Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Sun Damage
A gentle, non-invasive treatment that targets sunspots, redness and uneven skin tone for smoother, more radiant-looking skin.
What Is IPL for Sun Damage?
Tanned skin can lose its luster as we age. Dark or red patches may become more prominent, sunspots appear on your hands and face, and crepey skin emerges in often-exposed areas.
You might now be better at putting on sunscreen and wearing a wide-brimmed hat when the sun is strong, but what about the damage that’s already occurred?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy is increasingly recommended to help erase the effects of long-term UV exposure and tanning. Using customizable wavelengths of gentle light, this non-invasive treatment simultaneously targets several issues deep below the skin’s surface. After a series of sessions and recovery, many patients report a more even skin tone and smoother, firmer texture.
Ideal for patients who want to:
- Reduce sunspots and brown spots
- Minimize redness and discoloration
- Improve uneven skin tone
- Achieve smoother, more radiant-looking skin
As you evaluate your options, discover how IPL efficiently breaks down sun damage and what to expect.
What Is Sun Damage?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation significantly affects the skin’s cells. You’ll initially experience a sunburn, an inflammatory response to cellular DNA damage. Then, years later, these cumulative effects emerge as photoaging, the breakdown of collagen and elastin from repeated sun exposure. Photoaging causes permanent damage, including:
- Fine lines and visible wrinkles
- A leathery, orange peel-like texture
- Broken capillaries and spider veins
- Dark or red spots and patches
- Melasma, causing brown or gray patches
These signs accelerate over time, and you may notice that you look older than your peers or start applying more makeup to even out your skin tone.
How Does IPL Target Sun Damage?
IPL is a non-invasive, non-ablative procedure that emits gentle pulses of light in varying frequencies. Targeted pigment and blood vessels absorb the light, producing a reaction that breaks down damaged cells. The heat generated by the IPL device seals off enlarged, visible veins.
How Does Skin Improve Following IPL Treatment?
Following your sessions, improvement often occurs in stages:
- Initial treatments help even blotchy, patchy, and reddened skin.
- Cellular turnover causes dark spots to flake off, revealing more youthful and radiant skin underneath.
- Visible blood vessels absorb the light, heat up, and are gradually absorbed by the body.
- Multiple treatments and deeper wavelengths help minimize melasma.
- Wrinkles and rough texture in the targeted areas are smoothed.
Some patients report a 70 percent reduction in brown spots and redness after a series of IPL treatments.
What Can You Expect from IPL for Sun Damage?
During your initial visit, a medical professional will assess all signs of sun damage to determine the best course of treatment. Most patients undergo two to four sessions, each scheduled two to four weeks apart to allow the skin time to recover and build collagen.
What Happens During an IPL Session?
IPL can be performed where your body has experienced sun damage, including your face, hands, arms, and chest, with the light waves calibrated based on the specific concern. During your sessions:
- We’ll apply gel to the target area and provide goggles for eye protection.
- The IPL device goes over each area section by section. Many patients say the emitted light feels like a rubber band gently snapping against their skin.
- Hair follicles draw in more of the light’s energy. During your treatment, you may notice a stronger reaction in areas with thicker hair.
The typical IPL treatment for sun damage lasts 15 to 30 minutes.
What Can You Expect Immediately After IPL Treatment?
You may notice a sunburn-like sensation accompanied by some redness and light bruising. With adequate sun protection, it’s safe to resume your daily activities following your appointment, and the swelling and irritation will subside over the next four to six hours. Additionally:
- Dark spots may temporarily appear darker before they flake and peel off over the next couple of weeks.
- Red areas and veins may appear more intense before the initial swelling calms down.
- As your skin heals, remember to moisturize regularly, wash with a gentle cleanser, and apply SPF 30+ sunscreen.
- Avoid wearing makeup if your skin feels irritated, as well as depilatories and other hair removal treatments.
When Can You Expect to See IPL Results?
Most patients see results after their first session, but continue with 2-4 sessions to achieve an optimal result. All treatment protocols are tailored to each patient’s specific concerns.
Ready to reverse the effects of sun damage?
Schedule a consultation to learn more about IPL therapy.