IPL Photo-Rejuvenation
IPL Photo-Rejuvenation is a light-based treatment used to improve the appearance of sun damage, brown spots, redness and visible facial vessels. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) delivers controlled pulses of broad-spectrum light into targeted areas of the skin without ablating the skin’s surface.
At View Laser in Delta and Tsawwassen, IPL treatments are customized based on your skin, areas of concern and treatment goals.
IPL Photo-Rejuvenation may help improve the appearance of:
- Sun damage
- Brown spots and sun spots
- Freckles
- Uneven-looking pigmentation
- Facial redness
- Visible facial vessels and broken capillaries
- Signs of photodamage
- Uneven-looking skin tone
- Overall skin brightness and clarity
Common treatment areas include the face, neck, chest, décolletage and hands.
Not every type of pigmentation or redness is appropriate for IPL. An assessment is important to determine the cause of the concern and whether IPL is an appropriate treatment.
View Laser uses the Cynosure Palomar Icon® IPL system for photo-rejuvenation treatments.
IPL differs from a laser in that it delivers multiple wavelengths of light rather than a single wavelength. Selected wavelengths are absorbed by specific targets within the skin, including melanin in areas of unwanted pigmentation and hemoglobin within visible blood vessels.
The absorbed light is converted to heat, helping to reduce the appearance of selected pigmented and vascular concerns while leaving surrounding tissue largely unaffected.
For brown pigmentation, treated spots may initially darken before gradually fading or shedding as the skin renews. When targeting redness and visible vessels, light energy is absorbed by hemoglobin within the vessels, helping reduce their appearance over time.
Each treatment typically takes approximately 20-40 minutes depending on the area being treated.
Treatment settings are carefully selected based on your skin characteristics, pigmentation, treatment area and individual concerns.
Avoid tanning, self-tanner and significant sun exposure before IPL treatment. Treatment should not be performed over recently tanned or sunburned skin.
Let your provider know about medications, supplements, prescription skincare, recent procedures and any history of abnormal pigmentation, photosensitivity or skin conditions.
Certain medications and active skincare products may need to be temporarily discontinued before treatment.
Your provider will give you individualized preparation instructions based on your skin and treatment plan.
Temporary redness, warmth or swelling may occur following IPL treatment. Pigmented areas may become temporarily darker before gradually fading or flaking.
Avoid picking, scratching or aggressively exfoliating treated areas. Keep your skincare gentle while the skin settles.
Sun exposure should be minimized following treatment, and consistent broad-spectrum sunscreen is particularly important to protect the treated skin and reduce the development of additional sun damage.
Exercise, saunas, hot tubs and other activities that significantly increase skin temperature may need to be temporarily avoided following treatment.
Your provider will advise when you can resume active skincare products and your usual routine.
