IPL Treatment for Pigmentation Removal

Using focused pulses of broad-spectrum light, the IPL treatment reduces sunspots, freckles, uneven skin tone, and superficial pigmentation. Indeed, IPL treatment for pigmentation removal is one of the fastest and easiest ways of treating skin blemishes.

IPL also focuses on a dark pigment called melanin. The treatment breaks up melanin's cells to eliminate dark spots, freckles, and other discoloration due to UV exposure. Following treatment, these dark spots will either scab over and flake away or be removed naturally by the body's lymphatic system.

This article will discuss how IPL for skin discoloration works and why it's the most effective skin treatment available!

How Does IPL Work on Pigmentation?

Like laser treatments, the IPL treatment for skin pigmentation uses light energy. The difference between IPL and a laser is that IPL focuses a multitude of wavelengths of light on your skin, similar to a photo flash. IPL also emits less focused and scattered light. The light penetrates your skin without causing damage to the top layer of your skin.

An IPL treatment is a non-invasive and effective way of reducing and removing pigmentation. Over time, the Sun's rays darken certain patches of skin, which is called pigmentation. Whenever inflamed skin is exposed to the Sun, it will increase pigment levels. This is also true for acne and boils.

The light energy from the machine heats the superficial skin and pulls pigment to the surface of your skin. These pigment spots will then darken and eventually be absorbed into the body or flake off after a few days.

If years of sun exposure have left their mark on your skin, then an Intense Pulse Light or IPL photo facial for hyperpigmentation could provide you with fantastic, rejuvenated results. This revolutionary treatment can help you reduce redness, even out pigmentation, and soften your skin's complexion for a healthier appearance.

Is it Safe to Use IPL for Skin Pigmentation?

IPL for skin discoloration is a laser treatment that targets hyperpigmented areas without affecting the epidermis or the subcutaneous tissue. IPL energy is absorbed only by specific tissues, which is why it is similar to laser resurfacing but differs from laser energy. In this case, only the cells responsible for the hyperpigmentation are affected.

IPL is completely safe. A specialized treatment facility usually employs an experienced IPL technician to conduct the entire process. This procedure is completely safe and proven to be effective too!

IPL treatment for pigmentation can cause swollen, red, and irritated skin. Swelling and redness usually go away within a few days. The skin may remain irritated for a few days afterward. Sometimes infections, color changes in the skin, bruising, and blistering may occur.

Contact cooling or topical anesthetics can relieve a slight tingling sensation during and after IPL treatment for pigmentation at home. The skin may also turn pink and feel sore after the procedure. There may be some redness, peeling, and swelling as a result of the treatment for pigmentation.

How Does IPL Treatment Work?

Unlike a laser, the device used in this treatment emits a broad range of light frequencies. The combination of wavelengths is chosen based on our observation of the hyperpigmented areas during the consultation. The device contains a series of filters that reflect back unwanted frequencies in the light spectrum. The remaining wavelengths are pulsed out in a series of rapid flashes.

The energy penetrates right through the epidermal layer and gets absorbed by the pigmented components of the darker cells that make up the freckle, age spot, or scar. After a few pulses, these cells have absorbed quite a bit of energy, and that energy changes form to heat energy. Both the pigmented cells that makeup age spots and the capillaries in these tissues are affected. The capillaries eventually shrink, and the smallest of them may even close off entirely. The damaged cells are soon replaced by healthier growth.

It takes a series of treatments to obtain maximum results. There's no downtime after the treatments. The results are long-lasting. A lot of patients choose to work this hyperpigmentation treatment into their overall skincare regimen by scheduling follow-up treatments every year or so.

Types of IPL Treatments for Skin Pigmentation

IPL treatment for skin pigmentation is a fantastic, modern way of removing facial blemishes. As a matter of fact, IPL hyperpigmentation treatment is very versatile.

Indeed, there are several types of IPL treatments for skin pigmentation available! Listed below are the various types of IPL treatments and their numerous benefits.

IPL Photofacial Treatment

IPL photofacial treatments are used to tackle areas of the face that make you look older than you feel. It can also help treat a number of skin problems. The treatment works to minimize the appearance of sun damage and hyperpigmentation and minimize brown spots, which are prominent signs of aging. As the name implies, this treatment focuses on problem areas around a persons' face.

IPL Skin Resurfacing

It is possible to use IPL therapy to treat a variety of skin imperfections, including sun damage, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, wrinkles, freckles, age spots, broken blood vessels, and rosacea. Hands, neck, chest, and other body parts can be treated with it.

BroadBand Light (BBL)

By targeting the cells' pigment with highly focused light energy, BBL works to reduce discoloration and stimulate collagen production to improve the appearance of the skin. In addition to improving skin tone and complexion, BBL encourages the skin to repair itself. BBL can also eliminate diffuse redness, broken capillaries, and fade birthmarks, in addition to treating unwanted pigmentation. Intense pulsed light therapy is an extremely advanced method of promoting even skin tone by pushing pigmented or damaged skin layers to the surface, where they can peel or flake away.

IPL Photorejuvenation

Getting younger, brighter skin can be achieved with photorejuvenation. Your aesthetician will use broadband light pulses to target deeper layers of damage, which will rid your skin of pigmentation and discoloration while not affecting the surrounding skin. In addition to textured acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores, photorejuvenation stimulates new skin cell growth below the skin's surface. With this type of treatment, wavelengths can be used to target large areas of the face, chest, arms, or back that have discoloration concerns.

How Many IPL Treatments for Pigmentation Removal

In order to prepare the skin for treatment, your skin care specialist will clean it. She will then apply a cool gel to the area. Following that, she will utilize the IPL device to treat the skin. Dark glasses will shield your eyes from the light during the procedure. You may feel some stinging during the procedure.

Depending on the size and location of the area being treated, the process will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The most effective IPL results usually result from four to six treatments spread out four weeks apart.

IPL Skin Pigmentation Therapy Aftercare Instructions

Intensive pulsed light therapy for skin pigmentation treats uneven pigmentation, redness, rosacea, large pores, facial vessels, laxity, and large pores caused by sun damage.

Since it works on a range of wavelengths, IPL can treat different areas of the skin. That makes IPL a more versatile light therapy option than laser therapies, for example. However, to get the best results from your IPL PhotoFacial, you must follow important IPL before and aftercare instructions.

You can heal your skin effectively between treatments with these aftercare instructions for facial pigmentation using IPL.

Don't Expose Your Skin to the Sun

Avoid the Sun for four to six weeks to minimize the risk of developing dark and light spots following intensive pulsed light treatment. Always apply sunscreen while outdoors. Reapply every few hours as well. In addition, you can cover your arms and legs with clothing to protect them. Hats or umbrellas can also provide protection for your face.

Moisturize Your Skin Frequently

Keeping your treated skin moisturized is an essential IPL hyperpigmentation aftercare tip. Be sure to moisturize after your procedure. If you receive an IPL treatment from your skin care specialist, you will likely receive a moisturizer, or you will be prescribed a moisturizer while your skin heals.

Hot showers or baths should be avoided since they can remove your skin's oils. Try using a moisturizing soap. Apply moisturizer as soon as you get out of the shower. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. You can also hydrate your skin by eating watery fruits and vegetables. Many fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of water, including watermelons, apples, tomatoes, kiwis, cantaloupes, oranges, cucumbers, carrots, celery, and zucchini.

Avoid Irritating Your Skin

Do not expose your skin to anything that could irritate it for the first few days following your IPL treatment. Do not wear tight clothes. You should avoid swimming in chlorinated pools, hot tubs, saunas, and hot showers for a few days, as well as activities that cause excessive sweating. Before applying makeup to skin that has been treated, wait until it has fully healed.

For the next 48 hours, apply lotions and soaps scented with essential oils. You should avoid excessive sun exposure, bleaching creams, and chemical peels during this time.

What Should You Expect After IPL Therapy for Skin Pigmentation

By converting light into heat, IPL can penetrate deeper layers of the skin to rid stains and discolorations caused by pigments and blood cells. Healing stimulates collagen and elastin production, restoring the skin's youthful appearance. Treatment takes about 30 minutes per session.

Most people describe this as mildly uncomfortable and like a rubber band poking them in the side. An IPL photo facial will immediately make your skin look sunburned. You can return to your regular activities immediately after the procedure. Minor swelling is also likely to occur. Makeup can be applied immediately afterward. The redness will usually begin to fade within 24 hours, and sunspots and discolored areas will actually appear darker. This results from your treatment working properly.

Wrap Up!

So long as the darkened cells aren't located too deep, IPL may be the ideal treatment for skin pigmentation. Absorption and purposeful damage to these tissues is accomplished via semi-deep penetration of the light energy. This therapy can improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, age spots, rosacea, freckles, and more. Acne scars and injury scars are also treated with IPL therapy. Scarring occurs when the body rapidly replaces damaged skin, especially the lower dermal layers, with new tissue. Intense pulsed light therapy can help diminish the appearance of these scars.

However, it is crucial to follow aftercare instructions carefully to ensure the best results for your IPL treatment for skin pigmentation.