In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to IPL laser treatments.

How IPL works

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is not technically a laser. A normal laser only amplifies a single wavelength of light to target a specific therapeutic effect. However, IPL uses special filters to send out intense pulses of light in a continuous range of wavelengths, mainly between 500 nm and 1,400 nm, to achieve a variety of therapeutic effects.

The IPl treatment process

Before Treatment – Brown pigmented conditions such as blemishes and freckles are visible on the epidermis of the skin. Capillaries are larger than normal, red blood vessels are visible to the naked eye, and the skin is aging due to enlarged pores and fine lines.
During treatment – When different wavelengths of IPL are applied, the melanin pigment (which causes brown spots) and hemoglobin particles (which cause red blood vessels) absorb the IPL light energy. The surrounding tissues of the skin are not damaged during this process.
After treatment – the hemoglobin and melanin absorbed by the light energy of the IPL are broken down into tiny particles, which are naturally absorbed by the body and disappear. This is how most vascular and brown pigmented conditions, such as blemishes and freckles, are treated. Thanks to the long wavelength energy of IPL, collagen synthesis in the dermis cells is increased and the skin’s elasticity is revitalized.

Four factors contribute to IPL’s therapeutic effects

The wavelength of the light, the color of the skin, the irradiation of the light, and the intensity of the IPL light energy. In terms of skin color, whiter skin is more effective than darker skin. Other than that, the treatment depends on the experience and knowledge of the dermatologist and the patient’s condition.

How IPL works

1. IPL is usually administered at least three to five times every two to three weeks, unlike regular lasers, which are administered several times at intervals of six to eight weeks.

2. At least 3 treatments are required to see the full effect.

3. You can feel the difference between IPL and conventional laser treatment after just one treatment. This is because there is no scarring and the spots, freckles, and blemishes fade away. Long-standing blood vessels on the sides of the nose and face can also be significantly reduced.

4. If you want to treat the whole face, you can apply an anesthetic ointment for about 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of IPL treatment, followed by cold compresses and regenerative laser treatments and their special packs.

5. If you need it, you can also have it done on specific areas of the face, such as under the eyes, nose, or around the eyes, and it will take much less time and be easier to manage.

IPL treatment effects

1. Pigmentation – IPL can be used to treat blemishes and freckles without disrupting your daily routine. In the case of melasma, the trick is to use less intense light energy to avoid side effects. And you may need at least three treatments a year. In the past, the reason why the Cuswitch laser hasn”t been used to treat melasma is because it stimulates the melanocytes more than necessary, which often results in a darker skin color after the treatment. IPL, on the other hand, doesn”t stimulate the melanocytes, so it can be used to treat freckles. However, it requires a high number of treatments. Postinflammatory hyper-pigmentation, which is difficult to treat with conventional lasers, can also be treated with IPL light energy.

2. Problematic skin caused by blood vessels – It is also effective for inflammatory diseases in the center of the face called rosacea, telangiectasia, and rosacea, which are accompanied by dilated blood vessels. IPL light energy is commonly used to treat hemangiomas and is also effective in treating dark circles because IPL has a wavelength that is more than twice as long as traditional vascular lasers, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin. The treatment of dark circles is highly individualized, and it is common to expect a course of five to six treatments. IPl has the advantage of not causing the bruising and skin damage that can occur with vascular lasers.

3. Skin with fine lines and large pores – The overall effect of IPL on the skin is called photo-rejuvenation. A similar term is radiant skin rejuvenation. Aging skin is rejuvenated by stimulating the synthesis of collagen in the dermis, safely and without worrying about side effects. As a result, pores are narrowed and fine lines are reduced.

4. Acne-prone skin – Studies have shown that IPL’s specific wavelengths can kill up to 80% of acne bacteria on the face after several treatments. While IPL hasn’t been proven to cure acne yet, it’s a good option for those who don’t want to take acne medications or who haven’t seen significant results from conventional treatments.

5. Hair Removal – One of the many benefits of IPL is hair removal. IPL hair removal is characterized by a relatively short treatment time and low pain. The results are also quite satisfactory.

Precautions for IPL treatment

1. It”s not recommended to spend a lot of time in the sun before or after an IPL treatment. In particular, you should avoid UV rays. Of course, it”s better to avoid tanning. If you can”t avoid frequent exposure to UV rays, you can apply sunscreen, use a whitening cream, or have several sessions of vitamin C ion therapy after IPL.

2. IPL is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, so it’s important to consult with your dermatologist to make sure you’re getting the treatment you need. IPL not only slows down the aging process, but also rejuvenates the skin. Therefore, it”s important to remember that while the immediate results are great, the skin will slowly rejuvenate in the future.

3. Some people find that the results of IPL treatments are noticeably better after the first or second treatment, but they don’t like the results afterward. For these people, we recommend that they continue with their treatments, preferably two to three weeks between treatments to see the best results.

4. The treated area may remain red for half a day or so, but don’t worry, it will calm down over time. There may be some small crusts on the treated area after the treatment, but this is not a concern. It will disappear naturally in about a week.

5. It is not necessary to wash your face or apply makeup immediately after treatment, but it is helpful to avoid drinking alcohol or taking hot baths such as saunas for 3 to 5 days.