Intense pulsed light therapy [IPL]

Intense pulsed light therapy

Intense pulsed light (IPL) or flashlamp therapy is a non-invasive and non-ablative treatment that uses high intensity pulses of visible light to improve the appearance of the following skin problems:

  • Vascular lesions including spider angiomas, port wine stains, broken facial veins, rosy cheeks, rosacea and red thread veins of the legs
  • Freckles and age marks
  • Facial lines and wrinkles
  • Removal of unwanted dark hair
  • The procedure of rejuvenating aged skin is referred to as photorejuvenation and requires a series of IPL treatments.
  • IPL may also be helpful for mild to moderate acne and stretch marks.

What does the procedure involve?

IPL treatments are normally straightforward.

  • Avoid sun exposure, sun tanning, fake tan in the days and weeks before and after treatment.
  • Donot apply deodrant, makeup, lipsticks, eye make to the treated area on day of treatment
  • Skin will be cleansed prior to treatment
  • Cold gel is applied to the area being treated.
  • IPL device has a cooling system.
  • The smooth, glass surface of the IPL treatment head is applied to the skin, delivering precise pulses of light to the area being treated.
  • Treatment sessions usually last about 20 minutes.
  • A course of 4-6 sessions every 3-6 weeks may be needed to achieve desired results.
  • Most patients can return to work immediately after treatment.
  • Throughout the treatment session the patient must wear protective eyewear.
  • IPL treatments are relatively painless compared to other facial rejuvenation techniques.
  • The sensation has been likened to a light pinch or the snap of a rubber band, but some people find it distressing.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type

The Fitzpatrick scale divides skin up into 6 tones based on burn time.  The burn time relates to natural skin colour and nationality. 

The Fitzpatrick skin type of a client does not change.  Do not confuse Fitzpatrick with tan. 

Your Fitzpatrick type is something you are born with and will die with, it does not change, but the degree of tan can change.

We need to know what Fitzpatrick skin type your pulsed light system or laser can treat easily without problems, and how you can alter machine settings, or what other things you can do to treat the darker more problematic skin types.  When to say “no” is also vitally important.  You will not be able to treat everybody and need to know when to refrain.

  • TYPE I: Highly sun-sensitive, always burns, never tans.
Example: Very pale Caucasian, freckles, or Albino
  • TYPE II: Very sun-sensitive, burns easily, tans minimally.
Example: Fair-skinned Caucasian
  • TYPE III: Sun-sensitive skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown.
Example: Darker Caucasian, European mix
  • TYPE IV: Minimally sun-sensitive, rarely burns, always tans to moderate brown.
Example: Mediterranean, European, Asian, Hispanic, Native American
  • TYPE V: Sun-insensitive skin, rarely burns, tans well.
Example: Hispanic, Afro-American, Middle Eastern
  • TYPE VI: Sun-insensitive, never burns, deeply pigmented.
Example: Afro-American, African, Middle Eastern

Drugs and Laser

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Are there any side effects?

Side effects are minor and include:

  • Pain during treatment (reduced by contact cooling and if necessary, topical anaesthetic)
  • Skin turning pink and a little sore immediately after the procedure.
  • Sensation of a mild sunburn (redness, peeling, swelling) that may last a few days after treatment.
  • Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur.
  • Sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged leaving darker or paler patches of skin. White patches or scars are rarely permanent.
  • Hair loss may occur.
  • Bruising affects up to 10% of patient
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