IPL Treatment: Everything You Should Know Before You Start

As the seasons change, many people begin to notice uneven skin tone, sunspots, redness, or dullness that may have developed over time.

If you’re looking for a non-invasive way to improve your skin, IPL treatment (Intense Pulsed Light) is one of the most effective options for restoring a clearer, more even complexion.

What Is IPL Treatment?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)—also known as a photofacial—is a non-invasive skin treatment that uses broad-spectrum light to target pigmentation and redness beneath the surface of the skin.

Unlike traditional lasers that use a single wavelength, IPL delivers multiple wavelengths of light, allowing it to treat several skin concerns at once while leaving surrounding skin unharmed.

What Does IPL Treat?

IPL is commonly used to improve:

• Sun damage and dark spots

• Hyperpigmentation

• Redness and broken capillaries

• Rosacea-related flushing

• Uneven skin tone

• Early signs of aging

By targeting excess pigment and visible blood vessels, IPL helps your body naturally clear these imperfections—resulting in brighter, clearer-looking skin over time.

If you’re curious how these improvements look in real patients, you can explore visible results below.

What Are The Benefits of IPL?

Patients choose IPL treatments because they offer:

• Improvement in overall skin tone and clarity

• Minimal downtime

• A non-invasive approach to skin rejuvenation

• Gradual, natural-looking results

IPL is especially popular for patients who want noticeable improvement without more aggressive procedures.

When Can You Start IPL Treatments?

IPL treatments can be performed year-round, as long as proper sun protection is maintained before and after treatment.

Because IPL targets pigment, minimizing sun exposure and wearing daily sunscreen is essential to ensure safe and effective results.

Your provider will help determine the best timing based on your skin type, recent sun exposure, and treatment goals.

What to Expect During IPL Treatment

IPL sessions are typically quick and well-tolerated. Most patients describe a mild snapping sensation during the procedure.

After treatment:

• Mild redness may occur temporarily

• Dark spots may briefly appear darker before fading

• Skin tone gradually becomes more even over time

A series of treatments is often recommended to achieve optimal results.

Is IPL Right for You?

IPL is a great option for patients looking to improve sun damage, redness, or uneven skin tone with minimal downtime.

At Ohara Dermatology, we offer personalized IPL treatments tailored to your skin’s needs and goals. Dr. Aivaz will guide you through the process and create a treatment plan designed to safely and effectively improve your skin.

A consultation is the best way to determine if IPL is appropriate for your skin type and concerns.

Limited-Time IPL Offer

For a limited time, enjoy 15% off one IPL treatment through April 30.

Whether you’re looking to address sun damage, redness, or uneven skin tone, this is a great time to begin treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What can IPL be used to treat?

  • Eliminating or reducing brown spots or other discolorations and hyperpigmentation

  • Eliminating age spot or liver spots

  • Reducing redness in acne scars, stretch marks or surgical scars

  • Treating uneven skin tone of face/neck/chest for more youthful skin

  • Reducing sun-damaged or aging skin

  • Treating rosacea

  • Treating broken blood vessels (also knows as telangiectasias)

  • Treating cherry angiomas

• What parts of the body can be treated with IPL?

  Areas that can be treated include, but are not limited to:

  • Face

  • Neck

  • Chest

  • Hands

  • Arms

• What should I expect during the treatment?

  Before treatment, you will have a consultation with Dr. Aivaz to discuss your concerns and desired outcomes. During this consultation, Dr. Aivaz will examine you and ask questions about your medical history to ensure you are a candidate for treatment.

  During treatment, the area will be cleaned and prepped for the procedure. The IPL treatment takes about 20 minutes. Pain is minimal (similar to a rubber band snapping on the skin), but medical-grade topical anesthetic can be used to numb the skin should you desire. Cool air and ice make the procedure very tolerable.

  The laser is passed over the treatment area, and most patients describe a feeling of heat and/or a rubber band snapping on the skin.

  Patients are red and may be swollen for 2-3 days after the procedure. Expect light scabbing (I liken the scabs to coffee grounds) for about one week. These “coffee ground crusts” are actually the undesired pigment that is being removed. The pigment comes right to the surface of the skin, then peels off within 5-7 days.

  The appointment can take anywhere from 5-60 minutes, depending on the area that is being treated.

• How many treatment sessions will I need?

  Depending on your skin type and what is being targeted, anywhere between 2-5 sessions are recommended. Treatments are performed every 4 weeks.

  You may need yearly touch ups, and the best way to prolong results is by protecting the skin from the sun with sunscreen and hats.

• Are there any side effects?

  Laser procedures have an excellent safety record in Dr. Aivaz’s hands. Dr. Aivaz chooses laser settings very carefully to minimize risk of serious side effects such as skin pigmentation or scarring.