IPL Rejuvenation
Pigmentation
Breakouts
30 mins
IPL 'Intense Pulsed Light' is a rejuvenation treatment using light therapy to break down melanin in the skin, targeting pigmentation for a more even skin tone. IPL is also used to help treat the appearance of redness associated with breakouts and broken capillaries.
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 hand-piece is moved over the skin in pulses. The procedure takes 30 minutes in total.
It's best for
- Broken capillaries
- Pigmentation
- Discolouration
- Redness
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. Real results typically become evident after 2 weeks, when many clients notice a reduction in pigmentation, redness and an improvement in overall skin tone.
Downtime is minimal with IPL and most normal activities can resume the same day. We do recommend avoiding 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 by pigment and blood vessels in the skin to improve the appearance of spots and redness.
IPL treatments can be used to treat:
- Freckles, sunspots and other hyperpigmented areas
- Broken capillaries
- Rosacea and/or redness
- Uneven colouring
- The appearance of redness associated with breakouts
Common effects are redness, swelling and temporary darkening of pigment. Less common risks include blistering, burns, lasting pigment changes and, rarely, scarring. Treatments are performed by our registered nurses.
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.
Most clients describe a snapping sensation, like a hair elastic. Comfort levels vary.
Results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Your nurse will discuss suitability, risks, recovery and expected results with you at consultation. They will discuss in detail how the treatment works, whether it will be right for your skin type and the expected results in line with your skin goals.