Intense pulsed light (IPL) is also known as BBL or (Broad Band Light) is a technology used to perform various skin treatments for aesthetic and therapeutic purposes, including:
- Hair removal
- Photo rejuvenation (e.g. the treatment of skin pigmentation, sun damage, and thread veins)
IPL is not a laser and consists of pulses of intense light of many colours that appears white. The range of colours is both the advantage and weakness of this treatment. By having so many colours it is possible to treat a wide range of conditions but because the energy is divided between so many colours which have different effects it is best for treating conditions in their initial stages, or as part of a long-term preventative programme.
There is now strong clinical evidence that regular IPL treatments – i.e. 4/year is an effective antiaging treatment which works by revitalising the skin at a cellular level.
Modern innovations in IPL equipment including a cooled tip treatment head, EPL – to reduce the required light energy and the use of several smaller pulses in place of one big one mean that IPL is now generally a comfortable and safe treatment.
IPL is applied through a short wand, a gel is applied to the target area which soothes the skin, and our aesthetic therapist then applies the pulses in a session that usually lasts for about 30 minutes. IPL will sometimes take several sessions, but this will be determined beforehand at consultation.
Related Conditions
Frequently Asked Question
What is IPL treatment?
Intense pulsed light (not laser) also known as IPL photo-rejuvenation is a light-based treatment used to address a wide variety of skin conditions including pigmentation, age spots, facial redness, rosacea, active acne and photo-ageing.
IPL emits a broad-spectrum pulse of light ( In the USA referred to as BBL) using different wavelengths which are specific to the skin condition being targeted. The energy emitted by the pulses of light causes the skin lesion to be destroyed via a process known as photo-thermolysis. IPL treatment is a safe and effective treatment with minimal discomfort and very little if any downtime.
Does IPL hurt?
The sensation during an IPL treatment ranges from warmth to something like the sting of a rubber band snapping against your skin.
Is there any downtime?
Unlike ablative laser resurfacing or other skin resurfacing procedures, there is no real downtime with IPL.
Your skin may be slightly pink or red right after your treatment, and you may experience mild swelling that should subside in a few days. The treated area of skin can feel sensitive for a few hours after and may feel as if you have a mild sunburn. Freckles and age spots may initially look darker for 3-7 days after treatment.
What happens during an IPL treatment?
We will initially assess you skin to ensure the correct treatment for your skin type and the indication we will be treating.
Before starting a course of treatment we will always do a test patch to ensure we have selected the optimum settings for you.
The treating area is cleansed, and a cool gel is applied onto your skin to improve the effectiveness of the treatment and your comfort.
Eye protection will be worn during treatment.
Light pulses from the IPL device are applied to your skin and after treatment the gel and eye protection will be removed.
What after care is required?
Immediately following the treatment we will is appropriate apply a soothing cream.
Then in all cases we will apply a high (>30) SPF cream before you leave the clinic.
There is a chance that your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight in the first days after treatment and we recommend the use of ideally an 50SPF cream for at least the following two weeks.
We also strongly recommend that you stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible during this period.
What do I need to do before my treatment?
The main requirement is that you avoid actively tanning your skin for 2 weeks prior to any light based treatment. We can treat tanned skin but not skin that is actively still tanning.
Can IPL treatments be used as a preventative treatment?
Yes. Research done by Dr Patrick Bitter of Stamford Medical School in the USA, strongly suggests that regular (at least quarterly ) IPL (BBL) treatments are an effective way to combat the signs of aging. Please contact us for further information on preventative treatments.