IPL at A Glance
- Best Results2+
- Treatment Recovery2-5 days
- Procedure Time10-30 min
- Skin SpecialistDermal therapist, nurse
- Duration of ResultsVariable
- AnaestheticCooling
- Back to Work1-3 days
- Cost$
IPL
IPL or intense pulse light is a device that can reduce pigmentation, treat redness, unwanted hair as well as sun damage. IPL is ‘do it all device’, however, in the majority of cases, it has been replaced with better, more effective laser devices. We still use IPL to treat extensive areas such as the chest, arms, back & legs.
FactsFacts on IPL
- IPL is a light-based skin rejuvenation device
- IPL can treat many skin conditions including pigmentation, freckles, & sun damage
- IPL can also treat red skin conditions such as rosacea, flushing & broken capillaries
- BBL stands for broad band light; which is a type of IPL device
- We utilize this device to treat larger areas such as the chest, shoulders, arms & legs
- 2-3 sessions are required for most
- Combining lasers such as Fraxel with IPL gives better outcomes
What is IPL?
IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light. BBL or Broad Band Light is a term used to describe a particular type of IPL. Both devices deliver light to the upper layers of skin.
IPL uses different filters, much like different wavelengths of laser light. Depending on the filter chosen, we can target pigment (melanin) or red blood vessels (hemoglobin).
IPL is not as efficient as lasers, however they are still used to treat large areas of skin.
What skin conditions can IPL treat?
IPL can treat several common conditions that affect the skin, including:
- Age spots, freckles & pigmentation
- Diffuse redness, broken veins, red spots, & capillaries
- Enlarged pores, fine wrinkles, poor skin texture
- Diffuse sun damage
Though IPL can treat many skin conditions, it’s main role at Cutis is to treat extensive areas of pigmentation in lighter skin types. Though lasers are much better at addressing specific concerns, IPL is still effective in treating larger areas such as the chest, arms, shoulder, & back.
How many sessions are required?
This is different for everyone and is dependent on particular skin concerns, as well as skin quality. A treatment plan will be discussed during your consultation.
As a guide:
- Face rejuvenation including freckles 1-2 sessions
- Pigmentation arms, shoulders 2-4 sessions
- Pigmentation chest, back, extensive 3-4 sessions
In some cases, we combine Fraxel with BBL-IPL, as this reduces the amount of sessions & markedly improves outcomes.
What can I expect after BBL- IPL treatments?
After each session, mild redness can be expected, almost as if your skin is slightly sunburned. This redness disappears within a few hours and can be covered with mineral makeup if need be. Over the course of 2-4 days, pigmentation may get darker (Milo flakes), before shedding. There after you will see a noticeable improvement in your skin’s appearance, as well as a reduction in any spots, blemishes and broken capillaries.
If you have significant background sun damage & pigmentation, the first few sessions of IPL-BBL will give you patterning or ‘tiger striping.’ This is because the pigment has taken up light energy compared to untreated skin. Subsequent treatments will blend in these areas.
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What precautions should I take prior to IPL treatment?
The most important step is to stay out of direct sunlight and avoid tanning in the weeks leading up to your session – tanned skin cannot be treated. During your consultation at Cutis, we will also explain the importance of photoprotection prior to laser & IPL treatments.
Can all skin types be treated with IPL?
No. IPL can be used safely in skin type 1-2 – lighter skin types. For darker skin types, including type 3 & above, dedicated pigmentation lasers including picosecond & nanosecond lasers offer much better results with a higher safety profile.
*Skin type 3 can be treated with IPL if correct filters are applied, with longer pulse duration, precise skin cooling & good pre/post-procedure skin care. The fact remains that pico lasers are the gold standard for treating darker skin types.
Why should you not use IPL to treat melasma?
In the absolute majority of cases, IPL will flare melasma as there is too much collateral heat. This results in rebound melasma. The majority of patients will receive satisfactory outcomes initially as the upper layers of pigmentation are targeted. Once this pigment is pushed out (flaking, Milo spots), the pigment cells known as melanocytes react by producing much more pigment.
Melasma should be managed medically using tyrosinase inhibitors, fibrinogen modulators as well as lasers to reduce the output of melanin or pigment. See the section on melasma for more information on how dermatologists manage this condition.
Why should you not use IPL for hair removal?
Dedicated hair removal lasers do a much better job than IPL for hair removal. It is well known that IPL can leave less pigmented hairs that are infinitely harder to target with specific hair removal lasers. IPL hair removal has been outdated for over 15 years.
What is the best laser for skin rejuvenation?
At Cutis we have over 25 lasers & energy devices, hence we match the best solution for your skin concerns. As a guide-
- LIght resurfacing & rejuvenation can be achieved with Clear & Brilliant lasers, LaseMD, light Fraxel, IPL, Laser Genesis, Pico lasers & dermal toning devices.
- Medium resurfacing & rejuvenation can be provided with Fraxel, LaseMD, combination lasers, microneedling, & RF microneedling with Infini/Genius.
- Heavy resurfacing can be achieved with CO2, erbium & hybrid laser resurfacing.
Do IPL treatments have side effects?
Treatments can cause hypopigmentation (skin lightening) or hyperpigmentation (skin darkening). Patterning or striping is not a side effect, but part of the healing process. This is common if you have extensive sun damage. Subsequent treatments will reduce the demarcation lines.
By far the biggest side effect of IPL is rebound melasma. This due to the excessive heat produced by light. Fortunately, most cases can be easily treated with tyrosinase inhibitors, modulators as well as low powered lasers.
Your skin therapist will take you through all the potential risks and side effects during your consultation.
What is BBL & how is it different from IPL?
BroadBand Light (BBL) is the world’s most powerful IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) device on the market. This device is made by Scition. The speed of this device, coupled with energy & precise cooling makes it one of the best IPL platforms on the market.
What is the cost of IPL?
IPL treatments range from $250 to $490, depending on the areas treated. To see if IPL or BBL is the correct treatment for your skin type & concerns, book a FREE consultation with the nursing team @cliniccutis.
Davin’s Viewpoint on IPL treatments
IPL was the first ever device we acquired as this machine is super flexible; it does a lot of things, however, does not really excel at one (apart from pigment removal from large surface areas). Since its inception in the 2000s, technology has caught up with IPL, including the development of fractional lasers around 2010 & pico lasers half a decade later.
Newer, more specific lasers generally provide a better outcome, with less downtime. Nevertheless, we still employ IPL – BBL for the treatment of pigmentation & sun damage in areas such as the torso (back & chest) as well as limbs.