IPL Rejuvenation
Pigmentation
Breakouts
30 mins
IPL 'Intense Pulsed Light' is an effective rejuvenation treatment using light therapy to break down melanin in the skin, reversing pigmentation and creating a more even skin tone. IPL is also used to effectively treat acne and breakouts, destroying bacteria and calming inflammation.
The treatment experience
You'll wear dark glasses to shield your eyes. A cold gel is applied to the area to lubricate the skin so the handpiece moves easily. As the IPL is administered, the nurse moves the hand-piece over the skin in pulses. The procedure takes 30 minutes in total.
It's best for
- Broken capillaries
- Treating pigmentation
- Discolouration
- Redness
"I have IPL every 3 or 4 months, it gets rid of all the redness and discolouration in my skin and gives it a bit of a tighten. It is my go-to treatment."
- Eliza, 38
Pre and post care
You'll have an immediate darkening of the pigmentation, the skin will feel warm and tingly. This may last for 24 hours. Over the next week or so after the treatment, brown spots and pigmented areas will turn darker and/or appear more obvious as the body breaks down the melanin that has been released. The real results become evident after 2 weeks when you will visibly notice a reduction in pigmentation, redness and improvement in overall skin tone.
There is no downtime to IPL and you can resume normal activities immediately. However you should avoid the following for 24 hours:
- Strenuous exercise
- Consumption of alcohol
- Scrubbing, rubbing, shaving or waxing the treatment area.
- Using medical grade vitamin A
It is also recommended to avoid the following for two weeks:
- Direct exposure to sun or uv light
- Extended exposure to heat or freezing temperatures
Exposure to any of the above may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching. If you experience crusting on the treatment area you can apply a rescue balm or ice pack to aid with healing.
We always recommend the use of sunscreen to prevent sun damage to the skin. Sunscreen with SPF 30 or above should be used daily. If you are under the sun for prolonged periods of time, sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least once every two hours.
Common questions
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a modern form of light based therapy used to rejuvenate the skin. A beam of many different wavelengths of light is absorbed into targeted skin cells to repair damage and breakdown accumulated spots of melanin, such as pigmentation, spotting and redness.
IPL treatments can be effectively used to treat:
- Freckles, sunspots and other hyperpigmented areas
- Broken capillaries
- Rosacea and/or redness
- Uneven colouring
- Acne (the light energy destroys bacteria colonising your skin)
The risks from IPL are minimal. On rare occasions, if not performed by trained professionals, burns or scarring may occur. At The Clinic, we employ only have Registered Nurses to ensure the highest quality of care.
There are some common side effects with IPL rejuvenation procedures, such as redness or slight swelling, which will subside within 48 hours. You will experience an initial darkening of your pigmented area, which is normal as your body breaks down the melanin that has been released during the treatment.
Due to the light therapy used, IPL is not recommended during pregnancy.
It depends on your treatment area and desired results. We recommend between 1 and 3 sessions to see long-term improvement for most clients.
While there is a noticeable sensation, there is little pain. It could be likened to a hair elastic being snapped against your skin.
Whilst we have seen amazing results from IPL for a range of skin concerns, please know that results from vary and we cannot make guarantees. We recommend coming and speaking to our registered nurses for an in-depth consultation. They will discuss in detail how IPL works, whether it will be right for your skin type and the expected results in line with your skin goals.