IPL

Pros 

• IPL treatments target the pigment cells responsible for excessive or uneven pigmentation, helping to reduce age spots, sunspots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation, according to Dr. Lorrie Klein, a dermatologic surgeon in Laguna Niguel, California.  
• It can simultaneously reduce redness caused by broken capillaries, rosacea, and general facial flushing—something only a few other light-based modalities can do. 
• IPL can also be helpful at reducing discoloration from acne and acne scars. 
• It can improve skin texture, including fine lines and wrinkles. In one study, nearly 60% of patients experienced at least moderate improvement in skin around the eyes after three monthly IPL sessions. 
• This skin treatment is often less expensive than laser treatments that address the same skin conditions and concerns. However, multiple sessions are usually required for the best results. 
• IPL treatments bypass the skin's surface, so recovery time is minimal. You usually can return to your routine immediately after your treatment.

Cons 

• This treatment is only recommended for treating fair to medium skin tones, Fitzpatrick skin types I–III. Because the melanin (pigment) in skin absorbs light energy, deep skin tones are more likely to burn and, potentially, scar. Treating skin that is tan—from the sun, tanning beds, or even self-tanning lotion—can cause burns and permanent hypo- or hyperpigmentation. 
• IPL can make melasma worse, due to its light, heat, and nonspecific nature.
• The treatment can hurt, with a sharp prickling, snapping, or stinging sensation. Most providers apply an anesthetic cream beforehand to numb the skin, which should make it tolerable. 
• It’s much less effective at hair removal than laser treatments.

RealSelf Tip: Doctors on RealSelf recommend staying out of the sun for at least a week (and ideally two weeks or more) prior to your IPL treatment, to avoid possible complications like burning. Skip self-tanners and tanning beds, too, for at least two weeks prior to your appointment.

• Average Cost:
• $791

• Range:
• $250 - $1,800

The price you pay will depend on the size of the treatment area, number of treatments you have, and the type of device used, as well as your provider’s credentials, level of experience, and practice location.

See our complete guide to IPL costs

The IPL photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Prior to your treatment, you should have a consultation with your provider to make sure you’re a good candidate for intense pulsed light therapy. They may perform a spot test to see how your skin reacts. 

Your provider will also give you instructions on what to avoid before your first IPL appointment. These could include waxing, tanning or sun exposure, peels, and topical creams that contain retinol or glycolic acid. 

Here’s what to expect when you arrive: 

• A numbing cream will be applied to your skin about one hour before your IPL treatment starts. (Don’t skip this step. IPL “can feel very hot and painful, unless a topical anesthetic is used,” Dr. Klein says.)
• After the anesthetic is removed, your skin will be cleansed and coated with an ultrasound gel. This cool gel serves several purposes: It helps protect the skin, allows the laser to smoothly glide over the skin, and reduces reflection of the IPL waves from the skin, making the treatment more efficient. 
• Both you and your provider will wear eye protection.
• The handpiece of the IPL device will move across your skin emitting pulses of light. 
• Some people describe the sensation as the snapping of rubber bands, though Dr. Klein cautions that the experience can be more intense and feel quite hot. 
• The length of treatment depends on the size of the area, but it typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. 
• After the treatment area has been covered, the gel is removed and sunscreen may be applied.

You’ll be able to apply moisturizer and a mineral-based makeup immediately afterward.

There's little to no downtime after an IPL photofacial, but you may want to take some social downtime as your skin goes through a healing process that can take about a week.

• Your skin may be red and swollen for a few hours after your treatment, but you should be able to go back to your regular activities. 
• Your skin may feel sunburned and hypersensitive for a couple days following, so treat it gently, with mild skincare products, until you’re completely healed. Forgo scrubs, acids, and retinoids in favor of gentle cleansers and bland moisturizers. 
• Gently apply ice packs or a cool compress on the treated area if you need to ease the discomfort. 
• Skin will be more vulnerable to sun damage after an IPL treatment, so avoid sun exposure and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ on the treatment area.
• Skip vigorous exercise for a couple of days to prevent swelling, which can slow healing.
• Within a week post-treatment, pigmented spots will appear to rise to the surface of your skin before falling off a few days later, according to Dr. Klein. The brown, freckled areas can look like little coffee grounds or pepper flakes.

Most IPL treatment plans are slow and steady, with a series of up to 6 treatment sessions, spaced 30 days apart, to achieve full results. This monthly treatment schedule coincides with the skin cells' natural regenerative cycle.

Patients often see some improvement in redness within two weeks of their first session, but it may take three to four treatments to see a significant improvement, particularly for more severe dark spots.

"IPL can be very effective, but the results are not permanent," says Dr. William Groff, a dermatologist in San Diego. You’ll continue to age, accrue sun damage, and form new blood vessels after your treatment.

To maintain the benefits, most patients get follow-up sessions on a regular basis. "Scheduling routine visits for your skin is just as important as scheduling routine visits to your dentist," says Dr. Groff. "Your first few sessions should be spaced about every eight weeks, and then I recommend you follow up with treatments every six months." 

Every person and skin type is different, so consult with a provider with extensive experience in IPL, who can give you a better idea at how often you'll need treatment—and who can ensure the most successful results.

Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day will also help prolong your results and prevent future sun damage.

When performed by an experienced provider on the right candidate, IPL can be extremely safe and well tolerated. 

"However, there are some real complications that can occur if providers are not cautious and conservative with treatment parameters," says Dr. Daniel Straka, an oculoplastic surgeon in Columbus, Ohio. Side effects can include burns, bruising, blistering, a change in skin color, increased melasma, or even infection. 

Dr. Klein agrees that provider error is the real risk when it comes to negative side effects. “The device can easily be used incorrectly by poorly trained staff, and patients can experience burns and, possibly, permanent discoloration of their skin,” she cautions. 

To avoid complications, make sure the person performing your treatment is a physician, or a well-trained physician’s assistant or RN, with a strong track record of happy patients with good results—and that your skin isn’t tanned for several weeks before your treatment.

As mentioned above, IPL treatments are not suitable for everyone: it works best on light skin tones. "Skin that has more pigment is more prone to developing both hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation (unwanted darkening or lightening of the skin) that may be permanent. Also, people with dark skin types may be at higher risk of burns from the treatment," says Dr. Edward Miranda, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco. 

IPL is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

People with a history of herpes should take an antiviral medication before and after IPL treatment, to avoid a flare-up.

Related: The 5 Best In-Office Treatments for Dark Skin, and the Ones to Avoid

RealSelf members give laser resurfacing a much higher Worth It Rating than IPL photofacials, but which treatment option is better for you will depend on your specific skin concerns. 

While most laser treatments deliver one intensified wavelength of light in a focused, localized beam, IPL delivers broad-spectrum visible light at multiple wavelengths. According to one study, “The advantage of broadband light is that it allows for greater versatility in treating a variety of skin types and conditions.”

Dr. Klein agrees, pointing out that IPL “can attack several different skin problems at the same time, such as brown spots and red areas, while lasers focusing on a specific wavelength attack only one problem more intensely—brown spots or redness, etc.”

Because light from IPL is also more scattered, it’s able to treat your skin without damaging the top layer, resulting in quicker healing (if the treatment is performed properly).

What's more, IPL’s energy distribution covers more ground than a narrow laser beam. So while a laser may be better equipped to destroy an individual brown spot or hair follicle, IPL can more efficiently tackle widespread issues. For example, "you can often achieve significant improvement in the appearance of freckles," says Dr. Brian Biesman, an oculoplastic surgeon in Nashville.

However, laser treatments can be more intense, delivering more noticeable results. 

An experienced provider who offers both treatment options will be able to recommend the best one for your concerns, goals, and skin type.

Related: Laser vs. IPL: Which Is Best for Treating Sun Damage? 

Doctors on RealSelf agree that IPL is an effective way to treat uneven skin discoloration,  reduce unwanted brown pigmentation, and minimize redness. 

Because it stimulates new collagen production, it may also help improve skin texture. But everyone responds differently to IPL, which is why a "test spot" performed prior to treatment is recommended. 

As we mentioned above, most patients need at least three and up to six monthly treatments before they’ll see optimal results, but you may see some benefits even sooner. 

"Some patients might see improvement in visible vessels right away, while others need to wait a few weeks to enjoy their results," says Dr. Douglas Wu, a dermatologist in San Diego. "It's often helpful to compare before and after photos to see that the device is really working."

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Faucz, Luciana L., et al. “Quantitative Evaluation of Collagen and Elastic Fibers After Intense Pulsed Light Treatment of Mouse Skin.” Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, vol. 50, no. 6, 16 Jan. 2018.

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Amin, Snehal P., and David J. Goldberg. “Clinical Comparison of Four Hair Removal Lasers and Light Sources.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, vol. 8, no. 2, June 2006.