What is IPL Laser Therapy?

IPL is not a laser because it does not use a single wavelength of light as do conventional lasers. The range of light is typically between 500-1500 nm, depending on the machine and filter used. Lasers examples include the CO2 laser for resurfacing, which uses a wavelength of 10,600 nm, the Pulse Dye laser uses a wavelength of 585 nm for vascular lesions. A second dissimilarity to a laser is that IPL light is not collumated, it is scattered. The IPL is a multitasker, addressing a number of skin issues relatively well. It addresses brown spots (dyschromias), broken blood vessels (telangiectasias), tightens skin slightly (photo-facial effect), and can achieve hair reduction for darkly pigmented hair follicles.

Intense Pulsed Light combines light and heat energies to significantly improve complexion flaws and also to remove unwanted hair. Pulses of these combined energies are applied to the skin by a hand-piece, delivering treatment at different depths within the skin with minimal discomfort and recovery time or restrictions.
IPL is performed to:
* Remove unwanted hair long-term
* Improve skin firmness, tone & texture
* Fade dark spots & visible sun damage
* Control rosacea and acne outbreaks
* Conceal micro-spider veins
Several treatments are recommended for significant and longer-lasting improvements, and follow-up will likely be needed periodically to maintain any changes. IPL reduces the redness and flushed appearance associated with rosacea. Light and heat energies are also able to reduce the appearance of thin spider veins. These energies are absorbed by the abnormal dilated vessels or uneven pigment, causing natural healing to occur.
Following a series of treatments, rosacea patients will likely reduce - or eliminate - the need for topical creams and oral medication - and patients with spider veins or broken capillaries will surely enjoy no longer being self-concious.
Exposure to the sun over time will likely cause dark spots and uneven pigment to occur. Similar to treating the rosiness of rosacea, photo therapies target dark pigment and cause these cells to break down - which allows the skin’s natural pigment color to return IPL can be use to reduce hair growth.
Several treatments may be needed, depending upon the hair color, location, and growth cycle. Patients are able to resume normal activities immediately after treatment and are not likely to experience side effects other than mild redness or swelling at the treatment site.

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hello! Thank you for your question! IPL stands for "intense pulsed light", it is a versatile treatment that can be used to improve a range of skin conditions. IPL is used as photo-rejuvenation to decrease brown spots from sun damage, minimize broken capillaries, and treat rosacea.

thank you for your question.  IPL treatment treats red vessels, hyperpigmentation and it improves the texture of your skin by producing collagen and elastin. you will pepper after the treatment and the dark spots will appear darker before they flake off. do not be alarmed.  This takes 2-4 days depending on your skin type and the intensity of the treatment.Always consult with a physician to make sure you are a good candidate.

The biggest reason you'll experience skin discoloration is cumulative exposure to sunlight. From dark spots to mottled discoloration to enlarged or broken capillaries to rough skin texture and early wrinkling, UV light is generally the primary culprit.As counterintuitive as it may seem, the use of another light source can provide some definite benefits and corrections.IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, uses the absorption of light by brown or red pigment to improve skin color and tone uniformity.IPL has been a standard cosmetic treatment in dermatology for decades. It's effective, fast and for most patients and safe, as well as typically being one of the more affordable light therapies.Some "IPL" technologies have a very positive effect on collagen generation as well as improving color and tone.

Great question!
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light.  Many people make the mistake of thinking IPL is a laser but it is a completely different technology. It is effective in treating unwanted hair, skin pigmentation, and visible and broken capillaries and veins in the skin.  It is effective in rejuvenating the skin.
I hope this helps.  Be well.

IPL or intense pulse light is laser therapy which is good for treatment brown or red pigmentation spots. I always combine IPL with microneedling/prp to improve outcomes. Best, Dr. Emer

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is a light based technology used mainly to improve the appearance of the skin and to even out skin tone . IPL is also used for skin rejuvenation, broken capillaries, rosacea, sun damage(brown spots), uneven pigmentation, improves skin texture, helps reduce acne and acne scarring.  IPL is also used for hair reduction, it can treat dark hair anywhere on the face and body. 

IPL stands for intense pulsed light.  It is not a laser which is one specific band of wavelength, IPL is a broad band of light.  The band is adjusted on most IPL systems by placing a band in front of the wavelength desired and then all wavelengths afterwards are passed through (front filter).  The problem with this approach is that it is not very specific.  Newer IPL systems have a front and back filter so a band of wavelength is used to treat the skin and can be more specific and effective.  IPL is used to treat browns and newer IPLs can effectively treat blood vessels and reds.  IPL is one of the most effective ways of creating an even complexion.

 IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It is not technically a laser, but rather a light-based energy technology. IPL is great for reducing brown and red spots, broken blood vessels, and overall redness in the skin, including from rosacea. It can also help to correct uneven skin tone. IPL is a very popular treatment due to its effectiveness and relative lack of downtime, and we have had great success with it at my practice.