Different Types of Lesions That Can Be Treated with the IPL
Also sometimes referred to as a photo facial, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy has been proven to be an effective way to enhance the overall texture and colour of the skin without the need for invasive surgical procedures.
How Does IPL Treatment Work?
IPL therapy uses different wavelengths of pulsating light, which target certain colour pigments in the skin. During the treatment, heat penetrates the skin and kick-starts the body's natural healing processes that remove unwanted cells.
You might be most familiar with IPL therapy for hair removal, however it can also be used to treat a variety of different skin lesions and concerns. So, let's run through some of the most common skin issues that IPL therapy can be used to treat.
Spider Veins
IPL therapy was developed in the early 1990s and was originally designed to target telangiectasias or spider veins in the legs. As a number of treatment areas are suitable for IPL therapy, it can now be used to treat spider veins on other areas of the body, including the hands, chest and face.
The wavelengths emitted by the IPL device use heat to cause damage to spider or thread veins, which prompts them to collapse and be reabsorbed into the body as the natural healing process plays out. Over time, these veins will fade and reveal a noticeably more even complexion.
Acne and Acne Scarring
IPL therapy can help to treat both acne symptoms and acne scarring, and there are many case studies that show this type of treatment can lead to a significant reduction in the number and severity of acne symptoms. However, please note that you may require multiple treatment sessions before results start to become apparent.
Pigmentation
The variety of wavelengths emitted throughout IPL therapy can target the melanin sitting just beneath the skin's surface, causing areas of pigmentation. As IPL wavelengths cause damage to these areas of pigmentation, the body's healing processes remove them, resulting in a complexion that looks significantly more even in tone.
There are many different types of pigmentation that can be treated with a course of IPL therapy, including lentigines, melasma, port wine stains, and ephelides or freckles.
Rosacea and Skin Flushing
Rosacea is a skin condition that can cause flushing, areas of redness and the dilation of small blood vessels across the nose and cheeks. IPL treatment for rosacea works in much the same way as the treatment for spider or thread veins, however the treatment area here tends to be larger.
What Can I Expect From My IPL Therapy Session?
At the beginning of your IPL therapy appointment, your practitioner will clean the treatment area and apply a cooling gel onto the skin. The IPL device will then be used to apply pulses of light at specific wavelengths to your skin. These pulses can cause some mild discomfort, with many patients describing it as a slight stinging sensation.
The length of time your treatment will take depends on the size and location of the treatment area, however you can reasonably expect it to take between 20 and 30 minutes.
What Can I Expect After My IPL Therapy Session?
The treatment area is likely to look and feel slightly red and sensitive for a couple of hours after your session, however you should be able to get on with your regular activities. While many people start to see results following their first treatment, generally a course of between three and six treatment sessions will provide the best possible outcomes.
If you think IPL therapy could be right for you, please don't hesitate to reach out to my team who are on hand to help you arrange a consultation appointment at a time that best suits you.