IPL Skin Rejuvenation

Guide to IPL Skin Rejuvenation

IPL skin rejuvenation is a common cosmetic procedure designed to produce a clear, healthy and beautiful complexion. There are a variety of specific skin issues that can be solved using IPL, from certain types of conditions, to blemishes, wrinkles, the effects of ageing, and more. In this guide, you will learn more about the procedure, the process, the technology, and the benefits.

This article forms part of a series on Facial Rejuvenation by our medical experts, including: Photorejuvenation, Skin Rejuvenation and Facial Rejuvenation. Learn more by visiting these article, voicing your opinions in the comment sections below or contacting us on 1300 788 800.

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What is IPL Skin Rejuvenation?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. It is an FDA and TGA-approved and patented form of treatment which has been shown to be both safe and effective. IPL is also known as photorejuvenation. Because it is a relatively simple and straightforward procedure, with few concerns in terms of either side effects, recovery time, or the level of invasiveness with the treatment itself, IPL is continuing to become a more widely utilised choice.

Benefits of IPL Skin Rejuvenation

IPL skin rejuvenation offers patients a wide range of benefits, including:

  • IPL is a quick in-office procedure, with almost zero needs for recovery. It’s easy to fit it into your schedule and get on with the rest of your life. You see great results without undergoing intensive surgery.
  • IPL works wonders for removing red splotches, brown spots, and scarring, as well as reducing pore size, eliminating and reducing wrinkles, and improving overall skin texture, smoothness and quality. IPL has been used to treat rosacea, hyperpigmentation, melasma, age and sunspots, broken capillaries, spider veins, stretch marks, and other conditions as well.
  • IPL is a great tool to help combat the effects of ageing, and achieve a more youthful appearance.
  • IPL offers a legitimate and long-lasting solution, as opposed to some procedures which offer only short-term results.
  • IPL can also be utilised anywhere on the body, offering great versatility from a single procedure.

Procedure Details

During an IPL procedure, intense light from a range of wavelengths is focused on the specific parts of your skin that you are treating. The IPL device itself is gently pressed onto the skin, with a smooth, transparent surface emitting the light on the targeted areas.

This light helps to spur on the production of collagen, which will help to fill in lines and wrinkles or shallow scarring, while also reducing redness, discolouration, and spots.

Meanwhile, the targeted tissue that has been damaged is naturally removed by the body. Depending on what is being treated, the exact wavelength range can be adjusted to optimise results.

You will wear an eye mask to protect your eyes and vision during the procedure, and topical gels may be applied on your skin to prevent overheating. You may also be given pain medication before or after the procedure, but you do not undergo any form of anesthesia.

The entire procedure is very quick, taking about half an hour to complete, although the exact length will depend on what you are specifically treating, and its size or scope. Once it has been completed though, you will likely spend a very short recovery and observation period in the clinic before being allowed to go home.

Light vs. Laser

It is important to understand that IPL skin rejuvenation utilises light waves, not laser. These terms are often used interchangeably by many individuals, however, this is not correct. A separate treatment, known as laser skin resurfacing, is also utilised as a cosmetic treatment for some similar conditions. Laser skin resurfacing may either be ablative (removing top layers of skin via induced injury) or non-ablative (heat damage to deep layers of skin without removing skin).

While there is an overlap between IPL and laser skin resurfacing in terms of what they are used for and how they work, they are not the same and do not have the exact same applications, either. Laser skin resurfacing is also much more expensive than IPL. The latter is also seen as offering reduced risk of abnormal healing or the potential for making certain types of skin conditions worse.

Other Considerations

While IPL is a very versatile and effective procedure, it does not produce guaranteed results for all people, all skin types, and all issues. For instance, IPL is not as effective on very dark or tan skin in comparison to fare or pale complexions.

The procedure itself may be slightly uncomfortable, akin to a stinging or slight burning sensation. After the procedure, it may feel as if you had been sunburned for about 24-48 hours. There is the possibility, although not common, that you may develop blistering or scabs following IPL.

After receiving your treatment, you will be advised to spend anywhere from two to five days out of direct and prolonged sun exposure. Your clinician may also recommend avoiding direct hot water streams, i.e., your shower, or soaking in water in a tub or pool.

Depending on what exactly you’re looking to accomplish, you will likely need to schedule multiple IPL treatments, potentially up to half a dozen. Individual IPL sessions are spaced approximately four weeks apart. Therefore, while the treatments are quick, the overall process may take some time to see final results and completion. In the first week or two after a treatment, blemishes or spots may actually darken before fading.

While IPL offers a long-lasting solution with the appearance and texture of your skin, it does not stop the ageing process, or the causes of other wear and tear to your skin. Therefore, it is not a permanent solution.

Cost

The average cost in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane for IPL treatment in 2014 was approximately $450, with a range spanning from $100-$800. Often, depending on the strength of the device. However, keep in mind that this represents the cost of a single treatment, and in many cases, patients undergo several individual treatments throughout the process. There may also be additional costs beyond the actual fee represented above. Of course, this is an elective, cosmetic procedure, and is not covered by insurance.

Choosing Your Practitioner or Clinic

As with any type of medical procedure, it is important to select the right physician or skin clinic to work with. When it comes to IPL, you should understand that this is an overall process which could take three, sometimes up to 5 treatments (in extreme cases) with 3-4 weeks in between each treatment.Therefore, your physician should from the opening consultation be able to create an overall action plan and timeline for you, and you should be on the same page with him or her with what the entails, how many treatments you will be undergoing, and how long the entire start to finish process will take.

You should feel comfortable with your practitioner, and be able to take to him or her freely about your concerns, while asking questions and receiving honest feedback. He or she should also be able to talk with you about all of your options for skin treatments and cosmetic procedures, so you know you are making the right choice. Overall reputation, combined with experience and education, as well as any additional training or certification, remain the cornerstones of selecting any clinic or individual for your procedure.

The Bottom Line on IPL

IPL skin rejuvenation is safe, easy and highly effective for treating everything from wrinkles to blemishes, and a wide range of skin conditions and related ailments. With a relatively affordable cost per treatment and little if any need for downtime, IPL offers its patients a great combination of convenience, accessibility and overall success.

Schedule your Free Consultation!

The first step should always be a consultation first. This allows us to better understand your circumstances and tailor a treatment plan specifically for you.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Consultations are subject to our standard terms & conditions which you can read here.
8 replies
  1. Miki
    Miki says:

    It has been well over a year now since I had my skin rejuvenation treatment at a laser clinic Sydney. After several treatments my skin look great, my pigmentation was drastically removed, sun damage was repaired and the freckles faded away. I was told that I should avoid direct sun as my skin pigmentation would return but it to date has not. I do use an sun protection with SPF 30+ but I would have thought I would need to get touch up treatments. I didn’t, I was impressed and still am very impressed with the results from the ipl laser skin rejuvenation treatment.

    Reply
  2. Liza
    Liza says:

    I feel as if I have gone through a skin training course I really enjoyed reading the Photorejuvenation, Skin Rejuvenation and Facial Rejuvenation articles on this blog. I am very interested in the facial rejuvenation, I wouldn’t mind rejuvenating my face. I have read some real people reviews for facial rejuvenation and they seem really good outcomes.

    Reply
  3. Vanna
    Vanna says:

    Does anyone know what the ipl skin rejuvenation prices are for upper back? I have been trying to find out prices online but no luck. I don’t want to call a clinic as they will make me come in for a consultation when I just want a price at this stage.

    Reply
  4. The Wanderer
    The Wanderer says:

    I`ve been hearing a lot about IPL Skin Rejuvenation but does it work? Too often do you read about the “latest and greatest” treatments but they really do nothing. Ive had IPL hair removal treatments but I have never had a skin treatment. Is the ipl skin rejuvenation machine used for both hair removal and skin rejuvenation? How does that even work?

    Reply
  5. Dora
    Dora says:

    Microdermabrasion and IPL skin rejuvenation are my two favourite skin treatemtns. I try and have a microdermabrasion every 2 months and skin rejuvenation every 6-8 months. The benefits of ipl skin rejuvenation are clearer, healthier and more vibrant looking skin. I think it’s a great way to maintain my skin. I also use dermatology grade skin care products and I can honestly say I look 7 years younger than I actually am, no one ever guesses my age. For those who require some more work there is Fraxel laser treatments which are great for severe sun damage or hyperpigmentation and results are much more prominent.

    Reply
  6. Jay
    Jay says:

    I had a friend that once did the IPL treatment. To be honest, she wasn’t happy with it. There were some side effects the doctors didn’t warn her about, so the day after the process she got some swelling on her face, and some red dots, oh, it was disgusting. It passed with some cream my mother gave her. But she didn’t go back afterwards. The facial rejuvenation centre she went to didn’t really have fantastic reviews, maybe that’s why, but she didn’t really bother to check that. So, as a good friend, I’m looking into some great clinics or other alternatives. She’s kind of a beauty freak, so I want her to still keep herself looking nice, and not be afraid of treatments, that would just be silly.

    Has anyone got any recommendations? I’d really like to hear some names of doctors, or specific clinics, because nobody seems to say which clinic they go to exactly, and it’s very important for me to know that!

    Reply
  7. Karena
    Karena says:

    I just had my first IPL treatment today. I researched online, found Realself great for reviews.
    Then I found a place near me The Laser Lounge, Erina NSW. They were friendly, informative & professional. IPL hurts, like being zapped, more so near the sensitive/thinner skin. Next time I will take some panadol before I go, because they increase the strength each session.
    It doesn’t take long & they cleansed thoroughly prior & applied zinc sunscreen after. When I walked out there was a bit of redness/irritation. But I’ve just had my evening shower & while my skin looks its usual self, it felt ultra smooth & more sensitive as I washed it. And it’s dry, so doubled up on the soothing moisturiser.
    Hope that all helps. Will try & update after another session.

    Reply

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