Treatments

By palmeiraclinic@gmail.com

IPL Photorejuvenation

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Quick Summary

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Investment

IPL Photorejuvenation — from £[insert price]You may eventually want separate pricing for:• Full Face• Face + Neck• Face + Neck + Décolletage• Hands• Individual vascular/pigmented areas

What it is and how it works

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Although it is often grouped together with laser treatments, IPL is not technically a laser. A laser generally produces a relatively specific wavelength of light. IPL uses a broad spectrum of light and filters this energy so that selected wavelength ranges can be used according to the structures being targeted. This makes IPL particularly useful where a complexion contains a mixture of superficial brown pigmentation and visible redness. Common treatment goals include reducing the appearance of sun spots, freckles and other selected superficial pigmentation, as well as diffuse redness and small visible blood vessels. IPL is therefore often described as photorejuvenation because treatment can improve overall colour uniformity and clarity rather than altering facial shape or volume. The strongest and most established aesthetic uses of IPL photorejuvenation are improvement of unwanted superficial pigmentation and vascular redness. IPL can be particularly useful where photodamaged skin shows a combination of brown and red colour changes. Evidence for improvement in pigmentation and vascular lesions is stronger than evidence for treating wrinkles themselves. For this reason, Palmeira Clinic will position IPL primarily as a treatment for colour, clarity and photodamage rather than promising major wrinkle reduction or skin tightening.

What it may help with

• Can reduce selected sun-related brown pigmentation
• Can improve freckles and solar lentigines where appropriate
• Can reduce diffuse facial redness
• Can improve the appearance of selected superficial blood vessels
• Can treat both pigment and vascular colour changes within the same overall treatment approach
• Can improve overall skin tone and clarity
• Non-ablative — it does not intentionally remove the surface of the skin
• Generally involves less downtime than ablative resurfacing
• Can complement resurfacing treatments such as UltraClear where both colour and texture need addressing

Suitable for

IPL may be suitable for adults concerned about sun-related pigmentation, freckles, age spots, diffuse facial redness, visible superficial vessels or a generally uneven complexion. It can be particularly useful for photodamaged skin where both brown pigmentation and redness are present. IPL is not appropriate for every pigmentation problem. Pigmented lesions should be appropriately assessed before treatment, and suspicious or uncertain lesions should not simply be treated cosmetically. Skin colour, tanning, recent sun exposure and the nature and depth of pigmentation all influence whether IPL is appropriate and which settings can be used safely.

Areas treated

Depending on assessment and the IPL platform used, common areas can include:
• Face
• Cheeks
• Nose
• Neck
• Décolletage / chest
• Hands
• Other areas of sun-related pigmentation where appropriate
Treatment parameters are selected according to the area, skin type and target.

What happens on the day

Before treatment, your skin and the pigmentation or vascular concern are assessed. Recent sun exposure, tanning, medical history, medicines and skincare are reviewed because these can affect treatment safety. Protective eyewear is worn during the procedure. A cooling system and/or gel may be used depending on the IPL platform. The handpiece is placed against the skin and delivers a sequence of controlled flashes of light. Patients often describe the sensation as brief heat or a snap against the skin. Settings including wavelength filter, energy, pulse duration and pulse sequence are selected according to your skin type and the chromophore being targeted. A course of treatments is often used because different lesions and areas respond at different rates.

Downtime and Aftercare

Temporary redness, warmth and mild swelling are common following IPL and can resemble a mild sunburn. When brown pigmentation is treated, the targeted spots can initially become darker or appear more prominent. This is an expected response in appropriately selected superficial pigmentation and the pigment can subsequently become dry or develop a fine ‘coffee-ground’ appearance before shedding over the following days. Vascular areas can temporarily look redder or, depending on the treatment response, develop bruising or purpura. Most people have relatively limited downtime, but recovery varies according to treatment intensity, target and individual skin response. Sun protection is particularly important before and after treatment.

Risks and side effects

Expected temporary effects include redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness and temporary darkening of treated pigmentation. Other possible adverse effects include blistering, crusting, bruising, burns, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and, rarely, scarring. Because melanin absorbs IPL energy, inappropriate treatment parameters can cause excessive heating of epidermal pigment. This is particularly important in recently tanned skin and in darker skin types, where careful patient selection and parameter choice are essential. Eye protection is required during treatment. Pigmented lesions that are suspicious, changing or diagnostically uncertain should be medically assessed rather than treated cosmetically with IPL.

Contraindications

IPL may need to be avoided or postponed where there is recent tanning or significant sun exposure, active infection or inflammation in the treatment area, certain photosensitising medicines, relevant medical conditions or other factors increasing sensitivity to light. Pregnancy, previous abnormal reactions to light-based treatments, history of pigmentary complications and current skincare or medication should be discussed during consultation. The suitability of darker skin types requires particular consideration because epidermal melanin competes for absorption of light energy and can increase the risk of burns and pigmentary change. A full skin and medical assessment will be completed before treatment.

Concerns this treatment may help

    Frequently Asked Questions

    No. A laser typically produces a relatively specific wavelength of light, whereas IPL produces a broad spectrum of light that is filtered to select wavelength ranges appropriate for the treatment target. This allows IPL to target different chromophores, particularly melanin in brown pigmentation and haemoglobin in superficial blood vessels.

    No. A laser typically produces a relatively specific wavelength of light, whereas IPL produces a broad spectrum of light that is filtered to select wavelength ranges appropriate for the treatment target. This allows IPL to target different chromophores, particularly melanin in brown pigmentation and haemoglobin in superficial blood vessels.

    Appropriately treated superficial pigmentation commonly becomes darker before it improves. The targeted pigment can develop a darker or fine ‘coffee-ground’ appearance and then gradually flake or fade over the following days. It is important not to pick or scrub the area and to follow the aftercare and sun-protection advice provided.

    Appropriately treated superficial pigmentation commonly becomes darker before it improves. The targeted pigment can develop a darker or fine ‘coffee-ground’ appearance and then gradually flake or fade over the following days. It is important not to pick or scrub the area and to follow the aftercare and sun-protection advice provided.

    IPL can be used to improve selected vascular concerns because haemoglobin within blood vessels absorbs particular wavelengths of light. The absorbed energy is converted into heat, which can damage the targeted vascular structure so that it becomes less visible. Suitability depends on the type, depth and cause of the redness or vessel.

    IPL can be used to improve selected vascular concerns because haemoglobin within blood vessels absorbs particular wavelengths of light. The absorbed energy is converted into heat, which can damage the targeted vascular structure so that it becomes less visible. Suitability depends on the type, depth and cause of the redness or vessel.

    There is no single number appropriate for everyone. IPL is often performed as a course, with the number and spacing determined by the concern, treatment area, skin type, response and device protocol. Published clinical resources commonly describe treatment courses rather than relying on a single session.

    There is no single number appropriate for everyone. IPL is often performed as a course, with the number and spacing determined by the concern, treatment area, skin type, response and device protocol. Published clinical resources commonly describe treatment courses rather than relying on a single session.

    IPL is best established for unwanted pigmentation and vascular redness. Some studies have reported improvements in aspects of skin texture, but evidence for wrinkle reduction is less consistent. If wrinkles, scarring or significant texture are the main concern, a resurfacing treatment such as UltraClear or another treatment may be more appropriate.

    IPL is best established for unwanted pigmentation and vascular redness. Some studies have reported improvements in aspects of skin texture, but evidence for wrinkle reduction is less consistent. If wrinkles, scarring or significant texture are the main concern, a resurfacing treatment such as UltraClear or another treatment may be more appropriate.

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        DISCLAIMER

        Important information

        All treatments are subject to a consultation and medical assessment. Aesthetic outcomes depend on many unique factors, including individual anatomy, skin quality, age, medical history, and lifestyle habits. No specific result can be guaranteed. The information on this page is for general education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
        Photos and descriptions on this website represent typical outcomes but do not guarantee that your results will be the same.

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