What is an IPL photofacial and what does it treat?
An IPL photofacial uses intense pulsed light to target brown spots, sun damage, redness, broken capillaries and rosacea. The light is absorbed by pigment and blood vessels, which darken and flake off or fade over one to two weeks. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes with minimal downtime, and a series of three to five treatments gives clearer, more even skin.
IPL is the workhorse for tone. Where lasers for texture change the surface of the skin, IPL targets the color problems underneath: the brown of sun damage and the red of vessels.
What to expect
- A snapping sensation and warmth with each pulse; cooling gel keeps it comfortable
- Brown spots darken for a few days, then flake away
- Redness fades over a week or two
- Three to five treatments, four weeks apart, then yearly maintenance
IPL is not suitable for darker skin tones or tanned skin because it targets pigment. Skinpeccable uses the Palomar ICON and InMode Lumecca IPL platforms, chosen for their power and precision, under the direction of Dr. Darvish. See IPL photofacial.
Related
More about lasers, resurfacing & tightening
What is the best laser for wrinkles?
For deep, etched wrinkles the fractional CO2 laser gives the biggest single-treatment improvement. For fine lines with little downtime, CoolPeel, Fractora radiofrequency microneedling and fractional non-ablative lasers work well over a short series. The best choice depends on how deep the lines are, your skin tone and how much recovery time you can take. Read more
What is CO2 laser resurfacing and what does it treat?
CO2 laser resurfacing uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove damaged outer skin and heat the deeper layer, triggering strong collagen rebuilding. In fractional mode it treats a grid of microscopic columns, leaving skin between them intact for faster healing. It is the most powerful treatment for deep wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage and crepey skin, with about a week of downtime. Read more
What is a CoolPeel laser treatment?
CoolPeel is a CO2 laser treatment that uses very short, high-energy pulses to remove the damaged surface of the skin without heating the deeper layers, so recovery is one to two days of redness instead of a week. It improves texture, pores, fine lines and sun damage in a 15-minute session and is often repeated two or three times for the best result. Read more
What is the best treatment for acne scars?
The best acne scar treatments rebuild collagen beneath the scar: fractional CO2 laser for the biggest change in one treatment, Fractora radiofrequency microneedling for all skin tones with less downtime, and SkinPen or VAMP microneedling for a gentler series. Deep, tethered scars often need subcision or filler as well. A combination plan usually gives the best result. Read more
What is Fractora and how does it compare to Morpheus8?
Fractora is a radiofrequency microneedling treatment from InMode that delivers RF energy through an array of fine pins to resurface the skin and tighten the layers beneath. It treats acne scars, fine lines, texture and laxity with three to five days of downtime and is safe for all skin tones. Morpheus8 is InMode's newer deeper-reaching version of the same technology. Read more
What are the best non-surgical skin tightening treatments?
The best non-surgical skin tightening treatments heat the deeper skin to contract and rebuild collagen: Forma radiofrequency for early laxity with no downtime, Fractora RF microneedling for tightening plus resurfacing, fractional laser tightening for moderate laxity, and fractional CO2 for the strongest effect. For the body, BodyFX tightens while reducing fat. None replaces a facelift for significant sagging. Read more
What is Forma skin tightening?
Forma is a radiofrequency treatment that heats the deeper skin to a precise temperature and holds it there, contracting existing collagen and stimulating new collagen. It feels like a warm massage, has no downtime, is safe for every skin tone, and is used on the jawline, neck, eyes, cheeks and forehead. A series of six weekly sessions gives the best result, with maintenance every few months. Read more
Can lasers remove brown spots and sun damage?
Yes. IPL photofacials and pigment lasers target the melanin in sun spots, age spots and freckles, which darken and flake off within one to two weeks. A series of two to four treatments clears most sun damage on the face, chest and hands. Melasma is different and needs a gentler, combined approach, since aggressive laser can make it worse. Read more