IPL - Intense Pulse Light / Photofacial in Brandon, FL

What is an IPL Treatment?

IPL stands for “Intense Pulse Light” and is not a laser but a powerful light source that penetrates the skin at filtered depths to target melanin (sun damage) or our red blood cells (facial veins, redness, acne). IPL is a wonderful skin rejuvenation treatment with many benefits for our skin and provides more youthful and healthy-looking skin. Tone, texture, pore size, redness, pigmentation, sun damage and facial veins all can be improved as well as treatment/management of acne, rosacea, dryness and hair removal.

Frequently Asked Questions About IPL

What is the difference between IPL and laser?

IPL uses broad band light with a variety of wavelengths that can be used to treat the skin. Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. IPL works with a multitude of wavelengths and special filters are used to address a variety of skin conditions and the depth is most often more superficial than laser treatments. Lasers use a narrower wavelength or energy and people typically understand this better with the precise comparison to laser cutting or laser printing. Both energies are used when rejuvenating skin, but you must meet with an experienced clinician to determine which will bring the best results to correct or improve your concerns.

How many treatments will I need?

Typically, IPL is done in a series of 3-5 treatments depending on what we are specifically treating. You will see a difference after one treatment, but most patients really start to see the wow factor and age reversal after multiple treatments.

Will I have downtime?

Typically, IPL does not give you downtime. When treating sun damage or brown spots the brown spots can appear like dirt or coffee grounds on your skin for 7-10 days on your face post treatment, but they are easily covered with makeup and you will not feel these spots to be hot or sore. Then after the new skin cells turn over the brown areas just flake off and the new and improved skin is revealed.

Will the treatment hurt?

Most patients find the IPL treatment to feel like a little rubber band snapping on the skin. On the pain scale of 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst they have ever experienced they would rank the IPL between a 1-3 depending on the area being treated.

What should I do before my treatment?

It is very important to follow some basic instructions for before and after care.

1. Stay out of the sun and tanning beds for at least for 2 weeks or longer depending on how long you keep a tan after sun or tanning bed exposure.

2. Avoid self- tanners or bronzers.

3. Do not do peels or have topical medications or procedures (areas frozen by dermatologist or topical medications) for at least 4 weeks prior to treatment (depending on the area being treated).

4.Avoid medications that your skin more sensitive such as aspirin, NSAIDs(anti-inflammatories), skin care products with alpha-hydroxy acids(AHA’s), and some antibiotics.

What should I do after my treatment?

  1. Avoid all sun or tanning bed.
  2. Avoid hot saunas or hot tubs immediately after treatment
  3. Avoid exfoliating the area treated and keep from putting creams and lotions not cleared by your healthcare practitioner.
  4. You can use ice to cool off the area treated and if instructed you may use a steroid cream to the affected area.

How far apart are treatments?

Typically, treatments are scheduled are 4-8 weeks apart and the time depends on the area being treated.

Before & After IPL Treatment

Scar Treatment

Rosacea

Telangiectasia (spider veins)