4 Things to Know About Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

Did you know that strong pulses of light can reduce signs of aging, skin discoloration, diminish pore size, and more? At Alazzo, we use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy to treat many of our patients’ skincare needs. Let’s go over how IPL works, what it treats, and what you can expect during and after the treatment:

  1. How Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy works

IPL targets color in the skin through a hand-held device that emits an intense, pulsing beam of light. The heat from the light rids the skin of unwanted cells, targeting broken blood vessels and irregular pigmentation. The device used for IPL emits a broad spectrum of wavelengths (colors) and can be used with various filters to target specific areas. 

Before you begin a treatment, one of our professional staff members will meet with you to evaluate your skin and discuss your concerns and desired outcome. This consultation will give us the information we need to create a skincare plan formulated specifically for your needs. Many clients book a series of five treatments spaced four weeks apart, coupled with microdermabrasion treatments to help propel the results by removing dead skin cells. However, depending on your skin, you may be able to have an accelerated program. Did you know…

  1. Several skin conditions can be treated with IPL Therapy

In addition to evening out skin tone, reducing wrinkles, and diminishing sun damage, IPL Therapy can also treat liver spots, rosacea, and melasma.

Liver spots are flat discolored circles on the skin that typically show up on sun-exposed skin as a person ages.

Rosacea is a common skin condition, particularly seen in fair-skinned women, that causes redness in the face. This condition can be very uncomfortable and unpleasant, as small pus-filled bumps appear on affected areas after being triggered by anything from stress, sunlight, spicy foods, and more.

Melasma is a skin condition that causes dark patches of discoloration to occur on the face, though it can also appear on other areas of the body. It’s most commonly seen in women.

  1. What you can expect during IPL Therapy

We schedule IPL appointments for one hour, but some clients require longer if we’re treating a large area of skin. If you’re coupling your treatment with microdermabrasion, your treatment plan will include half an hour of microdermabrasion, to remove dead skin cells and allow for a deeper penetration of light therapy. Combining these two services creates spectacular results!

Are you curious about what IPL feels like? During the session, you will wear a pair of black-out glasses to protect you from the bright light. You may feel a warm sensation as heat from the light builds on your skin. Some people experience a slight pinch or snapping sensation (like a rubber band), but overall most clients find the treatment to be tolerable.

  1. What you can expect after IPL Therapy

You can return to work and resume normal activity immediately after receiving IPL! You might notice your skin having a pink glow immediately after the treatment. Light makeup can be applied to the skin, as well as a cool compress if you find your skin is warm to the touch. Protect your skin after IPL by using an SPF 35 on a daily basis. We will also recommend a skincare regimen designed for your specific skin type, so you can experience the best results possible from your IPL therapy.

We look forward to serving you!