IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a device technology that delivers light to the skin across a broad range of wavelengths. Unlike a laser, IPL uses “broad-spectrum” light, which carries several wavelengths together rather than a single one.
This light attaches selectively to particular targets within the skin — the pigment (melanin) in areas of discolouration, or the blood cells (haemoglobin) in the small vessels that cause redness — and converts into heat, affecting only that target. The surrounding healthy tissue is largely left alone; this principle is called “selective photothermolysis”.
Which Concerns Is It Used For?
- Pigmentation problems such as sun spots, age spots and freckles
- Rosacea, diffuse redness and fine vessels (dilated capillaries)
- General unevenness of skin tone and signs of early sun-related ageing
- Redness and textural irregularity related to mild acne
IPL stands out for its ability to address more than one skin concern at once — pigmentation and redness, for instance — within a single session.
The Difference Between IPL and Laser
Because a laser works at a single, precise wavelength, it can be aimed at one specific target — an individual vessel, or one type of pigmented lesion — with great focus. IPL, using a broad spectrum of light, can address several skin concerns together in the same session, which makes it a more general treatment aimed at evening out skin tone. In the clinic, IPL can be planned alongside Fotona laser protocols, or as a complement to them, according to need.
Who Is It Suitable For?
IPL gives its safest and most effective results on light and medium skin tones. On darker skin tones the skin’s own pigment absorbs too much of the light, so treatment parameters must be chosen far more carefully; this is why assessing the skin type during the examination matters a great deal. Treatment should also be postponed on skin that has recently been exposed to the sun or is tanned.
The Procedure and Afterwards
Before the procedure the skin is cleansed and a cooling gel is applied to the area. The IPL device is moved over the skin, delivering pulses of light; most patients describe a mild sensation, like the snap of an elastic band. Afterwards, pigmented spots may darken temporarily; within a few days these flake away from the surface and leave a lighter appearance. Where redness is the concern, the improvement is more gradual.
Apart from mild redness, no visible mark remains afterwards, and a return to daily life is usually possible the same day. After treatment, sun protection and the regular use of sunscreen matter both for the durability of the result and for the safety of the skin. A programme of several sessions is generally recommended to reach the expected result; the number of sessions and the intervals between them are decided individually after the examination.