Understanding IPL Treatments
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments have gained popularity for their ability to address a variety of skin concerns. IPL treatments utilize a non-ablative fractionated laser that targets pigment and redness in the skin. It is used to treat sun spots, melasma, rosacea and redness. This treatment can be used in a series, or combined with other modalities, to reduce the appearance of brown and red spots caused by sun damage or aging. IPL is non-invasive and requires minimal downtime compared to other treatments. Consultation is required prior to treatment.
Planning for Your IPL Treatment
Will I need to take time off? The short answer is no. Healing after an IPL treatment varies with the patient although in most cases takes less than a week and as little as a few hours to days. Immediately after the treatment you may notice some minor redness and in some cases, swelling, similar to that of a sunburn. If treating freckles and other dark spots, you may experience dryness and flaking of the treated area. Some of the spots may appear darker, but they should slough off within a few days. You can apply makeup immediately after an IPL treatment if desired. Avoid heavy exertion and activities which may cause flushing of the skin for three days after treatment.
What You Need to Do Before Your IPL Treatment:
- Pre-treatment with Rx Skincare: Your provider may recommend pre-treatment with brightening agents or prescription hydroquinone for 4-8 weeks prior to treatment in order to maximize your results.
- Skin Prep: The treatment area should be free of any makeup, creams, perfumes and lotions. Discontinue the use of exfoliating creams 1 week prior to the entire treatment.
- Shave: Male patients or patient's with facial hair should shave just prior to treatment (the pigment in your beard could increase discomfort).
- Tanning: Discontinue sun tanning, use of tanning beds and any application of sunless tanning products one month before the treatment. Again, it is imperative that you avoid significant sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
- Sun Protection: Always use an SPF 30 or greater sunblock on all exposed treatment areas. Wear sun protective hats and clothing.
- Preventative Treatment: If the patient has a history of herpes outbreaks in the areas being treated, a prescribed medication, like Valtrex is recommended for one week prior to the treatment prior to the treatment to help prevent an outbreak.
- Avoid Blood Thinners: Avoid aspirin and Ibuprofen for one week prior to your treatment. Inform the provider if you are taking blood thinners or regularly take aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Avoid alcohol for 2 days prior to treatment.
- CAUTION - Accutane: Inform the provider if have taken Accutane (oral acne medication) in the past year.
- Prepare your Post Procedure Skincare Plan: Proper skincare following your laser appointment is imperative to avoiding complications and maximizing your outcome. Please have on hand (or plan to buy from your provider): 1) A mild facial cleanser 2) high quality sunblock SPF 30 (zinc and/or titanium dioxide >10%), and 3) A good moisturizer.
- Stock up on Supplies: For discomfort, a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used. Additionally, if an open area occurs or if the treatment area is inadvertently picked an antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin can also be applied.
What to Expect During Your IPL Treatment
- Time: Allow approximately 45 to 60 minutes for your appointment depending on the size of the treatment area.
- Numbing: Most patients will require some topical numbing prior to their procedure - up to 45-minutes. You are welcome to come early to allow more numbing time or we can give you numbing cream to apply at home before you arrive.
- Eye Protection: Just prior to treatment, you will be given eye shields or glasses to wear to protect your eyes.
- How Does Getting an IPL Treatment Feel? During the procedure, people may feel a pinching sensation. Some individuals have described this as a feeling similar to an elastic band being “snapped” on the skin. Sensation is moderate and very tolerable.
What To Expect After Your IPL Treatment
- Heat: Your skin may be temperature sensitive for several days after treatment.
- Brown spots and freckles will appear darker while healing. Freckles and age spots may darken for three to seven days before starting to fade.
- Redness around the treated area for a few hours to days.
- Skin flaking for up to 10 days.
- Minor bruising that may last two weeks or less
- Swelling: The sessions are designed to provide no downtime however, occasionally you may find that your cheeks and under eye areas are slightly puffy after treatment. You may use cold compresses (5 minutes on and 10 minutes off) several times an hour to help ease both redness and swelling. Sleeping with your head elevated for the first night will also help decrease any swelling you may experience.
- Post-care Guide: You should abide by the post-care instructions for optimal results.
IPL Results & Following Treatments
- General Results: It should take 4-6 weeks to see the full result and 2-3 treatments may be required to achieve an optimum result.
- Pigment Results: It will take four to six weeks to see the full results from a single treatment, however you should see dark spots fade and slough off within a week. If you complete a series of treatments about one month apart, the maximum results will be visible in two to three months after the last treatment.
- Veins Results: The results of IPL begin to appear right after treatment and continue to improve over the next few days to weeks. It does take some time for veins to fully collapse and be reabsorbed by the body, so full results cannot be seen right away. If symptoms accompanied the spider veins, they are usually relieved immediately after treatment.
- Following treatments: Depending on the indication of treatment, for best IPL results it is generally recommended that patients receive, on average, 3-5 treatments scheduled four weeks apart.
More Questions on IPL?
Please call our office or schedule a IPL Free Consultation with us.
