IPL – A Laser Treatment without the Laser

IPL in San FranciscoIf you were to ask our patients which laser treatment is their favorite, many would tell you about their latest experience with IPL (short for intense pulsed light). This popular treatment is commonly confused for a laser treatment even though there is no laser used during the process. While lasers use a single wavelength of light, IPL uses multiple. Laser or not, IPL can create fabulous results, helping you achieve your goal of clearer, brighter, and more beautiful skin.

Is IPL Right for Me?

If you’re interested in seeing what IPL can do for you, give us a call and schedule an appointment today. This treatment is an effective solution for:

  • Uneven skin tone
  • Sun spots
  • Age Spots
  • Freckles
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Broken capilaries
  • Enlarged pores
  • Scars
  • Excess body and facial hair

IPL is typically performed on the face, but can be used on many different areas of the body. Talk with Dr. Matarasso and see if IPL is right for you.

IPL vs. Laser Treatments- What’s the Difference?

As mentioned previously IPL uses multiple light wavelengths while laser focuses on a single one. Both treatments are highly effective, but due to the differences in how results are achieved, both IPL and laser have different advantages. Recovery after an IPL treatment tends to be less extensive than recovery after a laser treatment making IPL an ideal choice for those looking for no-downtime procedures. Dr. Matarasso can help you decide if IPL or a laser treatment (like the Fraxel laser) will be the best option for the results you want to achieve.

What Can I Expect from an IPL Treatment?

IPL is performed in our offices with the entire procedure typically taking less than 30 minutes, start to finish. We start by applying an anesthetic gel followed by a cooling gel. Then a small handheld tool is used to treat the desired areas. The intensity of the treatment can be adjusted based on your skin type and needs making this treatment an ideal choice for almost all skin types. It is completely non-invasive.

After IPL

After IPL you can return to your regular activities immediately, including work and wearing makeup. You may experience some skin redness and inflammation while you heal although this will be limited to the treatment area. We recommend that patients use sunscreen after treatment as their skin will be more sensitive to the sun for a few days. Once healing is complete (usually within a few hours or days) your skin will be noticeably smoother and clearer. More than one treatment may be needed to achieve optimal results.

Come in today and see what IPL can do for you. It might not be a laser, but the results are pretty powerful.