As summer winds down, you may notice that all that fun in the sun left behind more than great memories. Sun spots, brown spots, uneven skin tone, and other signs of sun damage can become more noticeable after months of increased sun exposure.
While a summer tan may fade, some pigmentation can stick around much longer. That’s one reason fall is such a popular time to consider an IPL treatment for sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
If you’re wondering what IPL is, how it works, and whether it may be right for your skin, here’s everything you need to know about this popular skin rejuvenation treatment.
What Is IPL?
Explained by dermani MEDSPA®’s medical director, Dr. Littlefield, “IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target specific pigment and visible blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. Because pigmentation can exist at different depths, a series of treatments may be recommended to progressively improve the appearance of sun damage, discoloration, and redness.” – Dr. Littlefield, Medical Director, dermani MEDSPA®
During an IPL treatment, light energy is absorbed by targeted pigment or blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. This energy converts to heat, helping break down unwanted pigmentation so that its appearance can gradually diminish as the skin goes through its natural renewal process.
IPL treatments are commonly used to help improve the appearance of:
- Sun spots and sun damage
- Brown spots and uneven pigmentation
- Age spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Visible small blood vessels
- Facial redness
- Redness associated with rosacea
- Uneven skin tone
Because IPL can address multiple types of discoloration during the same treatment, it is a popular option for people looking to achieve a brighter, clearer, and more even-looking complexion.
Does IPL Help With Sun Spots and Brown Spots?
IPL can be an effective treatment for the appearance of certain types of sun spots and brown pigmentation.
Pigmentation closer to the skin’s surface may respond more quickly, while deeper or more stubborn areas of discoloration may require additional treatments. While some clients begin noticing changes after their first IPL session, a series of IPL treatments may be recommended to achieve the best results.
Your provider can evaluate your skin, discuss your concerns, and recommend a treatment plan based on your individual skin type and goals.
IPL vs. Laser Treatments: What’s the Difference?
Although IPL and laser skin treatments both use light-based technology, IPL is not technically a laser.
Laser treatments typically use a concentrated wavelength of light designed to target a particular concern. IPL, on the other hand, uses a broader spectrum of light that can be adjusted using different settings and filters depending on the treatment goal.
This allows IPL to treat larger areas of the skin and address several types of visible pigmentation and redness.
Lasers can also be used for a wide variety of aesthetic treatments, including laser hair removal and certain skin resurfacing procedures. The technology, treatment depth, downtime, and intended results can vary significantly depending on the type of laser being used.
Why Fall Is a Popular Time for IPL Treatments
Fall can be an ideal time to start addressing the visible effects of summer sun exposure.
IPL treatments generally require you to avoid tanning and excessive sun exposure before and after your appointment. As days become shorter and many people spend less time outdoors, following these recommendations can become easier.
Starting an IPL treatment series in the fall can also give you time to work toward a clearer, more even-looking complexion throughout the cooler months.
That doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about sun protection once summer ends. Daily SPF is important year-round, especially when receiving treatments designed to address pigmentation and sun damage.
How to Prepare for an IPL Treatment
Proper preparation can help protect your skin and ensure you are an appropriate candidate for IPL.
Before your appointment, your dermani MEDSPA® provider will give you specific pre-treatment instructions based on your skin and medical history. This may include avoiding certain skincare products, medications, tanning, and excessive sun exposure for a designated period before treatment.
For example, you may be advised to temporarily discontinue products containing ingredients such as retinol and avoid treating skin that is currently sunburned or tanned.
Always discuss medications, antibiotics, supplements, skincare products, and recent sun exposure with your provider before treatment rather than discontinuing a prescribed medication without guidance from the appropriate healthcare professional.
What to Expect After IPL
Immediately following an IPL photofacial, the treated area may appear pink or slightly swollen. Some people experience a mild sensation similar to a sunburn for a short period after treatment.
Your provider will give you personalized IPL aftercare instructions, which may include recommendations such as:
- Avoiding unnecessary direct sun exposure
- Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day
- Avoiding harsh scrubs and exfoliating products while the skin recovers
- Using gentle skincare products
- Avoiding excessive heat when recommended by your provider
Pigmented areas may temporarily appear darker following IPL before gradually fading or flaking away. It’s important to allow this process to happen naturally rather than picking or aggressively exfoliating the skin.
Other Treatments for Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation
IPL isn’t the only option for improving the appearance of sun damage, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Depending on your skin and the type of pigmentation you’re experiencing, your provider may recommend incorporating other skin rejuvenation treatments into your routine.
Chemical Peels
Medical-grade chemical peels exfoliate the skin and encourage cellular turnover, helping improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation, dullness, texture, and certain signs of sun damage.
Chemical peels can be performed at different strengths and may be incorporated into a customized skincare plan based on your individual needs.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion provides physical exfoliation to remove dull surface skin cells and improve overall skin texture and tone. It may also help reduce the appearance of certain types of superficial discoloration.
Combining or alternating professional skincare treatments can allow your provider to address multiple concerns while developing a more comprehensive approach to skin rejuvenation.
Create a Personalized Skin Rejuvenation Plan at dermani MEDSPA®
When it comes to treating sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone, there isn’t necessarily one treatment that’s right for everyone.
That’s why dermani MEDSPA® offers multiple skin rejuvenation options, including IPL, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other professional skincare treatments.
Through our Skin Rejuvenation Membership, you can work with your dermani MEDSPA® provider to incorporate eligible treatments into a personalized monthly skincare routine. Alternating treatments based on your skin’s changing needs can help target multiple concerns while supporting your long-term skincare goals.
Find IPL Treatments Near You at dermani MEDSPA®
Ready to address those lingering reminders of summer?
At dermani MEDSPA®, our trained providers can evaluate your skin, discuss concerns such as sun spots, brown spots, redness, and hyperpigmentation, and help determine whether IPL or another skin rejuvenation treatment is right for you.
Find your nearest dermani MEDSPA® location and book a free consultation today to start creating a customized skincare plan for clearer, brighter, more even-looking skin.