IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Improve pigment problems, reduce general redness, stimulate collagen and elasticity, and reduce hair growth, all with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments.

Does your skin have sun damage, some red and brown areas, and some fine lines? IPL treatments address all of these problems simultaneously. Collagen stimulation reduces the appearance of pore size and fine lines, while the light range targets the redness seen with rosacea and the brown pigment of sunspots and melasma.

Another advantage of IPL treatments is that they can be done anywhere on the body, although they can't be performed on everybody. A limitation of IPL is that because it's so pigment-selective, the treatments can't be done on dark or tanned skin, or it may cause burns.

IPL devices are not lasers; they deliver a range of wavelengths rather than a single wavelength. This range of wavelengths can be filtered further to customize treatments.

Certain light wavelengths are attracted to certain colors, heating them up preferentially. An example is how on a sunny day, a black street feels very hot to your feet compared to a white sidewalk. When an IPL is used with a filter that allows wavelengths of light that target pigment color, it heats up brown spots more than surrounding lighter tissue, causing the darker pigment to flake or fade. Other wavelengths of light target redness, or the dark pigment in hair follicles best.

IPL treatments and skin color

Since IPL treatments for brown spots target brown pigmentation if you have a tan or have used a self-tanner, the IPL won’t be able to tell the difference between the color on your skin and the pigmentation you want to fade. It will prevent the energy from passing deep into the skin to target the brown spots and will instead be targeting your skin. It can also lead to blisters, scars, and hypo/hyperpigmentation of the skin. Even a tan that's barely visible can make the difference between a good result and potential complications.

If you know you’re going to tan or be in the sun, it’s best to wait 4-6 weeks after tanning to have an IPL procedure in order to make sure the tan is gone. With self-tanners, it's best to wait at least two weeks before your IPL treatment.

Get more information on the different forms of IPL, below. At Skinspirations, IPL treatments start at $200 and depend on the size of the area treated.

If you'd like to learn more about if IPL is a good treatment option for you, give us a call at 727 571-1923 or email us at info@skinspirations.com.