Multiple factors, such as genetics, sun exposure and age, affect the results and longevity of an IPL photofacial. However, a patient that maintains a healthy lifestyle and practices sun safety may expect the results of intense pulsed light to be apparent for six months to a year.

Intense pulsed light works on deeper layers of the skin to activate the natural repair process of the body. For this reason, it may take a week or more for visible changes on the skin. Although a single IPL treatment may be capable of substantial improvement, the general recommendation is a series of 4 to 6 treatments spaced at an interval that allows for recovery of the skin (typically 4 weeks). Some clinicians prefer working with intense pulsed light precisely because more treatments are required, affording the practitioner the opportunity to build upon previous treatments and make adjustments to augment the final results.

Any further treatments needed to maintain results of an IPL treatment will depend in large part on the lifestyle and skincare habits of the patient. Patients with a skin-friendly lifestyle and who practice safe sun exposure may only need two IPL treatments a year. Any IPL treatment decisions, including the number of intense pulsed light treatments needed, should be made in consulation with a trusted professional.

An individual’s response to an IPL treatment will differ based on a patient’s age, unique biology, medical history and lifestyle. Correctly performed, intense pulsed light requires very little downtime and most patients may resume their normal lifestyle (excluding strenuous workouts and sun exposure) immediately after treatment.

Immediately following intense pulsed light therapy the patient may experience a sunburn sensation that persists a few hours. Redness and swelling of the skin may last up to a week post-treatment. Pigmented areas of the face will get darker and naturally slough off in 7-10 days as will any “crusting” or scabbing that develops. These are all signs of natural skin repair after IPL treatment and are not troublesome unless they persist. The use of cold packs and gels and/or balms may be recommended to soothe discomfort and speed up recovery.

Although very rare, more severe side effects such as blistering or any sign of infection, should be reported to the clinician for monitoring and treatment recommendations.

An IPL treatment produces a controlled thermal injury in the skin. While that may sound like a negative thing, the heat causes collagen fibers to contract, creating the “tightening” effect reported after an IPL photofacial. Delivering this heat deep into the skin also stimulates the natural wound response, resulting in the production of new collagen. In addition, areas of concentrated pigment in the skin, whether brown spots or areas of dilated capillaries, are broken up by the intense pulsed light and naturally eliminated from the skin. These combined effects of intense pulsed light address many of the issues associated with aging, making an IPL treatment a popular anti-aging modality for aging in the skin.^4,5

An IPL treatment is often erroneously labeled a laser. IPL is simply an acronym for what it is; an intense pulsed light, which is quite different from a fractional laser. A laser delivers a monochromatic energy source, meaning it produces a single, concentrated beam of one specific wavelength. In the case of a fractional laser, this beam of light energy will be divided into thousands of smaller beams or columns of light. Intense pulsed light, on the other hand, employs a broad spectrum of light energy of varying wavelengths. Laser has the benefit of being much more powerful and can accomplish improvements that an IPL treatment cannot, such as tattoo removal. However, the broad spectrum used for intense pulsed light allows for greater customization and versatility.⁶ In addition, many intense pulsed light machines employ the use of filters to block certain wavelengths to reach specific targets. The difference in potential power between the two modalities also explains why a laser is generally more painful than an IPL treatment.

An IPL treatment is generally administered with the help of a topical numbing or cooling cream, making intense pulsed light a tolerable treatment for nearly anyone. However, pain is subjective and some patients may find an IPL treatment to be painless where others may find it more uncomfortable. The sensation of an IPL treatment has been described as a popping sensation on the skin somewhat akin to a rubber band snapping on the skin surface. And while such a sensation may be uncomfortable it should not be painful or intolerable. If a patient experiences that level of pain it should be discussed with the provider and the appropriate measures taken, such as reducing the energy output of the intense pulsed light, to ensure efficacy of the IPL treatment without sacrificing patient comfort.