IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Uneven skin tone is a common aesthetic problem we all notice as we age—especially if we have an active lifestyle out in the sun! After years of unprotected sun exposure, you will notice brown spots, freckles, sun spots. You may also notice unwanted vessels around your nose or rosacea on your cheeks. These common concerns can now be removed and you can reveal your glowing complexion with intense pulsed light, or IPL, skin treatments.

What can IPL treat?

This skin revitalization method is ideal for reducing the appearance of pigment on your face, chest, or hands. Pigmentary irregularities that we often use IPL to treat include:

  • Age spots
  • Sun damage
  • Freckles
  • Birthmarks

IPL is also the perfect solution for unwanted blood vessels on your face including spider veins, broken vessels or rosacea (redness/flushing of the cheeks). In just a few quick treatment sessions, you will see a reduction in the appearance of brown spots and vessels—leaving you with a more even skin tone and beautiful looking skin! IPL can be done alone or incorporated over time into a skin treatment plan with other highly effective treatments, like a HydraFacial or microneedling.

IPL utilizes optimized pulsed light technology which, unlike lasers, uses many wavelengths of light with special filters that deliver the best wavelengths to treat specific aesthetic conditions. As the handpiece glides over the area being treated, specialized pulses of light are delivered into your skin and target brown spots, sun-damage and vessels without causing harm to the surrounding skin.

Once these targets absorb the energy they are destroyed and will slowly disappear through your body’s natural healing process. You will see your brown spots turn darker in color and flake off over the next few weeks. You may also see an immediate improvement in your vessels with a continued clearance over the next few weeks.

Julie Holesh, PA

Physician assistant Julie Holesh is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. With both an artistic eye and medical expertise, she can help you achieve optimal skin quality with injectables, laser treatments, and other med spa services.

Julie Holesh, PA-C

What to expect on the day of treatment

Before the optimized pulsed light handpiece is used, a lotion is applied to your skin where you will receive treatment. You will also be provided eye shields to protect yourself from the light during treatment.

The treatment will begin with the provider guiding the IPL handpiece over the treatment area. You will feel cooling while the handpiece is gliding over the treatment area to provide a comfortable session. You may also feel a slight rubber-band like snapping when the energy is being delivered into your skin which disappears almost immediately however, a warm sensation after the treatment is common. Depending on the size of the area, treatments can take just minutes.

After the treatment, the lotion will be removed and a cooling gel may be applied to your skin.

  • Pigmentation Reduction: IPL effectively treats sun damage, age spots, and freckles by targeting melanin in the skin, helping to achieve a more even and bright complexion.
  • Vascular Lesion Improvement: The technology is adept at reducing the appearance of vascular lesions like spider veins and broken capillaries.
  • Skin Rejuvenation: By stimulating collagen production, IPL treatments contribute to firmer and smoother skin, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): A technology used in various skin treatments, including hair removal and photofacials, which emits multiple wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin.

Photofacial: A type of skin treatment that uses light-based technology to boost collagen, lighten brown spots, and diminish broken capillaries.

Photorejuvenation: The use of IPL to treat skin conditions and remove effects of photoaging, resulting in an improved cosmetic appearance.

Melanin: The pigment that gives human skin, hair, and eyes their color; targeted by IPL to remove dark spots.

Collagen: A protein responsible for skin strength and elasticity; stimulated through IPL therapy to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Photothermolysis: A process where light energy is converted into heat, damaging targeted cells while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected.

Fluence: The energy density of the laser pulse reaching the skin; an important parameter in IPL treatments.

Broad-Spectrum Light: Light that encompasses a wide range of wavelengths, utilized in IPL therapy to target various skin issues.

Cooling Device: A mechanism within the IPL device that helps protect the skin’s surface and keep patients comfortable during treatment.

Pulse Duration: The length of time that the IPL energy is delivered to the skin.

Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin, which is often protected during IPL treatments to prevent damage.

Dermis: The inner layer of the skin, where collagen and other structural components are located.

Pigmentation Disorders: Conditions causing skin discoloration, which can be treated with IPL therapy.

Vascular Lesions: Blood vessel-related skin abnormalities, like spider veins, that can be minimized with IPL treatments.

Contraindications: Conditions or factors that serve as reasons to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm that it would cause the patient.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Darkening of the skin that occurs after an inflammatory skin condition or procedure, which can sometimes be a side effect of IPL.

Wavelength: The distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave.

What do I need to know before my IPL treatment?

Before you schedule your laser skin revitalization appointment, you’ll need to plan for the following:

  • Remove all make-up and lotions prior to the treatment.
  • At least 4 weeks prior to your appointment, discontinue unprotected sun exposure, tanning beds and tanning creams on the areas receiving treatment.

Post-treatment instructions for skin revitalization

For a few days after your treatment, you may feel like you have a mild sunburn, but can resume your normal day to day activities immediately following treatment. Just protect your skin from the sun and avoid any harsh or irritant products, and know what to expect:

  • Immediately after the treatment, it is common to feel a mild sunburn-like sensation around the treatment site, which typically lasts 2-24 hours. Redness and/or swelling may accompany this and usually resolves in 2-3 days.
  • Avoid sun exposure on the treated area and use a sunscreen SPF 45 or greater at all times throughout the course of treatment.
  • The pigment may initially look raised or darker with a reddened perimeter. The pigment will gradually turn darker over the next few days and begin crusting and eventually flaking off of the skin from day 7-21.
  • Any treated blood vessels may undergo immediate graying or blanching, or they may exhibit a slight purple or red color change. The vessels will fully or partially fade in about 10-14 days.

Dr. Claytor discusses IPL facial lightening for RealSelf patient

Frequently asked questions about IPL laser treatment

IPL is designed to treat age spots, sun damage, and freckles on the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, legs, and feet.

Icon™ is designed to treat spider veins and broken vessels on the face, neck, and some other areas of the body.

IPL can be safely used on most skin types. During your consultation, we will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure based on a variety of factors.

You can expect to see a decrease in the appearance of brown spots, sun damage, and vessels for a more even skin tone. You will see a continued improvement over the first 12 weeks after your treatment.

Depending on the size of the area and the condition being treated, the sessions could range anywhere from 5-30 minutes.

Most people feel only a slight “snap” like a rubber band followed by warmth of your skin. You will also feel cooling on your skin as the handpiece glides over the treatment area to help in providing a comfortable session.

Depending on the condition being treated1-3 treatment sessions are recommended for desired results.

Treatment sessions should be scheduled 3-4 weeks apart.

Treatment costs vary depending on the size of the area to be treated.

Specialized pulsed of optimized light are used to target brown spots, sun damage, and vessels without harming the surrounding skin. These imperfections absorb the energy delivered to your skin causing them to slowly disappear through your body’s natural healing process.

You can resume regular daily activities immediately following treatment.

Immediately after the treatment, it is common to feel a mild sunburn-like sensation around the treatment site, which typically lasts 2-24 hours. Redness and/or swelling may accompany this and usually resolves in 2-3 days. We will discuss any other possible side effects and the necessary post-treatment care with you during the consultation.

Schedule your IPL consultation at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery

Philadelphia board certified plastic surgeon Dr. R. Brannon Claytor and our experienced physican assistant Julie Holesh are here to help you achieve the skin of your dreams! We serve patients from Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Main Line, and the surrounding areas.

To learn if IPL treatment is right for you, schedule your consultation today by calling our Bryn Mawr office at (610) 527-4833 or contacting us online. We look forward to helping you shine in your best skin ever.

References »

Gade A, Vasile GF, Rubenstein R. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy. 2023 Apr 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–.

Cai Y, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Xiang W. Intense pulsed light treatment for inflammatory skin diseases: a review. Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Oct;37(8):3085-3105. doi: 10.1007/s10103-022-03620-1. 

Monib KME, Hussein MS. Nd:YAG laser vs IPL in inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesion treatment. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020 Sep;19(9):2325-2332. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13278. 

Handler MZ, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. IPL vs PDL in treatment of facial erythema: A split-face study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2017 Dec;16(4):450-453. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12365. 

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Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Feb 20, 2024