Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Pigmentation

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Pigmentation

When it comes to skin pigmentation, many QnA clients ask for treatment options to help. One of our most effective treatments is intense pulsed light (IPL), a light treatment used to help lighten different forms of visible skin damage such as rosacea, brown spots, skin redness, sun damage, and uneven texture. IPL is great for those who have dark spots but typically works best on lighter skin tones and on true sun damage (not necessarily melasma).

In order for clients to get IPL treatment, they must be diagnosed by one of our dermatologists to see if IPL is the right for their skin pigmentation. If we determine you are not a good candidate for IPL, we have other laser treatments that we could provide that may be good for reducing skin pigment such as Laser Genesis.

Depending on the type of pigmentation, the treatment could require anywhere from two to three treatments to get good clearance of the pigment. Our dermatologists provide our clients with a treatment schedule depending on the severity of the damage. Time of year is also an important factor in determining when to conduct the treatment plan, with the time of treatment usually occurring after the summer months since your skin is not exposed to as much sunlight.

During IPL, the client may experience minor discomfort and skin sensitivity. During treatment, the sensitivity and the intensity of the pigmentation can increase before the pigment gets exfoliated away. To help protect skin from further pigmentation during treatment, it is a good idea for clients to stay out of direct sunlight when possible. We also tell our clients that the most important tip to keeping skin protected during treatment and in general is to wear sunscreen. Not only will sunscreen protect from sun damage, but it will help keep the pigmentation from getting worse.

If you're interested in IPl, give QnA Medical Spa a call and we can set you up with a consultation with one of our experts!