Intense Pulsed Light

Want to even out your skin tone and take years off of your face? At Skin Therapeutics, we offer intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments as a convenient, non-invasive way to brighten your complexion, reduce fine lines and remove unwanted hair and acne scars.

Our clinic serves the greater Baltimore area, and our experienced staff is ready to help you achieve the skin you want. With IPL treatments, you can easily and safely attain healthier, younger-looking skin.

Intense Pulsed Light Treatments at Skin Therapeutics

Intense pulsed light treatments harness the power of light energy to target specific pigments in your skin, helping to reverse outward skin damage caused by sun exposure and aging.

IPL devices send out multiple wavelengths of different durations and intensity levels, meaning you can target several skin concerns at once.

These wavelengths break down the targeted pigments, and your body is then able to absorb and eliminate them. The result is a more even skin tone with fewer blemishes and signs of aging or sun damage.

What Can You Treat with IPL Therapy?

IPL treatments can help you achieve the firm, youthful skin you want. Here are the concerns that this therapy can address.

Acne

IPL treatment diminishes the appearance of acne and acne scars by promoting skin cell turnover.

Fine lines

IPL therapy helps you look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face and neck.

Spider veins

Broken blood vessels, broken capillaries and spider veins can be hard to hide, but IPL therapy can help to break down the discolored and damaged cells so your body eliminate them.

Scarring

If you’re concerned about scarring or stretch marks, IPL treatments help to reduce the appearance of these unwanted blemishes.

Skin discoloration

Any type of skin discoloration can see drastic improvements from IPL treatment. This includes:

• Age spots
• Brown spots
• Freckles
• Rosacea
• Sun spots

Unwanted hair growth

IPL therapy is a long-lasting alternative to shaving or waxing unwanted hair. Like laser hair removal, it’s administered in multiple sessions over time to help prevent hair regrowth.

Before & Afters

Who are the Best Candidates for IPL Treatments?

IPL therapy may be ideal for you if:

• You have pale or light brown skin
• You have multiple skin concerns that you’d like to address
• You aren’t sensitive to light
• You haven’t recently tanned (outdoors, at a tanning bed, or using self-tanner)
• You don’t have any diagnosed skin disorders

If you’re still not sure IPL is right for you, feel free to book a consultation. We can help you figure out the best course of action to help you attain the results you’re looking for.

What to Expect During Your IPL Treatment

Intense pulsed light therapy is simple and non-invasive. Here’s what to expect.

Before your appointment

Several weeks before your appointment, you should stop tanning or using self-tanner, and discontinue using retinoid creams. Also, avoid waxing, chemical peels and collagen shots for at least two weeks prior to your IPL appointment.

Before your procedure, don’t take aspirin or other medications that may make you prone to bleeding. You should also avoid medications that may make your skin more sensitive to light, like certain antibiotics.

At your appointment

The day of your appointment, avoid using any products with fragrance and keep your face makeup-free. This can help prevent irritation and make sure that you’re getting the maximum benefit from your treatment.

When you arrive, you will be given dark glasses to protect your eyes from the light emitted by the IPL device. We will apply gel to the treatment area before starting, and the IPL device will make direct contact with your skin.

A typical session can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area.

During treatment, your skin may sting slightly. If you’re particularly sensitive, please feel free to request a numbing cream—which we can apply before your treatment begins.

After your appointment

One of the major benefits of an IPL photofacial is that there is minimal downtime.

After your appointment, you may feel a sensation similar to a slight sunburn for a few hours. It’s a good idea to ice the treatment area for 30 minutes. 

For optimal results, use a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen to keep the area hydrated and protected. We’re happy to give you some recommendations for our favorite brands at your consultation.

Related Treatments

If IPL treatment isn’t the right fit for you, there are other routes we can take to help you look and feel your best. We’re happy to review all available skin treatment options with you until we find the perfect fit. 

Some other options include: 

• DiamondGlow microdermabrasion: This treatment gently buffs away the topmost layer of your skin with a diamond-tipped microdermabrasion pen, revealing smoother and more youthful-looking skin and allowing better absorption of skin-boosting serums.
• Lutronic Spectra laser treatments: If you’re concerned about skin sensitivity to IPL, Lutronic Spectra laser treatments offer similar benefits with more comfort and shorter treatment times.
• Skin rejuvenation treatments: We offer laser skin resurfacing, dermal fillers, Botox, chemical peels, microneedling and more.

How Much Do IPL Treatments Cost?

The cost of IPL treatments depends on a number of factors:

• Number of sessions you’ll need
• Pigmentation of the treatment area
• Size of the treatment area
• Your goals and skin concerns 

Schedule a consultation with us to get your personalized treatment plan with a detailed breakdown of the costs for your IPL treatments.

IPL Therapy FAQ 

How many sessions will I need?

Most people need between 3–7 sessions to achieve their desired results; your experience depends greatly on your needs and the size of the treatment area. At your initial consultation, we’ll establish a treatment plan and get a better idea of how many sessions you’ll need.

How long do IPL results last?

If you are consistent with a good skincare routine, your results can last for years. Sunscreen must be part of your daily skincare regimen for long-lasting results. At your appointments, we’ll go over what you’ll need to do at home to keep your IPL results looking fresh well into the future.

Does IPL have side effects?

IPL is safe, but some people may experience minor side effects. These include:

• Bleeding
• Color changes in the treatment area
• Crusting
• Infection
• Swelling and blistering

How painful is IPL treatment?

IPL may cause a slight burning or stinging sensation. It’s been described as the feeling of a rubber band being popped on your skin. Afterward, it may feel like a mild sunburn.

Can you see results after one IPL treatment?

Yes, you will start to see results after one session. Still, it will take time for your skin to respond. It may take 10 days or longer after each treatment before you see the effects.