Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high intensity pulses of visible light to treat a variety of skin conditions, including:

• Facial lines and wrinkles. When used to provide a more youthful appearance, IPL is referred to as a “photofacial” or “photorejuvenation”.
• Vascular lesions, including rosy cheeks (flushing), and the redness (erythema) of rosacea and of photodamaged skin of the neck (poikiloderma)
• Freckles and age spots (lentigines)
• Acne (Mild to moderate)
• Red Stretch marks

IPL systems produce light with many wavelengths, unlike lasers which produce light of just one wavelength.  The light emitted by IPL is absorbed by pigments in the skin cells and converted to heat, which impacts the targeted tissue. 

Our Elos system is unique from standard IPL systems because it enhances the IPL action with additional focused heating using radio-frequency (electrical) energy for a more controlled and effective treatment.

For instance, when used to treat colored spots, the light of IPL heats up the melanin pigment in the lesion and then radio-frequency energy selectively enhances the heat of this target to break up the melanin into a form that can be eliminated up through the surface of the skin.

IPL therapy is referred to as a “non-ablative” resurfacing technique because it affects the lower layers of skin (dermis) without damaging the upper layers of skin (epidermis). The results are not as dramatic as ablative resurfacing with lasers, but IPL therapy offers minimal downtime. A person can have a treatment during lunchtime and return to work the same day.

Each treatment session lasts about 20 minutes. 4-6 sessions may be recommended every 3-6 weeks to achieve desired results. IPL treatments are very easy and side effects are minor. Side effects may include:

• mild pain during treatment (reduced with the used of a coolant on the skin). The sensation has been likened to a light pinch or the snap of a rubber band.
• redness immediately post-procedures
• mild irritation similar to a sunburn for several days
• areas that are darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation) than surrounding skin. This is rarely permanent.