IPL Photofacial Before & After

IPL, which stands for Intense Pulsed Light, is a broad band form of light that can be filtered during treatment to target brown and red discoloration in the skin. Sometimes referred to as broad-band light or BBL, IPL is a no-downtime procedure performed in the office as a series of treatments to address sun damage including poikiloderma, freckles, sun spots, brown discoloration, rosacea, telangiectasias (broken blood vessels), and even scars.

IPL is often referred to as a photofacial, as the most commonly treated area is the face.  However, the neck, chest & decollete, hands, arms, and even legs are also successfully areas of treatment.  Depending on the condition being treated and the area, between 2-4 treatments are needed for optimal results.  Annual maintenance treatments have been shown through clinical studies to improve the cells of the skin and continue the light rejuvenating effect on the skin.

In patients with severe sun damage, wrinkling, or even precancerous spots (actinic keratoses), IPL can be combined with other light and laser based treatments for an enhanced effect.  IPL is used with blue light during photodynamic therapy to treat both precancerous spots and improve skin appearance and quality.  For patients with severe sun damage and textural changes, an IPL is combined with fractionated CO₂ laser resurfacing to address both skin tone and texture irregularities.