Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
When treating pigmentation, IPL works by releasing short pulses of filtered light which is attracted and then absorbed by the pigmentation.
What is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment (superior Lumenis Quantum) is a fantastic skin rejuvenation treatment which can also be used to treat specific skin conditions such as:
- Pigmentation – sun damage, age spots, freckles, brown spots, dark patches, uneven skin tone
- Hormonal Pigmentation – can occur during pregnancy or as a result the contraceptive pill
- Facial redness and flushing
- Broken capillaries/Thread veins
How does IPL work?
When treating pigmentation, IPL works by releasing short pulses of filtered light which is attracted and then absorbed by the pigmentation. This process heats the pigment without affecting the surrounding skin, the body then eliminates the pigmentation via a natural process referred to as phagocytosis.
When treating redness / broken capillaries – The short pulses of light are absorbed by the blood vessels heating them to a point of destruction. In the following weeks the vessels are reabsorbed by the body via phagocytosis.
Before and after
Who would be suitable for IPL?
IPL is suitable for fairer skin tones, it is not suitable for darker skin types (due to the risk of adverse effects) and tanned individuals. The risk of post treatment complications such as pigmentation disturbances increases if a sun tan is present.
Large raised areas of pigmentation and moles cannot be treated with Intense Pulsed Light, a consultation with Mr Lee is available for this concern.
Pigmentation caused by sun damage (sun spots and freckles) respond very well to treatment, as they are more superficial. Background redness and broken capillaries also respond extremely well to treatment.
A thorough consultation will be performed prior to treatment in order to confirm suitability for treatment. A patch test will be carried out at least 48 hours before any treatment to assess skin reaction.
IPL treatment and results
A treatment gel is applied to the skin- the treatment is then performed. It feels like a warm pinch and is similar to a rubber band flicking on the skin. Ice and post treatment recovery cream is then applied. The treatment usually takes 30 minutes- 60 minutes to be performed.
When treating redness / broken capillaries – The short pulses of light are absorbed by the blood vessels heating them to a point of destruction. In the following weeks the vessels are reabsorbed by the body via phagocytosis.
Following treatment the following side effects are common:
- Bruising,
- swelling,
- mild heat sensation,
- darkening of pigmentation and vascular lesions
IPL will make patients more sensitive to UV light so we recommend wearing SPF 50 throughout the course of treatments.
Treatments should be performed every 4 – 6 weeks, most people will require 3 – 6 sessions. During the course of treatments patients should notice-
- Pigmentation reduction
- Improvement in facial flushing and thread veins
- Clearer, softer skin
Maintenance sessions/other treatments may be recommended alongside IPL to optimise the results.
Pricing
3 treatments of IPL to the Full Face
£595