IPL FAQs

IPL delivers pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by pigment and redness, helping the body gradually break down and clear unwanted discoloration. Over time, treated brown spots may darken, flake, or fade as the skin renews.

IPL can help improve sun damage, age spots, freckles, uneven pigmentation, redness, visible vessels, rosacea-prone redness, and overall dullness. It may also help improve some post-acne redness or discoloration, depending on the skin.

No. IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light, while a laser uses a single focused wavelength. IPL is often used for broader concerns like sun damage, redness, and uneven tone, while lasers are usually more targeted depending on the condition being treated.

IPL works best on lighter skin tones and is not always appropriate for darker skin tones, recently tanned skin, or pigment-prone skin. A consultation is important so we can evaluate your skin type, sun exposure, and risk for unwanted pigmentation before treatment.

Most patients describe IPL as a quick snapping or rubber-band sensation on the skin. It is usually very tolerable and does not require much downtime. Sensitivity may vary depending on the treatment area and settings used.

After IPL, your skin may look red or feel warm for a few hours. Brown spots and freckles may temporarily darken before they fade or flake away. Mild swelling, sensitivity, and a slightly “sunburned” feeling can happen, especially in areas with more pigment or redness.

IPL usually has minimal social downtime. Redness often improves within a few hours to a couple of days. Darkened pigment may look more noticeable for several days before it begins to fade. Some patients can return to normal activities quickly, but sun avoidance is important.

Avoid tanning, self-tanner, tanning beds, and direct sun exposure before treatment. You may also need to pause certain active skincare products, such as retinoids or exfoliating acids, before your appointment. Arrive with clean skin and let your provider know about medications, recent sun exposure, or any history of cold sores.

Avoid direct sun exposure, tanning, hot tubs, saunas, heavy sweating, intense exercise, harsh skincare, retinoids, exfoliating acids, picking, waxing, or scrubbing the treated area until cleared by your provider. Use gentle skincare and broad-spectrum sunscreen while the skin heals.

Most patients need a series of 3 to 5 treatments for best results, usually spaced several weeks apart. The exact number depends on the amount of sun damage, redness, pigment, and your overall skin goals.

Some redness may improve within days, while brown spots often darken first and then gradually fade. Full results usually develop over several weeks, and the best results are typically seen after a series of treatments.

Results can last several months or longer with good skincare and consistent sun protection. New sun exposure, tanning, hormones, and the natural aging process can cause new pigment or redness to appear over time, so maintenance treatments may be recommended.

IPL can significantly reduce the appearance of many brown spots and sun damage, but it does not stop your skin from making new pigment. Daily sunscreen and sun protection are the biggest factors in keeping results longer.

A consultation is the best way to decide. IPL may be a good option if you want to improve sun damage, redness, freckles, brown spots, or uneven skin tone. If your concerns involve deeper wrinkles, texture, acne scars, melasma, or significant skin laxity, another treatment may be a better fit.