve any damage to the top layer of the skin.
How does it work?
IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to target certain cells of our skin. This light goes deep into the dermis (deeper layer of skin) without affecting the epidermis or top layer of skin on our face.
The light energy is converted to heat which targets the unwanted cells or components in the skin. These unwanted cells can be excess pigment, hair follicles, or abnormal blood vessels. This energy can also result in the formation of collagen.
IPL treatment is non-ablative as the top layer of the skin is not damaged. This comes with the advantage that there is a shorter recovery period.
Benefits
IPL can help in the treatment of several skin concerns on the face:
- Melasma
- Vascular lesions
- Rosacea
- Sun damage
- Age spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Hair removal
- Stretch marks
- Dark Spots
- Acne
- Broken capillaries
Who should not get it
Some people may not be suitable candidates for an IPL treatment like:
- Someone having an active inflammatory skin condition
- Prone to keloid
- Have darker skin tones
- Have a recent sunburn
- Taking medications that can increase the chance of bleeding
- If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor
Discuss with a skin care specialist to see if IPL treatment is a suitable procedure for you.
Before treatment
Your dermatologist or skin care specialist will usually examine your skin to make sure you are the right candidate for the treatment.
You will be given specific instructions on what things to avoid around 2 weeks before the procedure.
The following things should be avoided:
- Topical retinoids include retinol, retinal, retinol esters, adapalene, and prescription retinoids like tretinoin and tazarotene
- Topical exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, etc.
- Chemical peels
- Waxing
- Excessive sun exposure
- Tanning
- Collagen injections
- Avoids drugs that can increase the chances of bleeding like ibuprofen, aspirin
- Avoid direct application of skin irritants before or after treatment like perfumes, deodorants, makeup
If you have any skin condition or have any other questions, make sure to talk with the dermatologist or specialist before the IPL treatment.
Procedure
The area that is going to get the treatment is cleaned. A cooling gel is applied to the area. After this, pulses of light are applied to the area with a handheld device.
You may feel a sensation of pinch or rubber/elastic band snapping on the skin. It usually takes less than 30 minutes for a session but it can take longer to treat larger areas.
Throughout the whole treatment, you have to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes.
Depending on what the IPL treatment is intended for, the sessions may vary. Usually, it’s 3-6 sessions every 4 weeks. Hair removal requires more sessions around 6-12.
Recovery
The advantage of this treatment is there is very little downtime so you can return to your normal activities.
Just after the treatment, the skin can look red or pink. You may feel like you have a mild sunburn for a few hours. There might be some swelling that can take some days to disappear completely.
- While your skin is healing, avoid the use of any skin irritants.
- Avoid putting makeup on for 24 hours or until the redness and stinging sensation are completely gone.
- Make sure to use a moisturizer on the treated skin twice daily while the treatments are going on or for 3 months after the last treatment.
- Protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
- If a chemical sunscreen stings, use a physical or mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Follow all the instructions given by your dermatologist or specialist on taking care of the treated skin.
Side effects
Like every procedure, IPL treatment comes with some risks and side effects. It includes:
- Infection
- Bruising
- Skin discoloration or uneven skin color patches
- Blistering
- Bleeding
- Scarring
Cost
The cost of IPL will depend on what the treatment was for and also on the size of the treated area.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average pricing or cost of an IPL treatment was between $400 – $450 in the year 2020. There might be additional fees for testing, additional visits, and so on. The fees will also vary between different areas and states.
Make sure to check with your own skincare specialist for the final cost of your procedure.
The IPL treatment is considered as a cosmetic procedure so most healthcare insurance may not cover it. Some clinics have payment plans that you can look into.
Does it work?
How well IPL works depends on the condition that is being treated, the type of machine used, and how well an individual’s skin responds to the treatment. Some people may need several sessions before they start seeing effects.
For hair removal, darker hair responds better to IPL treatment as compared to lighter hair.
IPL has been shown to be effective in the treatment of telangiectasia and erythema in rosacea patients. Studies suggest that it can improve photodamaged skin. There are some small studies suggesting the beneficial role of IPL for acne.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sessions are quick.
- Fast recovery as there is no damage to the top layer of the skin.
Cons
- Can be painful.
- Multiple sessions are needed.
- May not work on lighter hair and darker skin tones.
Difference between Intense Pulsed Light and Laser
IPL and laser treatment work very similarly. They use the same principle of converting light to heat energy. However, lasers use a single wavelength of light and IPL uses a range of different wavelengths.
The light from the laser is more specific to the target while light from IPL is more diffuse or scattered.
IPL is often considered more painful and requires more sessions as compared to laser. In addition, IPL doesn’t work well for darker skin tones.
Alternatives
1. Microdermabrasion
This procedure involves the use of tiny rough particles to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. It can be beneficial for dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. This is relatively cheaper, however, the results do not last long.
The average cost of a session of microdermabrasion is $167 (2020 Statistics Report, American Society of Plastic Surgeons). This does not include any related or additional expenses.
2. Chemical peels
This involves the use of chemical solutions like high-strength acids to get rid of the outer dead skin layers. This can result in a smooth appearance of skin and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The average cost of a chemical peel is $519 (2020 statistics report, American Society of Plastic Surgeons). This does not include any related or additional expenses.
3. Lasers
There are different types of laser therapies. It can be either ablative or nonablative.
Ablative laser therapy (mainly used for facial rejuvenation) involves the removal of the top layer of skin while non-ablative therapy (mainly used for hair removal and broken capillaries) penetrates deep into the dermis without affecting the top layer of skin.
The costs will vary depending on the type of laser, procedure, and area treated.
Summary
Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL Treatment) is a cosmetic procedure that can help in targeting multiple skin concerns like rosacea, photodamaged skin, hair removal, redness, and so on. It can have some side effects.
Make sure to discuss with a skin care specialist whether you are the right candidate for this procedure. It may not work well for light-colored hair or darker skin tones. One may need several sessions depending on what the procedure is intended to treat.
It is important to follow certain precautions or guidelines given by the treating specialist before and after the procedure for the best results.
References
- Goldberg DJ. Current trends in intense pulsed light. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Jun;5(6):45-53. PMID: 22768357; PMCID: PMC3390232.
- Laser/Light therapy. (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery).
- Intense pulsed light therapy for aging skin. (American Society for Dermatologic Surgery).
- Nagan V. (2005). Intense pulsed light therapy. (Derm Net NZ).
- Wang CC, Hui CY, Sue YM, Wong WR, Hong HS. Intense pulsed light for the treatment of refractory melasma in Asian persons. Dermatol Surg. 2004 Sep;30(9):1196-200. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30371.x. PMID: 15355358.
- Sasaya H, Kawada A, Wada T, Hirao A, Oiso N. Clinical effectiveness of intense pulsed light therapy for solar lentigines of the hands. Dermatol Ther. 2011 Nov-Dec;24(6):584-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2012.01426.x. PMID: 22515674.
- Alster TS, Tanzi EL. Effect of a novel low-energy pulsed-light device for home-use hair removal. Dermatol Surg. 2009 Mar;35(3):483-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01089.x. PMID: 19292837.
- Clementoni MT, Gilardino P, Muti GF, Signorini M, Pistorale A, Morselli PG, Cavina C. Intense pulsed light treatment of 1,000 consecutive patients with facial vascular marks. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2006 Mar-Apr;30(2):226-32. doi: 10.1007/s00266-005-0086-0. PMID: 16547627.
- Microdermabrasion – How much does microdermabrasion cost? (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
- Chemical peel – How much does chemical peel cost? (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.