TREATMENT

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

What is the Intense Pulsed Light?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. It is often mistaken for a laser partly due to the misleading advertising by some businesses referring to IPL-laser. IPL differs from lasers in that light is concentrated using lenses and or mirrors but the photons (particles of light) are not parallel like in the case of lasers, with IPL in general being less powerful. Typically also, IPL will emit a range of light colours whereas laser will have a single specific wavelength. This makes lasers a specialist tool for specific application whereas IPL can be used for a variety of applications depending on the “range” of wavelengths selected.

Both IPL and lasers utilise the physical properties of light absorbed or reflected by certain colours and turned into heat. This allows for different wavelengths of light (or colour) to be used to perform various tasks. Certain wavelength target haemoglobin in blood and are best to treat capillaries, others will more specifically target melanin in hair and sun spots, etc. IPL is a non-invasive approach to skin rejuvenation and is generally used to improve skin tone and surface imperfections associated with ageing, as well as any photo damage, mainly capillaries and sun spots/freckles.

Skinstitute FAQ

What areas can be treated?
IPL is ideal for any part of your body but is mainly used on face, neck, shoulders, hands and décolletage (cleavage area).
What does the treatment do?
By selecting the right setting, brown and/or red pigmented areas on your skin will be heated to the point of coagulation whilst surrounding structures remain unaffected. The skin surface is protected by the cooling surface of the lens. Some bulk heating in the dermis will occur which stimulates collagen production responsible for the “photo-rejuvenation” effect.
What do treatments feel like?
When the pulse of light is delivered, patients will experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. Gel is recommended to cool the skin before vascular treatments. Anaesthesia or pain medicine is typically not required.
How long will the treatments take?
Treatment time depends on the area of the body being treated. However, most treatments should take less than 30 minutes.
How many treatments will I need?
One to three treatments are usually sufficient to see optimal results. Additional treatments may be recommended, especially for excessively sun-damaged skin.
What happens after the treatment?
Immediately following the treatment, brown spots will start to darken and your skin may appear slightly red. The treated area may be mildly swollen. This typically lasts a few hours and possibly a day or longer. Make-up can be applied to cover any redness. A sunburn-like sensation may be felt for a few hours immediately after the treatments. Soothing gels and cool packs may help reduce flushing and heat.
When will I see results?
Within one to three weeks, the darkened spots will flake off and fade. Diffuse redness or telangiectasia will decrease and your mottled complexion will improve.
Will the spots and redness reappear over time?
New brown spots, capillaries and diffuse redness may appear with new sun damage, cigarette smoking and consumption of alcohol, which is a vasodilator; however these too can be treated. Remember to always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors to minimise sun damage and inhibit the appearance of new spots and diffuse redness. Rosacea is a chronic condition and cannot be “cured” with any laser or light source, however its appearance can be improved and flare-ups can be suppressed for prolonged periods of time.

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