IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is an advanced type of light treatment that works on the same principles as laser but with one major difference. The IPL resurfacing technique is non-ablative. It treats the lower layers of the skin without peeling off or injuring the epidermis or the top layer of the skin. There are several advantages to this, the most notable being the minimal downtime, which allows you to get right back to work after the procedure.
What Problems Does IPL Treat?
Some of the problems that IPL therapy is more commonly used to treat include:
- Pigmentation – Pigmentation can give your skin a blotchy look. IPL therapy helps to even your skin coloration by darkening or lightening sun spots, birth marks, acne scars, melasma and brown discolorations.
- Hair removal – In IPL therapy, the light and heat are focused on the hair follicles. This destroys the follicle and helps to reduce hair growth.
- Vascular lesions – Varicose veins, rosacea, spider veins, bruises and port wine stains are caused due to disruptions in the blood vessels. IPL therapy is very effective for eliminating these unsightly red or purple color lesions so your skin looks more even-toned.
Does Skin Color Makes A Difference With IPL Treatments?
The color of your skin makes a significant difference to the effectiveness of IPL therapy. The treatment is most effective on lighter skin tones that are discolored by darker colored spots. It does not work as well on darker colored skin. If you have darker colored skin, the professional will conduct a special test to determine whether or not it is safe for you to undergo the treatment.
It also works better when there is a considerable difference between the color of your skin and the color of the discoloration that you want removed.
With hair removal too, IPL therapy is more effective if you have lighter colored skin and darker colored hair.
Are There Any Side Effects To IPL Therapy?
Most people who undergo the IPL treatment will not suffer any side effects and even in those who do, the effects are usually minor. Some individuals may experience pain during the treatment, while others may experience minor soreness, bruising, pin coloration of the skin and a mild sunburn sensation. Most of these side effects will settle down within a few days after the procedure.
Taking Care Of IPL Treated Skin
For the best results without any untoward side effects, it is crucial to take care of your skin post the treatment.
Protecting the treated area from the sun is the single most important thing you can do for a few days after your IPL session. If you do have to go out in the sun, make sure you apply a sunscreen with high SPF.
It is also best to use sensitive skin care products for at least a week following the procedure as these are gentler on the skin.
How Many Treatments Does It Take To Achieve The Level Of Correction Needed?
The number of treatments you will require will depend largely on the extent of the discoloration. The treatment consists of a series of about 3 to 6 sessions with an interval of about 30 days between sessions.
Lolachi Institute in Redondo Beach is conveniently located near Lawndale, Gardena, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes and Torrance, California.
* The results described are based on active and strict participation in our program. Individual results may vary.
