Are you dedicated to your at-home skincare routine, but concerned your favorite products are not doing enough to protect your skin from environmental and lifestyle factors? Have you considered an aesthetic treatment to reduce the appearance of unwanted imperfections, but a surgical or invasive procedure does not feel like the best fit for you and your lifestyle? Consider IPL treatments! These skin rejuvenation treatments offer diverse benefits to refresh the appearance of your skin and minimize pesky blemishes. Explore the possibilities of these powerful treatments during a consultation with our team at Priority You MD in Clearwater, FL!
What Is IPL?
IPL – or intense pulsed light – are non-surgical, non-invasive treatments that use the power of light for photorejuvenation. These skin rejuvenation treatments can be performed to minimize a variety of concerns, such as:
- Acne scars
- Age spots
- Broken capillaries or blood vessels
- Brown spots
- Dull skin tone or texture
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines
- Hyperpigmentation
- Lesions (pigmented or vascular)
- Sun damage
- Uneven skin tone or texture
While IPL treatments are most commonly performed on the face, they may be performed on other areas, such as the arms, chest, and neck.
How Does IPL Work?
Light Energy and Melanin Absorption
IPL uses broad-spectrum light that targets pigmented areas in the skin. When this light is absorbed by melanin, it heats and breaks apart the pigment without harming the surrounding tissue. These tiny pigment fragments gradually rise to the surface and flake off or are absorbed and cleared by your lymphatic system. This mechanism helps reduce the appearance of sunspots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation, especially in fair to medium skin tones. Because IPL light is non-ablative and selective in wavelength, it can penetrate the skin at various depths to treat different types of pigmentation.
Vascular Lesion Reduction
IPL can also treat visible blood vessels, including broken capillaries, telangiectasia, and rosacea-related redness. The light energy targets hemoglobin within the vessel, generating heat that damages the vessel walls. This process causes the vessel to collapse and be absorbed by the body. The light energy is carefully calibrated to avoid damaging the surrounding skin, which makes it possible to treat delicate areas such as the nose, cheeks, and chin. IPL is especially useful for diffuse redness because it can cover broader areas than spot-specific lasers.
Collagen Stimulation
The thermal energy delivered by IPL not only targets pigmentation and vascular concerns but also reaches into the dermal layers, where it can trigger fibroblast activity. This activity increases collagen and elastin production, which are key structural proteins that give the skin firmness and elasticity. Over a series of treatments, this stimulation can improve fine lines, skin laxity, and texture irregularities. Patients often notice subtle tightening and smoother skin, even if pigmentation was the initial concern.
The Benefits of IPL Treatments
Gradual But Visible Improvement
Among the benefits of IPL therapy is its ability to deliver cumulative improvements that continue to develop for weeks after your last session. Each session of IPL targets a deeper layer of lingering pigment that was not affected in previous treatments.
Improves Skin With Minimal Downtime
After an IPL session, mild redness or darkening of treated spots may occur, but this is part of the healing and photorejuvenation process. You can return to your normal routines immediately, and you can fit treatments into your regular schedule.
Treats Multiple Concerns at Once
IPL can address pigmentation, vascular lesions, and skin texture in the same session. The light energy is absorbed by different chromophores, allowing it to treat sun damage, broken capillaries, and blotchy skin simultaneously.
What Is the Difference Between IPL, BBL, and Laser Treatments?
IPL uses broad-spectrum light to treat pigmentation, redness, and texture over larger areas with minimal downtime. BroadBand Light (BBL) is a more advanced form of IPL that offers greater control and customization of light energy. Both are non-ablative and ideal for general skin rejuvenation. Laser treatments use a single, focused wavelength to target specific skin components with higher precision, making them better suited for deeper concerns like scars or pronounced texture issues, though they often involve more downtime.
What Could I Expect from a Treatment?
IPL treatments – also called photofacials – are performed in the comfort of our Florida office. Our treatments are performed with the Fluorescent Pulsed Light system to treat skin on a deeper level. As tissues are gently heated, collagen growth is stimulated for the creation of new tissues. There is little to no pain associated with treatment, but you may experience a mild warmth.
IPL photofacials are typically short treatments, and there is not set downtime associated with photorejuvenation sessions. However, it is important to be mindful of your skin as it heals. The treatment area may be tender and sensitive with some redness.
Results achieved with IPL will vary for each person, concern, and area treated. While you may begin to enjoy some initial results shortly after treatment, the best results are often achieved with a series of regular treatment sessions.
Is There Any Special Pre-Treatment Care Needed?
To prepare for pulsed light therapy, avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanners for at least two weeks before your appointment. Skin that is recently tanned or sunburned can increase the risk of irritation or uneven results. You should also discontinue retinoids, acids, or exfoliating agents for several days prior to treatment to reduce sensitivity. Let us know if you’re using any medications that increase photosensitivity, such as certain antibiotics or acne treatments. On the day of your session, arrive with clean skin and no makeup, lotion, or SPF..
Aftercare Steps for Best Results
- Keep the area clean and protected: Gently cleanse with a mild, non-irritating cleanser and avoid scrubbing or exfoliating for several days.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily: Treated skin is more vulnerable to UV damage, so consistent SPF use helps prevent new pigmentation from forming.
- Avoid heat exposure: Refrain from using saunas, hot tubs, or taking long hot showers for 24 to 48 hours after treatment to minimize swelling or redness.
- Do not pick or peel flaking skin: Some dark spots may temporarily darken and flake off. Let the skin shed naturally to avoid irritation or discoloration.
- Pause active skincare ingredients: Skip products with retinol, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid for a few days to prevent added sensitivity.
- Stay well hydrated: Drinking water and moisturizing the skin regularly can support healing and maintain your results between sessions.
Am I a Good Candidate?
IPL treatments can be an effective treatment method for a variety of concerns for most skin tones and types. However, they are traditionally most effective on lighter skin tones. A consultation with our team can help ensure this can be an effective treatment for you and your goals.
It is important to have realistic goals and expectations for treatment. While this can serve as a good non-surgical alternative to more invasive methods, it may not achieve as dramatic results.
How Often Should I Schedule Maintenance Treatments?
After the initial treatment series, you may benefit from maintenance IPL sessions every 6 to 12 months, depending on how your skin responds and how much sun exposure you get between treatments. For concerns like pigmentation or redness, touch-up treatments can help preserve results and prevent discoloration from returning.
Frequently Asked Questions About IPL Treatments
Can IPL Be Used on Skin With Active Acne?
Yes, you can use IPL on skin with mild to moderate active acne, but we will need to assess the severity first. The light energy targets inflammation and reduces the bacteria that contribute to breakouts. You may also see less post-acne redness over time.
Can I Wear Makeup After IPL Treatments?
Wait at least 24 hours before applying makeup to allow the skin to settle and minimize the risk of irritation. If the skin feels sensitive, use only non-comedogenic or mineral-based products. Avoid using brushes or applicators that may cause friction on the treated area. Once the initial redness fades, you may resume your usual routine while continuing to use sun protection daily.
Why Choose Us for IPL Treatments?
At Priority You MD in Clearwater, we combine IPL treatments with medical-grade skincare and preventive care to support long-term skin health and visible improvement. With extensive experience in both wellness and aesthetic therapies, we know how to treat aging skin while addressing underlying factors that affect its appearance. Our Practice Director, Jamie Tripp, ARNP-C, brings advanced training and clinical precision to every treatment session, helping patients feel confident in their care. We also create customized skincare regimens using ZO® Skin Health products to complement your IPL results.
Schedule Your Consultation!
Curious about the refreshing benefits of IPL treatments? Contact us today at Priority You MD and schedule your consultation to learn more! Our dedicated team proudly serves you from Clearwater, Florida. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals. Call us at (727) 230-1438 or fill out an online form to get started.
