IPL is a powerful treatment for sun damage, including the reduction of brown pigment spots caused by sun exposure over the years, and fading broken veins and red blood vessels. Commonly treated areas are the face, neck, chest and hands.

The result: your skin appears clearer and cleaner, reflecting light more easily.

A pleasant bonus to IPL is a slight enhancement in collagen production with each treatment. After a course of IPL, you may also notice improved skin texture or reduced pore size.

IPL for sun damage combines extremely well with Botox® for wrinkles and dermal fillers for facial contour. Studies show combining treatments may cause a synergistic effect, giving more improvement than expected.

IPL is an excellent treatment for rosacea, reducing facial veins for a reduction in flushing. We recommend that severe rosacea sufferers see one our expert dermatologists first, for a full treatment plan that may include medication and skin care.

IPL treatment uses concentrated light to heat brown pigment and red veins more than the surrounding skin, reducing these blemishes without breaking the surface if the skin. The more your skin has been protected from the sun, the stronger treatment we can give. We can’t treat tanned skin due to the risk of burns, so if you’re considering IPL, start using a zinc based sunscreen daily.

IPL should not be used in Skin Type IV and over, as it risks causing burns and brown discolouration of the skin. You should also avoid IPL if:

• you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• your skin is tanned
• you take medication that make your skin sensitive to light
• or you can’t avoid UV exposure on the area for four weeks after treatment. It is very important to wear a zinc based sunscreen daily after treatment, on the treated area.

Hormonal brown pigment, called melasma, should not be treated with IPL, as it may be exacerbated.

How long does treatment take?
Treatment takes 30-60 minutes depending on the area to be treated. Brown pigment typically required 2-3 treatments, red veins 2-5 treatments and rosacea typically requires 5-6 treatments.

What do I look like afterwards?
Expect to look red and slightly swollen immediately after. Cold compresses help, and you can wear makeup to cover redness immediately afterwards if you wish. Brown pigment goes dark and flakes off after 7-14 days. Red veins may leave a bruise lasting 7-14 days.

Does it hurt?
IPL feels like a short sharp sting, like a rubber band pinging against the skin. We use a special device called a Zimmer that blows intensely cooled air to make treatment more comfortable.