Intense Pulsed Light
What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
Intense Pulsed light (IPL) is a medical device that emits a broad spectrum of wavelengths of light, ranging from visible light to near infrared. Filters are used to select particular wavelengths of light to target red blood vessels. Light energy is absorbed relatively more by blood filling the dilated capillaries. The light energy heats up blood vessels causing the blood inside to coagulate. Over a period of approximately 2 weeks blood vessels gradually fade.
Which Skin Conditions Can Be Treated By IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light is an effective treatment for sun damaged skin, improving skin tone, uneven pigmentation, brown spots or sunspots, generalized redness, acne rosacea, broken capillaries, and decreasing the appearance of enlarged pores.
How Many Treatments are Needed?
Typically, 5-7 treatments performed at monthly intervals are needed to see improvement. The number of treatments needed depends on how many blood vessels, the size of the red areas, the depth of blood vessels, the size of the blood vessels, the thickness of the skin in the area to be treated, and how your skin reacts to IPL. Some patients see a marked improvement in as few as 3-4 treatments; others may need 8- 12 treatments for correction.
What Does IPL Treatment Feel Like?
Most people are able to tolerate the mild discomfort without any problems. IPL feels like a “hot rubber band being snapped against the skin.” The discomfort is brief and subsides quickly. A cooling device that delivers a cold air spray onto your skin will be used during IPL treatment. After the treatment your skin will look and feel like you have a sunburn.
What Areas of the Body Can Be Treated By IPL?
IPL can effectively treat many different areas of the body. Sun damage on arms, legs, back, chest, face, neck, and the tops of hands have all been treated effectively.