What Is an IPL Photofacial?
Intense pulsed light treatment using a broad range of filtered wavelengths for selected pigment, vascular, redness, or hair concerns. IPL is not a laser and can burn skin or injure eyes.
Overview
Intense pulsed light (IPL) delivers filtered, broad-spectrum light rather than one laser wavelength. Filters, pulse duration, fluence, spot size, cooling, skin contact, and target determine whether energy is absorbed by pigment, blood vessels, or hair.
Diagnose pigment before treating
Freckles and selected sun spots may respond, while melasma can worsen with heat or inflammation. Suspicious pigmented lesions should be evaluated rather than cosmetically lightened. Recent tanning increases burn and pigment risk.
Skin tone and device settings
Melanin competes for light energy, so darker skin tones and tanned skin require particular expertise, careful selection, and sometimes another modality. A “photofacial” package should specify device, filter, settings, test-spot policy, eye protection, and target.
Not no-risk light
Burns, blistering, pigment change, scarring, paradoxical hair growth, and eye injury can occur. IPL does not provide surgical lifting or permanently prevent new sun damage.
Benefits
Can target selected sun spots, redness, small vessels, or hair
Treats larger areas relatively quickly
Usually has less wound care than ablative resurfacing
Filters and pulse settings can be adjusted to the target
Can be staged with conservative test spots and photographs
The Procedure
1
Identify the target
2
Assess light and pigment risk
3
Treat with eye protection
4
Monitor pigment and burns
Preparation
Avoid tanning and self-tanner as directed. Disclose photosensitizing medications, isotretinoin, seizures triggered by light, pregnancy, cold sores, melasma, skin cancer history, permanent makeup, tattoos, and recent procedures.
Recovery & Aftercare
Redness, warmth, mild swelling, and darkening of treated spots can last days before flaking. Avoid picking and use strict sun protection. Blisters, severe pain, eye symptoms, or spreading discoloration need prompt review.
Risks & Considerations
Burns, blistering, pain, swelling, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, melasma flare, scarring, paradoxical hair growth, infection, and eye injury. Treating an undiagnosed lesion can delay diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
[1]
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Intense Pulsed Light Therapy.
https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/laser-light-therapy/intense-pulsed-light-therapy[2]
PubMed: Intense Pulsed Light Reviews.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=intense+pulsed+light+photoaging+review[3]
PubMed: IPL-Related Ocular Injury Literature.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=intense+pulsed+light+ocular+injury
Your Privacy Choices