IPL Photofacial

It depends on where you fall on the scale, and the honest answer is that IPL is not the right treatment for everyone. IPL targets melanin, so the more melanin the skin holds, the more light energy it absorbs — which raises the risk of burns and of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the opposite of the intended result. Lighter Asian skin (Fitzpatrick III–IV) is usually treatable with conservative settings and a patch test. For Fitzpatrick V–VI we would not recommend IPL at all, and would discuss gentle peels and topical management instead — ResurFX is safe on deeper skin but treats texture, not pigment.

A laser emits one wavelength; IPL emits a broad range. That makes IPL versatile for surface colour — it can address brown spots and redness in the same pass — but less precise, and unable to reach the depth needed for texture and scarring. For colour, IPL; for texture, a fractional laser.

That is the expected response. The light fragments the pigment, which rises toward the surface, darkens, and flakes off over one to two weeks. Picking at it risks scarring and fresh pigmentation, so let it shed on its own.

Three to five, spaced three to four weeks apart. An isolated sun spot sometimes clears in one session, but diffuse pigmentation and redness almost always need a course — a single treatment gives partial improvement rather than a finished result.

It is possible but demands discipline. Treated skin is more UV-sensitive, and sun exposure can trigger new pigmentation that cancels out the result. If you treat in summer, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and genuine sun avoidance are required — many people prefer to schedule pigmentation work for autumn and winter.

No sun exposure or self-tanner for two to four weeks beforehand — a tan makes IPL unsafe, not just less effective. Stop retinol and acids about a week before. Tell us about all medication: some antibiotics and acne treatments make skin photosensitive.