Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment

IPL is similar to a laser treatment. However, IPL releases light of many different wavelengths, like a photo flash. A laser focuses just one wavelength of light at your skin. This allows the laser to penetrates down to the second layer of skin without damaging the top layer.

Pigment cells in your skin that are darker and show up as sun spots absorb the light energy of the IPL. The energy is converted into heat that destroys the unwanted pigment to clear up freckles and other spots caused by age or the damaging rays of the sun. IPL can also be used to destroy the hair follicle and prevent or hinder the hair from growing again.

You can use IPL anywhere on your body, but it works best on people who have darker skin tones. It also works best on eliminating or reducing unwanted darker hair.

Before your IPL procedure, your Trilogy skin care specialist will examine your skin and let you know what to expect. She will review any skin conditions that might affect healing after your treatment, such as inflammatory acne or eczema.

You will be advised to avoid sun, tanning beds, chemical peels, and waxing. Also avoid aspirin and ibuprofen products such as Advil® or certain creams or products that contain vitamin A or glycolic acid.

Your Trilogy skin care specialist will first clean the area that’s being treated. A cool alcohol gel will be applied to your skin. You’ll be asked to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes. Then she will apply the IPL treatment with an IPL device that shoots light pulses on to your skin. Some patients describe the pulses as a slight sting or like being snapped with a rubber band. Numbing cream may be used if you have sensitive skin.

Depending on which part of your body is being treated and how large the area is, the treatment takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Results vary from person to person and depend largely upon your skin tone, the health of your skin and other factors. To get the best results you may need to have between three to six treatments spaced about one month apart to let your skin heal in between. Hair removal typically requires 6 to 12 treatments.

Most patients experience mild redness or swelling after the procedure which typically fades within a day or two.

In some cases, you may also experience bruising, blistering, change in skin color, or in rare cases infection.

The treated area of skin will be red and sensitive for a few hours, similar to a sunburn. Your skin may be slightly swollen for a few hours and sensitive for a couple of days after the procedure. Avoid using hot water on the treated area until your skin heals. Most patients are able to go right back to their regular activities immediately following their IPL treatment.