IPL treatments are an effective way to reduce age spots, lines, and wrinkles as well as eliminate unwanted hair growth.
IPL treatments are very safe, though some skin types may experience slight discomfort from them. Mild redness or swelling may occur, although any side effects should subside quickly.
Discomfort
IPL treatments use a broad spectrum of light rather than laser to alter your skin, making them less potent than laser therapies and potentially needing multiple sessions before reaching desired results. However, discomfort from IPL hair removal treatments tends to be lower due to not targeting epidermis shedding naturally when new growth emerges; laser therapies on the other hand target this layer directly which may result in pain or swelling from laser exposure.
At an IPL session, medical professionals will apply a protective eye mask and rub lubricant on the targeted area before using their device to avoid burns. While you may feel some stinging sensation when the IPL flashes its light onto your skin, it should not be painful. If you have low pain tolerance, they may use numbing cream prior to your session.
When it comes to IPL treatments, there are various options available to you. From at-home devices such as Lumea to salon and clinic sessions. Most IPL options tend to have comparable costs as laser sessions but provide greater convenience by being available whenever convenient without traveling long distances for appointments. Unfortunately, these devices do not produce results comparable to professional in-clinic laser sessions.
If IPL interests you, consult with a doctor or dermatologist and determine if it will be effective for you. Many factors affect whether the procedure will be beneficial, including age, skin tone and desired results. IPL typically works best on individuals with lighter skintone and may require multiple rounds of treatments before showing visible results.
IPL treatment can also reduce the appearance of dark spots caused by sun exposure, harsh cleansers or simply getting older – leaving your skin looking younger and radiant! For people with sensitive skin it’s an ideal alternative as its gentle approach won’t harm surrounding tissue as would laser treatment would.
Time
IPL treatments utilize a handheld device to deliver pulses of light that penetrate deep into the epidermis, turning into heat energy that destroys pigment and hair follicles, leaving skin smooth and even. Additionally, this treatment can also reduce vascular lesions and brown spots; multiple sessions may be required before seeing desired results.
Pain levels will depend on each individual, but most find IPL hair removal less painful than laser treatments. Some describe the sensation as similar to getting a tattoo or being flicked with a rubber band; when discussing pain tolerance levels with your physician it’s essential that they formulate an individualized treatment plan to meet them.
After IPL treatment, the treated area may appear red or pink for up to 8 hours following. You may experience a stinging sensation during this time; cooling compresses or moisturizer can help alleviate this discomfort. Furthermore, sun exposure must be avoided at all costs following IPL; use broad spectrum sunscreen when out in direct sunlight if necessary.
IPL treatments differ from traditional hair removal techniques in that they target tunnel-like hair follicles beneath the skin’s surface. Traditional methods, like shaving and waxing, remove visible part of hair but leave its root intact – leading it to grow back quickly within 24 hours or so. With IPL treatment however, follicles are destroyed, disrupting hair growth – usually requiring multiple sessions before you see maximum results.
As part of your treatment, dark glasses will be provided to shield your eyes from light exposure. A dermatologist will then apply a cool gel on the target area of skin before beginning with flashes of light that break apart pigment on skin surface cells and penetrate deeper layers to destroy hair follicles and the pigment they produce. This process is fast and efficient allowing busy schedules more convenient treatment of larger areas simultaneously by the dermatologist – perfect for treating large areas at once!
Cost
Laser hair removal utilizes a concentrated beam of light to target individual follicles without harming surrounding skin tissue, creating faster treatment times and more precise treatment of blemishes without damaging surrounding tissue. However, this requires multiple sessions for permanent results as well as being uncomfortable for many people. IPL, on the other hand, uses broad spectrum light instead to destroy hair follicles and prevent growth; its less painful approach makes it more suitable for darker skin tones.
IPL devices use a broad spectrum of light to target skin blemishes more effectively than laser machines. The light absorbs into dark pigments in your skin and converts them to heat, providing relief for freckles, sun damage and age spots by disabling their production and treating scars while decreasing stretch marks and melisma.
IPL treatment should not be undertaken during pregnancy or while on blood-thinners. Tanning should also be avoided prior to an IPL session for maximum effectiveness and safety. While most individuals can undergo this treatment safely, if you’re considering IPL as part of your skin-care regime it would be wise to speak with an esthetician first before proceeding with treatment.
Procedure itself is relatively pain-free; however, the post-procedure discomfort may last 4 to 6 hours afterward and should subside with use of cold compress or moisturization of treated areas. Some individuals may notice some minor scabbing around areas treated afterward which will usually dissipate over time without medical intervention.
IPL treatments tend to be cheaper than laser ones due to IPL’s wider light source being less costly to produce and cheaper operation costs than laser ones. Therefore, the overall cost is substantially reduced, making IPL an appealing option for people with sensitive skin or those on a tight budget who want results at a competitive price point. Professionals such as Dr. Jinah Yoo, who specializes in clinical dermatology, immunology & immunogenetics as well as skin aging & aesthetic medicine often recommend it for optimal results.
Complications
An IPL treatment involves medical professionals using a handheld device that emits pulses of light to penetrate the skin and absorb pigments found within hair follicles, whereupon this energy converts into heat energy and destroys unwanted pigmentation or interrupts hair growth cycle. While its results tend to be long-lasting and effective, IPL treatments do come with risks; though most are minimal; pain, redness or blistering could occur at times during or post treatment; thus it’s essential that patients follow all pre and post-treatment instructions when seeking IPL treatment from trusted practitioners.
IPL treatments typically cause minimal discomfort, depending on a patient’s tolerance level and any medications taken to decrease sensation or topical anesthetic used during treatment. Most patients describe IPL as feeling like having rubber bands flicked against their skin; those with sensitive skin or history of keloid scarring should steer clear as IPL could trigger these conditions.
Prior to an IPL treatment session, it is vital that no plunder, waxing or razor shaving takes place as this could inhibit its success and damage eyes directly if seen directly by looking directly into its light spectrum. Therefore, anyone receiving IPL must wear protective goggles.
IPL may not be suitable for all skin types; it works best on those with darker complexions and dark blond to black hair. People with lighter complexions should instead consider laser treatment instead.
IPL treatments offer a safe and noninvasive means to address issues caused by years of unprotected sun exposure, harsh cleansers and natural aging processes. If targeted solutions are what’s desired then laser therapies could offer more targeted results faster. Before making your decision though it’s wise to consult a dermatologist first so they can determine which option would work best.
