IPL laser treatments are a fast and painless technique to improve the appearance of your skin’s tone. These procedures only require a single office visit and have noticeable benefits that continue to improve for the following months. IPL lasers, you ask? What makes them tick? Should you even consider trying them?
When you get an IPL treatment, concentrated beams of light are directed at your skin’s trouble spots. It goes deep into the skin and dissolves the pigmented cells there. New, healthy skin cells gradually replace old, damaged ones, lightening and evening out your skin tone.
Many ladies struggle with the effects of an ipl laser for uneven skin tone. They are typically located on the face, particularly the cheeks, forehead, and chin. Using artificial methods, such as creams and serums, to achieve natural effects is doomed to failure. Read on to learn more on ipl laser side effects and ipl treatment for pigmentation at home.
Ipl Laser For Uneven Skin Tone
If you want healthy-looking, even-toned skin or you need to remove unwanted hair, you might consider intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment to achieve that smooth, even complexion. IPL can effectively treat a wide range of skin issues, and Dr. Melanie Adams can help you decide whether IPL therapy will meet your specific needs.
Here are just three reasons, of many, to visit Dr. Adams’ Columbia, Maryland practice for IPL treatment to address your skin issues and achieve your aesthetic goals.
1. IPL can improve the appearance of sun damage and discoloration
IPL can treat many issues, but one of its main uses is addressing the effects of sun damage, including wrinkles, coarse skin, sun spots, and increased pore size. Studies have shown that IPL has positive effects on 90% of sun damage cases, and at least 80% of participants were satisfied with the overall results of their treatment.
However, IPL therapy is not only for sun damage. If you were born with skin discolorations or have freckles, you can also reduce this pigmentation and even out your complexion with IPL. Issues like visible, thread-like blood vessels and background coloring associated with rosacea can also be minimized with IPL treatment.
Finally, IPL can also effectively remove unwanted hair and prevent it from growing back. If you have any of these issues, IPL may be the ideal treatment for you.
2. IPL works best if your problem areas have a significant color difference from your natural skin tone
IPL works by aiming a short pulse of light, over multiple wavelengths, at a specific area of your skin. The energy from the light targets melanin, reducing dark color spots and preventing dark hair from growing back. It works best when your skin tone is lighter than the discoloration you want to improve.
People with darker skin tones, which have a naturally higher level of melanin throughout their skin, are not usually good candidates for IPL. Similarly, when it comes to hair removal, people with fair skin and fair hair, may not see the results that someone with fair skin and dark, coarse hair would see.
3. IPL can treat large areas quickly
IPL treatment is relatively quick compared to many other cosmetic procedures. One of its major benefits over laser therapy is that it can treat large areas of skin quickly, because it uses a less-focused wavelength of light than laser treatments.
Most sessions with Dr. Adams take around 20 minutes, which is why many patients choose to come in for treatment on their lunch break. Plus, you can get right back to your normal activities without any downtime. While some people may experience a slightly red coloration on the treatment area, this fades on its own within a few days and should not cause any discomfort.
IPL therapy typically requires multiple treatments to achieve optimal results. Most people need 4-6 sessions spaced about 3-4 weeks apart. During an initial consultation, Dr. Adams will evaluate your skin, discuss your aesthetic goals, and help you develop a comprehensive treatment strategy to address all or your skin and cosmetic concerns.
If you have sun spots, freckles, skin discoloration, or other signs of sun damage, or you’d like to finally get rid of that unwanted hair, call Dr. Adams or book an appointment online to find out if IPL treatment is the best option for you.
Ipl Treatment For Pigmentation At Home
“IPL uses light energy at different specific wavelengths to treat many skin concerns,” explains Dr. Robert Morrell, M.D., founder and director of Medical Rejuvenation Centre(opens in new tab) and Di Morelli Skin Care(opens in new tab).
“It’s used for many therapeutic purposes due to the broad spectrum of wavelengths in IPL treatments,” he says. More specifically, IPL can be used to treat pigmentation, rosacea, veins, acne and hair removal, too.
HOW DOES IPL HELP REDUCE DARK SPOTS?
As Dr. Morrell explains, “IPL works to fade dark spots by selectively heating up the brown color with a band of light specific for brown pigment. Typically, these spots will become coffee-like granules that will shed off on the surface of the skin in five to seven days.”
When the light penetrates your skin, the targeted heat zaps only the spots with excess melanin, and leaves the rest alone. It works to eliminate the pigmentation that you see toward the surface of your skin so that you can naturally slough off or exfoliate those cells.
Unfortunately, IPL doesn’t permanently stop or remove melanocytes from producing melanin, so your dark spots will likely return in time. However, a lot of women see significant reductions in visible dark spots after professional treatments.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING AN IPL LASER AT HOME?
So if getting IPL done in a professional setting works well on dark spots, can we try at-home IPL for dark spots? Using this kind of advanced technology at home sounds like risky business—and, according to the experts we consulted, it is.
“In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in home light devices that have had very little testing,” says plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Simone Matousek(opens in new tab). “Home IPL devices are unregulated and should not be used for management of pigmentation, or any skin problems,” she advises.
Both doctors noted that these DIY devices aren’t really strong enough to produce significant results. In fact, they can actually cause “darkening of pigmentation, as the intensity of home IPL units is too weak,” says Dr. Morrell. “And, if the intensity is stronger, there is a possibility of burns.”
So, zapping your skin with an at-home IPL device might actually worsen your unwanted dark spots, by making them even darker.
“Even in the hands of trained medical practitioners, an IPL device can cause side effects,” adds Dr. Matousek. Clinical trials(opens in new tab) have found that these can include redness, rashes, blistering, swelling, and hypopigmentation—patches of skin lightening—in addition to dark spots. If powerful IPL technology is misused, it can even lead to eye injuries and scarring.
AT-HOME IPL VS PROFESSIONAL IPL
If you’re comparing at-home IPL devices against professional-grade equipment, the latter will always be safer and more sophisticated.
“The more high-end IPL devices that are operated in medical practices are more tunable, have more precise targeting of skin problems, and are safer in darker skin types. Medical-grade broadband light is one such device, and is more effective and has inbuilt cooling to make it safe,” explains Dr. Matousek.
She continued, “At-home devices will likely be too weak to have any real impact, as any manufacturer would be worried about the potential of being sued. The machines that will actually have a real impact on skin problems are way more powerful than is safe for any consumer to use.”
Moreover, despite how easy at-home IPL for dark spots might sound, managing pigmentation concerns isn’t as simple as zapping your skin a few times. According to Dr. Matousek, “It requires correct topical medication before and after such treatments; some of these can only be prescribed by a doctor.”
So, if an at-home IPL product promises to clear up dark spots in no time—without any medical oversight, topical treatment, or training—it’s probably too good to be true.
HOW TO USE IPL TO TREAT DARK SPOTS
If you want to proceed with an IPL treatment for dark spots, “You should always go see a professional; do not try it at home,” advises Dr. Morrell.
The price tag for professional treatment might be higher, but experts advise against trying a DIY device as a way to cut costs on skincare.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is typically used for hair removal, but it can also be an effective way to reduce skin pigmentation issues. But how does it work and is at-home IPL for dark spots—i.e. the DIY option—a safe solution?
Whether you call them age spots, sun spots or just pesky annoyances, those dark spots on your complexion can be tough to get rid of. They’re caused by pigment-making cells called melanocytes that live under the surface of your skin. As your skin matures, or gets aggravated by sun exposure, those melanocytes get to work, producing melanin that leaves you with the appearance of dark spots.
So how exactly do you get rid of them? While you might have considered using at-home laser hair removal for, you know, actual hair removal—it’s also effective when it comes to erasing dark spots too.
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We spoke with several skincare experts to learn more about how (and how well) intense pulsed light treatments help clear up pigmentation issues—and whether it’s something you should try at home.
WHAT IS AN IPL TREATMENT?
How does IPL therapy work, then?
“IPL uses light energy at different specific wavelengths to treat many skin concerns,” explains Dr. Robert Morrell, M.D., founder and director of Medical Rejuvenation Centre(opens in new tab) and Di Morelli Skin Care(opens in new tab).
“It’s used for many therapeutic purposes due to the broad spectrum of wavelengths in IPL treatments,” he says. More specifically, IPL can be used to treat pigmentation, rosacea, veins, acne and hair removal, too.
HOW DOES IPL HELP REDUCE DARK SPOTS?
As Dr. Morrell explains, “IPL works to fade dark spots by selectively heating up the brown color with a band of light specific for brown pigment. Typically, these spots will become coffee-like granules that will shed off on the surface of the skin in five to seven days.”
When the light penetrates your skin, the targeted heat zaps only the spots with excess melanin, and leaves the rest alone. It works to eliminate the pigmentation that you see toward the surface of your skin so that you can naturally slough off or exfoliate those cells.
Unfortunately, IPL doesn’t permanently stop or remove melanocytes from producing melanin, so your dark spots will likely return in time. However, a lot of women see significant reductions in visible dark spots after professional treatments.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING AN IPL LASER AT HOME?
So if getting IPL done in a professional setting works well on dark spots, can we try at-home IPL for dark spots? Using this kind of advanced technology at home sounds like risky business—and, according to the experts we consulted, it is.
“In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in home light devices that have had very little testing,” says plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Simone Matousek(opens in new tab). “Home IPL devices are unregulated and should not be used for management of pigmentation, or any skin problems,” she advises.
Both doctors noted that these DIY devices aren’t really strong enough to produce significant results. In fact, they can actually cause “darkening of pigmentation, as the intensity of home IPL units is too weak,” says Dr. Morrell. “And, if the intensity is stronger, there is a possibility of burns.”
So, zapping your skin with an at-home IPL device might actually worsen your unwanted dark spots, by making them even darker.
“Even in the hands of trained medical practitioners, an IPL device can cause side effects,” adds Dr. Matousek. Clinical trials(opens in new tab) have found that these can include redness, rashes, blistering, swelling, and hypopigmentation—patches of skin lightening—in addition to dark spots. If powerful IPL technology is misused, it can even lead to eye injuries and scarring.
AT-HOME IPL VS PROFESSIONAL IPL
If you’re comparing at-home IPL devices against professional-grade equipment, the latter will always be safer and more sophisticated.
“The more high-end IPL devices that are operated in medical practices are more tunable, have more precise targeting of skin problems, and are safer in darker skin types. Medical-grade broadband light is one such device, and is more effective and has inbuilt cooling to make it safe,” explains Dr. Matousek.
She continued, “At-home devices will likely be too weak to have any real impact, as any manufacturer would be worried about the potential of being sued. The machines that will actually have a real impact on skin problems are way more powerful than is safe for any consumer to use.”
Moreover, despite how easy at-home IPL for dark spots might sound, managing pigmentation concerns isn’t as simple as zapping your skin a few times. According to Dr. Matousek, “It requires correct topical medication before and after such treatments; some of these can only be prescribed by a doctor.”
So, if an at-home IPL product promises to clear up dark spots in no time—without any medical oversight, topical treatment, or training—it’s probably too good to be true.
HOW TO USE IPL TO TREAT DARK SPOTS
If you want to proceed with an IPL treatment for dark spots, “You should always go see a professional; do not try it at home,” advises Dr. Morrell.
The price tag for professional treatment might be higher, but experts advise against trying a DIY device as a way to cut costs on skincare.
As Dr. Matousek suggests, “Going to a trained plastic surgeon or dermatologist, having a proper skin assessment and treatment plan, and getting effective, evidence-based therapies is a far better use of time and money than buying a home device. There’s a reason the best lasers and light devices cost hundreds and thousands of dollars; they require precise engineering and regular checkups and tuning to keep your skin safe.”
CAN I STILL USE AN AT-HOME IPL FOR HAIR REMOVAL?
So, what if you’re already using an at-home IPL device for hair removal? Is that still safe?
These at-home devices aren’t suitable for treating skin pigmentation concerns, but they can be useful when it comes to hair removal.
Gia Jurosky, director of influencer marketing and brand strategy at RoseSkinCo(opens in new tab), a brand that makes an at-home IPL handset, notes that they are not intended as a treatment for your complexion. “While IPL can be used to treat acne scars, melasma, and other concerns, we recommend the devices for long-term hair removal,” she says. “Someone looking for an IPL skin treatment should consult a physician beforehand.”
Ipl Laser Side Effects
Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper/hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection
IPL hair removal is one common option, which offers a more lasting result than shaving or even waxing. (In fact, it was one of the top five most popular minimally-invasive procedures in 2020, according to the most recent Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS].) While you may associate the treatment with med spas, numerous at-home IPL devices have hit the market, promising an alternative for people who’d rather take matters into their own hands. If you’re wondering whether the ability to use the tech from your home is too good to be true, here’s the full scoop.
As with all medical and cosmetic procedures, with IPL hair removal there is some risk of side effects and complications. These will vary with the individual, and often depend on your skin type and colour. Some side effects, such as slight redness and swelling, can be expected and will usually subside within a day or two – however, there is a risk of other complications such as blistering and pigment change which may be slightly more serious.
Usual Side Effects of IPL Hair Removal
There are some side effects that are common and can be expected with IPL hair removal. These include slight redness of the skin, slight swelling, and a feeling of soreness. Your skin may feel a little like it is sunburnt. However, these kinds of side effects should only last a day or two. There is also a chance that there may be some slight pigment change in the area of skin where you had the procedure. This can either make your skin slightly lighter or darker in patches. Darker ‘patches’ will be more like dots of sun-tanned skin which have tanned in spots where the light acted. If your skin goes lighter, however, it will be in slightly larger, but nevertheless very small, patches, where your skin’s pigment has absorbed too much light. Darker skin tones are more prone to this than light ones. If your skin’s pigment changes, either darker or lighter, this should fade in time, but may take a few months.
Serious Complications of IPL Hair Removal
Thankfully there are not many major serious complications or risks with IPL, as it has been developed to be as safe as possible. Most side effects, such as redness or pigment change, will subside in time. However, there is a risk of the skin overheating from the light, which can cause blistering or bad scarring, and since your skin will be vulnerable and tender there is a risk of infection. If you think you see any signs of these, contact your practitioner immediately – or, failing that, your GP. In the case of infection, you may be given a stronger antiseptic cream. Bear in mind that darker skin tones are more at risk to blistering and scarring than light ones, as they contain more pigment which may absorb the light.
How to Avoid Complications with IPL Hair Removal
There are a number of steps you can take to avoid side effects and complications after IPL hair removal. At your first consultation with your practitioner, he or she should take measures to make sure you are not at serious risk of complications, such as by performing a test patch on a small area of your skin. If you are suitable for IPL, the risk of complications should be quite low. To ensure there are no serious side effects, your practitioner may use some form of cooling method, such as a cooling gel, a cooling spray integrated into the IPL machine, or a machine with a chilled tip. This will minimise the risk of your skin overheating as a result of the strong light. You will also most likely be given an antiseptic cream, and you are advised to keep the treated area out of the sun for a while. Tanning can increase the risk of complication, so be careful not to tan too soon before or after your IPL session. To soothe skin after treatment, you can use lotions, aloe vera, sunblock, or cold compresses, which will cool the area and reduce swelling.
What are at-home IPL devices?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, the form of scattered light that these handheld tools give off. “These are devices that emit a wide spectrum of light to treat the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The technology is similar to but different from laser hair removal. “Technically [IPL devices] are not lasers since lasers emit only a single wavelength of light,” while IPL emits multiple wavelengths, explains Dr. Zeichner. (Related: Everything You Need to Know About Trying Laser Hair Removal at Home)
IPL can be used to treat brown spots or broken capillaries and redness in addition to its application in reducing hair production. “Different filters are used to limit the light that is delivered by the device to offer a customized treatment that addresses your particular need,” says Dr. Zeichner.
“[IPL] uses a big [dose] of light to capture certain targets in the skin,” says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology. “In terms of hair removal, the target would be melanin.” (Reminder: Melanin is a natural pigment in your skin and hair.) When the goal is hair removal, IPL devices are filtered to emit light at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nanometers, which can selectively heat and destroy melanin without heating the surrounding skin, she explains. When the light heats the melanin in a hair follicle, that causes the strand of hair to fall out and kills the hair follicle, thereby decreasing regrowth. (Although it takes multiple sessions to achieve full results, which only ever amounts to a reduction of hair growthrather than permanently eliminating new growth, according to Dr. Shirazi.)
Home IPL devices — e.g. Kenzzi, SmoothSkin, and Braun IPL devices — use the same technology at lower energies compared to what the pros use, according to Dr. Zeichner. Of course, that comes with a tradeoff. “The IPL devices in the office are obviously going to be a lot more powerful and hopefully are being used by trained professionals, whereas the IPL devices at home are going to be much weaker in terms of the amount of energy that they’re able to deliver so the results aren’t going to be as good,” says Dr. Shirazi. That said, a small study on at-home IPL devices published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reported a 78 percent reduction in amount of hair at the one-month mark and a 72 percent reduction after three months, with participants receiving biweekly treatments with an at-home device over the course of six weeks.
What are the perks of using at-home IPL devices?
You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi. Investing in an at-home IPL device can also save you money compared to in-office treatments. Home IPL devices typically cost around $150 to several hundred dollars, while the average cost of a single session of professional IPL cost roughly $412 in 2020, according to the ASPS report. Most people need six to 12 IPL treatments to achieve full results, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Then there’s the convenience factor. Switching to using an IPL at home will save you time if you normally shave. To give you an idea, Braun recommends using its Silk Expert Pro 5 once a week for four to 12 weeks, then every one to two months for maintenance. Taking matters into your own hands also eliminates any awkwardness you might feel around having a stranger treat your bikini area while you attempt to make small talk. (Related: How to Shave Your Bikini Area Without Causing Irritation)
What are the downsides of trying IPL at home?
IPL can be moderately painful. It also comes with potential side effects, which is one reason why Corey L. Hartman, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, finds the idea of putting the technology in the hands of non-professionals unsettling. When used improperly, IPL can cause “blistering, redness, scarring, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, pain, oozing, or crusting,” says Dr. Hartman. “IPL devices are not casual.”
“I’ve seen some terrible burns and terrible scarring from IPL done in the office and done at home,” echoes Dr. Shirazi. “It’s tricky because you’re playing around with energy and heat and if the skin absorbs all of that, you can certainly get a burn.”
Additionally, both IPL and laser devices have the potential to do the exact opposite of what you want. “If you use conservative settings or low energy settings of light to try to remove hair,” you can actually stimulate growth,says Dr. Shirazi. “You could end up with a condition called paradoxical hair stimulation from laser treatments. The low energy is not enough to chill the hair follicle, but it’s enough to stimulate the hair follicle to grow.” That’s why you may have heard of low-level laser-emitting caps designed to promote hair growth.
Another major downside? IPL isn’t well-suited to dark skin tones or light-colored hair. “IPL is high-risk for people with dark skin tones,” who naturally have more melanin, according to Dr. Shirazi. “What happens, as the light passes through it’s going to capture the melanin on the surface of the skin. The more melanin there is on the surface of the skin the more likely it is to absorb all the energy, and then you can end up with a burn.” IPL device brands often provide charts on their websites indicating which skin tones should avoid using their products altogether.
All in all, is at-home IPL worth trying?
The experts interviewed for this story were divided on whether at-home IPL is worthwhile or even okay to try. If you buy an at-home IPL device, you can assume that it uses lower energy than professional devices, making it safe to use at home, says Dr. Zeichner. “The biggest potential risk associated with using IPL devices is the development of hyperpigmentation,” he says. “This risk is very low with at-home devices because of the safety measures put in place that allow them to be used without professional supervision.”
Not everyone gives at-home IPL devices a thumbs up. Any IPL device will be either be able to “really do some harm” or they’ll be ineffective, and that there’s no in-between, says Dr. Hartman. “I don’t understand at-home IPL devices,” he says. “I’m scared of them. I do not recommend.”