Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

An IPL, or as it’s also called, a Photo Facial is a proven way to transform your skin to look younger, leaving you with a smoother, more beautiful, clear complexion. The sun and even environmental light discolors our skin so that year after year we show signs of aging on our face, hands, chest and neck. A sure way to revitalize our skin is by zapping away those spots, capillaries and discoloration with First State MedSpa’s new Spectrum Laser with Photo Facial or IPL light therapy. You will also be surprised to notice those fine lines and wrinkles disappear. Our IPL is very popular on the face, neck, decollate and even the hands!

What is IPL?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a cosmetic treatment that uses light energy to improve the texture and tone of your skin. It is especially effective in treating photoaging, which is visible damage caused by sun exposure over time.

Overall, IPL can be used to treat:

• Skin redness
• Sun damage
• Acne
• Capillaries or small blood vessels
• Uneven skin tone and texture

The IPL Treatment

Before you begin the IPL treatment, your Certified Laser Aesthetician will review your medical history and current medications with you and conduct a test spot on your skin to insure that you are good candidate for IPL. Your skin will be thoroughly cleansed and a gel will be applied to your skin. You will be asked to wear special glasses to protect your eyes from the light. Your technician will then press a handheld IPL device to your skin, emitting light pulses. These pulses are gentle, but to some people it may feel like a light snap of a rubber band. The IPL hand piece is equipped with a cooling tip, so that treatment is usually very comfortable. Treatment usually lasts 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the targeted area.

Who is a Candidate?

Healthy individuals who would like to improve their skin texture and tone may be good candidates for this treatment. IPL is most effective on pale or light brown skin tones. You should not undergo this treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain active skin conditions, use retinoid cream or Accutane, or are sensitive to light. To learn more about this treatment and if it’s right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment.

Very Little Downtime

Following your IPL treatment, your skin may feel as if it has a mild sunburn for about 1-2 hours. Ice packs can help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Your skin may be red or bruised for a couple of days and treated brown spots may get darker before they flake off. While your skin heals, be sure to use a mild moisturizing serum or cream daily, such as Vita Soothe and apply chemical-free sunscreen with SPF 40 or higher to your skin daily.

Contact Us

For more information about IPL treatments and how they can benefit you, contact First State MedSpa in Wilmington, DE today. We are dedicated to providing personalized treatments to help make your unique skincare goals a reality.

Are IPL results permanent?

This long lasting treatment definitely makes the skin look better, but does not stop aging.

Can I pluck after IPL?

It is advised to wait two weeks after an IPL treatment to wax or tweeze.

Can IPL cause hyperpigmentation?

In some cases of using IPL to treat melasma, it can make matters worse and cause hyperpigmentation, which is harder to treat.

Can IPL damage eyes?

Since the Iris is pigmented, IPL wavelengths can cause damage. We provide protective goggles to wear during your treatment.

Can IPL remove flat moles?

IPL can remove flat moles, like freckles and age spots, but is not recommended for raised moles as the laser does not reach deep enough.

Can IPL remove pigmentation?

Yes, IPL removes pigmentation by converting pigment cells into heat, killing off the cell and removing the pigmentation!

Can IPL tighten skin?

IPL is a rejuvenation therapy and can improve laxity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Can you do IPL on eyelids?

Yes! It can reduce eyelid redness and promote healthy gland function.

Does IPL cause swelling?

You may experience temporary swelling and redness for up to a week post treatment.