The first FDA approval of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy was for telangiectasias in 1995. Since then, its use has quickly spread to a variety of medical and cosmetic settings. Generally, IPL treatment is safe and effective, but complications such as hyperpigmentation may occur. When it comes to your first IPL treatment and subsequent ones, you will notice the most improvement about a week after each session. To get the best results, it is recommended to do a series of IPL treatments with an interval of about one month for each session.
After 3 to 6 months, you should see the best results. The results may vary from session to session, but the goal is constant progress. This is why we schedule your therapy appointments one month apart - because skin cells change approximately every 30 days. This gives the skin time to recover and produce collagen that naturally softens the skin, which is one of the great advantages of IPL therapy.
IPL therapy, also known as photofacial, is a way to improve skin color and texture without surgery. It can undo some of the visible damage caused by sun exposure, which is called photoaging. You may notice it mainly on your face, neck, hands, or chest. Your dermatologist will recommend you follow certain guidelines to get the best possible results from your IPL treatments.
The reason you should plan at least five treatments is because each IPL session is based on the progress of the previous session. IPL will help with surface pigment, but there is usually more in them, and IPL has a problem with the deeper vascular element. The success of treatment largely depends on the skill and experience of the person performing IPL therapy. I usually suggest buying an IPL package to see the full result - with 1 or 2 treatments you won't see much difference. You don't have to look far for excellent dermatology services, including IPL therapy and other cosmetic treatments.
