Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?

Intense pulsed light (IPL), commonly abbreviated as IPL, is a technology used by medical practitioners to perform various skin treatments including hair removal and photo rejuvenation. The technology utilizes a broad spectrum light source, with a general spectral range of 515 to 1200 nm. Various cutoff filters are commonly used to filter out lower frequencies and narrow this spectrum to target specific structures and chromophores. Because of the broad spectrum of the IPL light source they are unique, as opposed to lasers, in the ability to filter the light spectrum to target various chromophores in the skin.

How intense pulsed light (IPL) works?

In intense pulsed light (IPL) the polychromatic light can reach multiple chromophores in human skin: mainly hemoglobin, water, and melanin. This results in selective photothermolysis of the target, which can be blood vessels, pigmented cells, or hair follicles.

What are the indications?

IPL indications –

  • Hair Removal.
  • Photo facial.
  • Sun damaged induced dyspigmentation and vascular changes.
  • Acne Rosacea.
  • Acne vulgaris.
  • Broken Capillaries or Telangiectases.
  • Vascular Lesions (small blood vessels).
  • Pigmented Lesions (freckles, liver spots, birth marks).
  • Skin Rejuvenation.
  • Treatment of skin pigmentation.
  • Treatment of thread veins.
  • Skin Tightening.
  • Scar Revision.

What are the contraindications of IPL?

Intense pulsed light (IPL) contraindications –

  • Active infection on treatment site.
  • Very sensitive skin.
  • Keloidal tendency.

What are the advantages of this procedure?

  • Safe.
  • Easy
  • Very effective.
  • It does not take much time to do the procedure.
  • Dermatologist can do this procedure in OPD basis

What are the disadvantages of this procedure?

  • To find desire results, you have to do many sittings.

How much time required to do the Intense pulsed light (IPL) procedure?

Normally 25 to 30 minutes required to do procedure, but depends upon area also where we want to do procedure.

How much gap require between two IPL procedures?

On an average 4 to 6 weeks gap requires between two procedure.

How many sittings required?

Not fixed, depends upon size and number of lesions and indication also.

Do I require touch up of Intense pulsed light (IPL) procedure?

For some indications yes and for some indications no.

Is it painful procedure?

Mild pain or pricking sensation during IPL procedure.

Is the result permanent?

For some indications yes and for some indications no.

Which are the areas we can treat with Intense pulsed light (IPL) procedure?

We can do this procedure mainly on face but any part of the body.

What care require before and after procedure?

We will apply an after laser cream and sunblock to your face or treatment area before you go home. You can apply makeup and going back to work if you wish.

Doctor will tell you what to do and what not to do. Follow doctor’s instructions to see best results.

How much will be recovery time?

Almost no down time or few hours.

What are the side effects?

After the treatment, you may have a bit redness and some swelling similar to a mosquito bite.

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