IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Uneven skin tone is a common aesthetic problem we all notice as we age—especially if we have an active lifestyle out in the sun! After years of unprotected sun exposure, you will notice brown spots, freckles, sun spots. You may also notice unwanted vessels around your nose or rosacea on your cheeks. These common concerns can now be removed and you can reveal your glowing complexion with intense pulsed light, or IPL, skin treatments.

What can IPL treat?

This skin revitalization method is ideal for reducing the appearance of pigment on your face, chest, or hands. Pigmentary irregularities that we often use IPL to treat include:

• Age spots
• Sun damage
• Freckles
• Birthmarks

IPL is also the perfect solution for unwanted blood vessels on your face including spider veins, broken vessels or rosacea (redness/flushing of the cheeks). In just a few quick treatment sessions, you will see a reduction in the appearance of brown spots and vessels—leaving you with a more even skin tone and beautiful looking skin! IPL can be done alone or incorporated over time into a skin treatment plan with other highly effective treatments, like a HydraFacial or microneedling.

IPL utilizes optimized pulsed light technology which, unlike lasers, uses many wavelengths of light with special filters that deliver the best wavelengths to treat specific aesthetic conditions. As the handpiece glides over the area being treated, specialized pulses of light are delivered into your skin and target brown spots, sun-damage and vessels without causing harm to the surrounding skin.

Once these targets absorb the energy they are destroyed and will slowly disappear through your body’s natural healing process. You will see your brown spots turn darker in color and flake off over the next few weeks. You may also see an immediate improvement in your vessels with a continued clearance over the next few weeks.

Shannon O’Brien, Medical Esthetician

Medical esthetician Shannon O’Brien has nearly 20 years of experience offering luxury medical spa services. Whether you need a relaxing facial or expert help with skin concerns like acne or wrinkles, she is here to help you achieve your best skin ever with treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, and laser skin resurfacing.

Meet our esthetician

What to expect on the day of treatment

Before the optimized pulsed light handpiece is used, a lotion is applied to your skin where you will receive treatment. You will also be provided eye shields to protect yourself from the light during treatment.

The treatment will begin with the provider guiding the IPL handpiece over the treatment area. You will feel cooling while the handpiece is gliding over the treatment area to provide a comfortable session. You may also feel a slight rubber-band like snapping when the energy is being delivered into your skin which disappears almost immediately however, a warm sensation after the treatment is common. Depending on the size of the area, treatments can take just minutes.

After the treatment, the lotion will be removed and a cooling gel may be applied to your skin.

What do I need to know before my IPL treatment?

Before you schedule your laser skin revitalization appointment, you’ll need to plan for the following:

• Remove all make-up and lotions prior to the treatment.
• At least 4 weeks prior to your appointment, discontinue unprotected sun exposure, tanning beds and tanning creams on the areas receiving treatment.

Post-treatment instructions for skin revitalization

For a few days after your treatment, you may feel like you have a mild sunburn, but can resume your normal day to day activities immediately following treatment. Just protect your skin from the sun and avoid any harsh or irritant products, and know what to expect:

• Immediately after the treatment, it is common to feel a mild sunburn-like sensation around the treatment site, which typically lasts 2-24 hours. Redness and/or swelling may accompany this and usually resolves in 2-3 days.
• Avoid sun exposure on the treated area and use a sunscreen SPF 45 or greater at all times throughout the course of treatment.
• The pigment may initially look raised or darker with a reddened perimeter. The pigment will gradually turn darker over the next few days and begin crusting and eventually flaking off of the skin from day 7-21.
• Any treated blood vessels may undergo immediate graying or blanching, or they may exhibit a slight purple or red color change. The vessels will fully or partially fade in about 10-14 days.

Dr. Claytor discusses IPL facial lightening for RealSelf patient

Frequently asked questions about IPL laser treatment

Philadelphia board certified plastic surgeon Dr. R. Brannon Claytor, our experienced physican assistant Julie Holesh, and our knowledgeable esthetician are here to help you achieve the skin of your dreams! We serve patients from Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Main Line, and the surrounding areas.

To learn if IPL treatment is right for you, schedule your consultation today by calling our Bryn Mawr office at (610) 527-4833 or contacting us online. We look forward to helping you shine in your best skin ever.

Areas Served:

• Bryn Mawr
• Philadelphia
• Main Line

Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Oct 22, 2024