Treatment FAQ

what is ipl treatment for pigmentation

by Henri Frami Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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IPL Treats Skin Pigmentation
Dark spots or brown spots are a product of the skin's natural production of brown pigment, or melanin, which occurs in the deeper levels of the skin. IPL™ light pulses are able to break melanin down into small particles which are then able to rise to the surface of the skin.

Is IPL good for pigmentation?

IPL, also known as Intense Pulsed Light, is an effective skin pigmentation treatment. It is a safe, precise and very effective way to eliminate pigmentation, age spots and unwanted freckles. IPL treatment for pigmentation has minimal effect on the surrounding skin and is relatively painless.Feb 10, 2022

How long does IPL last for pigmentation?

The darkened area typically begins to fade in 7 to 14 days. This is when you'll also begin to notice that many superficial brown spots around the treated area are becoming lighter, and less noticeable. They won't vanish with one IPL treatment, but in almost all cases patients will see progress.Jun 2, 2020

Can IPL make pigmentation worse?

IPL treatment heats up the surrounding tissue and melanin, with a higher risk of burns on darker skin types and due to the heat produced, can actually stimulate and increase the appearance of the darkened pigmentation and is therefore not recommended.

How many IPL sessions are needed for hyperpigmentation?

We recommend three IPL treatments performed one to two months apart initially and then one to two treatments per year thereafter as maintenance. While you should start to see some great results after the first IPL session, the best outcomes occur after several treatments.Mar 17, 2021

Is IPL worth the money?

IPL is an excellent option for people who want to address many of the signs of aging with one treatment. You can greatly improve fine lines, sun spots, redness, and dull skin, all with the power of light.

How many sessions of IPL do you need?

For patients to get the best IPL results, it is generally recommended that patients receive, on average, 4 – 6 treatments scheduled four weeks apart.Feb 5, 2020

Is IPL or laser better for pigmentation?

IPL is generally a milder treatment that covers a larger area of skin. Laser is more intense and targets areas for specific results. IPL takes longer to achieve the same results and cannot be performed on darker skin tones; laser, however, gives faster results and can be used to some degree on darker skin.Mar 18, 2020

Can IPL trigger melasma?

With the treatment you mention, intense-pulsed light or IPL, melasma often reappears quickly. Intense-pulsed light also carries a risk of heating the surrounding skin, which is thought to worsen melasma.Oct 11, 2019

Can IPL cause more brown spots?

What are the common side effects of IPL? The most common (and expected) side effect is a darkening of the more superficial brown spots of the areas being treating. This darkening of superficial brown spots will flake off after about 7-14 days.

Are IPL results permanent?

We refer to IPL as a semi-permanent hair removal treatment as although the initial course of treatments will remove all of your hair follicles your body will eventually produce and develop more.Nov 13, 2021

Does IPL lighten skin?

In 18 (66%) of 27 patients IPL also demonstrated whitening effects on normal skin. Fourteen patients (52%) showed whitening effects both on pigmentary and normal areas. These results indicated that IPL therapy may have a whitening effect both on pigmentary and normal areas of the face.

What happens if you use IPL too often?

No, using your Philips Lumea more often than recommended will not speed up the hair removal process. Do not treat the same area multiple times in one session as this will not improve efficacy and can cause skin irritation.Dec 9, 2021

What is Pigmentation?

Pigmentation refers to darkened areas of skin caused by too much melanin. Pigmentation can be irregularly shaped and unevenly colored. It can range from the freckles that have appeared on your face or hands after years of UV sun exposure or the melasma that sometimes shows up on pregnant women’s faces and never really goes away.

How does IPL treatment help?

IPL treatment is an intense pulsed light treatment. Using a specialized medical device in our spa-like setting, our trained aestheticians deliver concentrated beams of light to the pigmented area. That light profoundly penetrates the skin and breaks up the pigment at the source. That pigment sloughs off within 7-10 days.

Long Term Care after Treatment

Immediately after an IPL treatment for pigmentation, you may experience some skin redness. It’s essential to use sunscreen afterward to protect sensitive skin and help prevent new areas of pigmentation from surfacing. A series of treatments is typically recommended for the best result, usually every month.

Why does acne cause hyperpigmentation?

When the epidermis is damaged, the inflammation stimulates the melanocytes to increase melanin production to the damaged tissue, resulting in hyperpigmentation . A majority of this type of hyperpigmentation is from acne that has healed, but leaves behind a dark mark or spot.

How to prevent hyperpigmentation?

If your hyperpigmentation is a result from UV rays, the best prevention using is sunscreen with an SPF that is at least 30, and covering up. Consider wearing visors or wide-brimmed hats to protect your face. If you’re prone to hyperpigmentation in specific areas, either cover up or apply a high SPF sunscreen when you’re exposed to the sun. Clothing companies are even making lightweight clothing with SPF in them for added coverage and protection.

What is IPL treatment?

An IPL treatment is wonderful for removing hyperpigmentation caused by both internal and external influences, and aims to restore a balanced, glowing complexion.

How does hyperpigmentation work?

The energy created by the light penetrates the dermal layers below the skin’s surface and begins to address the melanin that’s causing the spots.

What is an IPL facial?

If you’re looking for a relatively quick and permanent solution to hyperpigmentation, an IPL (intense pulsed light) facial is a good option. A treatment for hyperpigmentation in the medical spa space is called an intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) treatment. An IPL treatment is wonderful for removing hyperpigmentation caused by both internal ...

Why is hyperpigmentation harder to treat?

Hyperpigmentation can be harder to treat because, when UV rays are involved, it means trying to reverse sometimes 10 to 20 years of damage.

What happens to melanocytes as you age?

As your body ages, its regulation of melanocytes are less controlled, and the distribution is less balanced. Melanocytes become concentrated in certain areas, and when they’re stimulated by UV rays, wherever the cell concentration is higher, the greater amount of hyperpigmentation will occur.

How does IPL work?

IPL Skin Pigmentation treatments work by transmitting heat from the IPL light through to the pigmented skin areas. The IPL technology is attracted to dark ...

What is IPL technology?

The IPL technology is attracted to dark pigmentation, effectively drawing the discolouration to the surface of the skin, allowing the dermis to begin the healing process of correcting the blemishes. What does the treatment involve?

How long does it take for a sunburn to go away?

Immediately after treatment the area reddens and may feel like sunburn for 2-12 hours and some swelling of the spots will be seen. If large areas or many spots are being treated, significant swelling can occur.

Can IPL be used while breastfeeding?

This treatment is also not suitable to have during pregnancy (fine while breastfeeding). IPL is not suitable for those who have been on Roaccutane in the last 6 months, have open wounds, infections, rosacea, psoriasis or dermatitis in the area to be treated.

How long does it take for a swollen face to heal?

By day two, the pigment starts to darken, and over the next few days crusts over and then literally washes off. This will take 5 - 7 days on the face and 10 - 20 days on the body.

Does sunscreen help with pigmentation?

Use of a broad-spectrum SPF50 sunscreen is essential to minimize the risk of re-pigmentation. During the weeks following treatment your pigmentation will crust and flake away, please do not prematurely pick or remove this pigment as you may cause scarring or post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. ​.

What is IPL?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, also known as photorejuvenation or the photofacial. Treatments are performed at doctor's offices and medi-spas, and can be fantastic for erasing mild sun damage, freckles, irregular pigmentation and light brown spots on the face, neck and chest.

Who Should Try IPL

IPL is perfect for younger patients who are starting to see early pigmentation (oh HAI!), minor wrinkling or uneven tone, but don't want or need an intensive resurfacing treatment that requires time off work.

IPL or Fraxel?

Kim Kardashian gets regular Fraxel treatments to maintain her complexion.

What to Expect at an IPL Treatment

Before you book your IPL sesh, make sure you don't have a tan—even a fake one—as that'll mess with the machine's ability to target the brown pigment. If you use Retin-A, you should stop it a week or two before your session to prevent extra sensitivity.

My Results From IPL

Whenever I go for IPL, which is usually once every 12 to 18 months, all I want (and get) out of it is for the bigger brown blotches to go—I'm okay with keeping the rest of my smaller freckles. They don't bother me enough to go through with multiple sessions, which I can't really afford anyway.

How does IPL work?

How IPL Treatment Works. IPL uses light energy to target a certain color in your skin. When the skin is heated, your body gets rid of the unwanted cells, and that gets rid of the thing you’re being treated for. Unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light.

What is IPL therapy?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, aka photofacial, is a way to improve the color and texture of your skin without surgery. It can undo some of the visible damage caused by sun exposure -- called photoaging. You may notice it mostly on your face, neck, hands, or chest. IPL may help if you have red, brown, or splotchy skin because ...

What to expect before IPL?

Before the procedure, don’t: Tan in the sun, in a tanning bed, or with tanning creams for 4 weeks before you go. Wax, or get a chemical peel or collagen shots for 2 weeks before. Wear perfume, makeup, deodorant, or any skin irritants.

How to get rid of sun sensitivity?

Take any medication that will make you sun-sensitive; for example, the antibiotic doxycycline. Once you’re there, a technician or dermatologist will rub gel on your clean skin. You’ll wear dark glasses to protect your eyes. The handheld IPL device will go right on your body.

How long does it take for a sunburn to go away?

It may feel like you have a sunburn for 4-6 hours after you’re finished. Ice packs or a cool washcloth can help you feel better. Your skin may be red or bruised for a day or two. Some of your brown spots may get darker, but they should peel off within a few weeks.

What is the difference between chemical peels and laser peels?

Chemical peels. This is similar to a microdermabrasion, except it uses chemical solutions applied to your face. Laser resurfacing. This removes the damaged outer layer of the skin to promote growth of collagen and new skin cells. Lasers use only one wavelength of light in a concentrated beam.

Can IPL make my skin look better?

IPL can make your skin look better, but it can’t stop future aging. It also can’t help the condition that affected your skin. You can get follow-up treatment once or twice a year to maintain your look. Alternatives to IPL Treatment. These options also may treat your skin spots, fine lines, and redness.

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