IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a type of laser used in various kinds of skin treatments. Being a relatively new type of skin treatment, there are many parts of it the general public simply doesn’t know about. So if you live in Fayetteville, and you’re considering IPL, here are all the things you need to know before pursuing treatment.
What is it and what does it treat?
Firstly, of course, what exactly is IPL? As said above, it’s a skin care laser meant to treat sun damage, rosacea, and age spots. Typically applied to the face, neck, shoulders, back, and hands, the light penetrates the patient’s skin via a series of wavelengths. These wavelengths target red and brown spots on the skin, resulting in a more even or even brighter skin tone. It can also handle unsightly hairs, but since this is more of a side effect, it would take multiple treatments to have the desired effect, so it’s best to just go to a laser hair removal for that. It’s even less effective on people with not a lot of color contrast between their skin and their hair.
Risks
The main risk is pain, but even that isn’t much. The worst recorded patients feel is a stinging sensation similar to a rubber band being snapped against the affected area when the light is actually hitting their skin. This is similar to laser hair removal, and like LSR is completely harmless and should go away right after the light is turned off.
IPL in Fayetteville is not recommended for people with darker skin, because of its tendency to brighten skin, and it has a hard time locating discoloration on the darker skin. It’s generally best to just consult a doctor or dermatologist to see if IPL is the best for you.
How often will I need to be treated?
This is a big sticking point for many, mostly due to cost. The main flaw with LSR, for instance, is that, unlike razors, LSR is incredibly expensive to keep doing every month or so. Luckily, while IPL isn’t any less expensive than LSR, you don’t need to get it as often. The most you’ll generally have to do is a few monthly treatments then a maintenance treatment once or twice a year.
Conclusion
IPL is nothing to be afraid of, most of the time. There are some risks and issues you need to take into account, just like any kind of cosmetic treatment, but they’re relatively minor. Even still, consult your doctor before considering IPL, to see if it’s the right treatment for you.
