IPL is very good for some things, but it is not very good for others. To decide if IPL is right for you, you have to understand what IPL can and cannot do and then match this with your skin problems.
IPL is best at treating sun-induced color irregularities that, depending on genetics and the amount of sun exposure, may first appear in individuals as early as the mid 20's, but usually in the early to mid 30's. These brown spots, broken capillaries (telangectasias), and spotty red blushes cause the skin to look older than it is.
The chronically sun damaged skin also becomes dull and sallow looking. The skin of a child is bright and clear, not dull and sallow. These are the skin changes that IPL is best at correcting.
It is not good at removing or even reducing wrinkles. It does not treat sagging skin, and it does not replace the facial volume loss, or deflation, that we all experience with passing time. There are other treatments for these problems of the aging face.
IPL is very inefficient for removing hair.
So, if you are concerned with irregular brown and red discoloration of the skin (dyschromias), and if your skin has lost its glow and become dull, or if you want to stop wearing foundation makeup to smooth out the color of your skin, IPL may be for you. If you are more concerned about wrinkles, sagging skin and facial deflation, you may want to seek other forms of treatment.
As with most medical treatments, the choice of IPL has to be individualized for optimal results.
