How Effective Is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy For Pigmentation?

26th April 2022

We explore why Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is one of the most effective treatments for improving the appearance of pigmentation and thread veins in skin.

As we age, our skin can develop pigmentation from exposure to sun, age spots and blemishes. Pigmentation will vary considerably from person to person, and can be different sizes, depths and shapes. It is most common on our face, hands, neck, décolletage and upper back – the areas that are typically most exposed to the sun.

If you would prefer to have a more even skin tone, free from uneven pigmentation, then Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is one of the most effective treatments for skin. It is precise, safe, and relatively painless, with less of an effect on the surrounding skin than other forms of pigmentation removal.

What is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy?

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that involves the use of high-intensity pulses of visible light, which are absorbed by the cells in the skin it is aimed at. The energy from the light is converted to heat, which targets the area of concern and destroys the blemishes, similar to laser treatments.

Unlike laser treatments, Intense Pulsed Light treatments deliver many different wavelengths instead of just one wavelength in each pulse of light. This makes it easier to target specific parts of the skin without using excessive energy levels.

Intense Pulsed Light therapy targets the lower layers of skin, without affecting the upper layers, meaning that the results aren’t too dramatic, and there is minimal downtime to the procedure.

What is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Used For?

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is an effective treatment for pigmentation, redness and sun damage. It helps to make complexions look clearer and more evenly coloured.

In addition to pigmentation from sun damage, Intense Pulsed Light therapy can also be used to lighten or remove freckles and liver spots. It is also used to reduce the redness and visibility of rosacea and thread veins.

How Effective is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy?

How effective your Intense Pulsed Light Therapy treatment is will depend on a few factors. IPL works most effectively on lighter skin tones (Type I-III on the Fitzpatrick scale). IPL can’t be offered to Type V-VI skin, as darker skin types have a higher risk of burning or hyperpigmentation from this treatment.

Another thing to consider is how many rounds of IPL therapy you need. Most people will require multiple rounds of treatment before results become noticeable; however, everyone responds differently to the treatment and may require more or less sessions to be effective.

Is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Effective for Improving Pigmentation?

The best way to see how good Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is for pigmentation is to show some results!

Seeking to lighten the pigmentation around the eye area, the client below saw noticeable improvements after their first treatment. The darker spots around the eyebrow are now much closer to their skin tone, making it much more even. You can also see that the redness of the skin around the eye area has also been reduced, making the skin seem calmer and brighter.

Is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Effective For Improving Veins and Redness?

We can also see the ways that Intense Pulsed Light Therapy can help with vascular lesions, redness and thread veins. The client below received IPL for vascular lesions, and we can clearly see that the treatment has helped to massively reduce redness and the visibility of vascular lesions, leaving the skin looking clearer, smoother and more even in tone.

If Intense Pulsed Light Therapy seems like a treatment that would be beneficial for your skin concerns, then you can book your first intense pulsed light therapy treatment in Bristol with us at Bristol Skin Clinic.

If you’re not sure if this is the right treatment for you, then feel free to get in touch with our expert team, and we’ll be happy to discuss your skincare needs.