IPL — INTENSE PULSED LIGHT THERAPY

Worried about pigmentation, sun spots, facial redness, broken capillaries or uneven skin tone?

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a light-based treatment that can target several common skin concerns, including pigmentation, sun damage, redness and visible blood vessels. It can also be used for hair reduction in suitable areas.

IPL vs laser: what's the difference?

Unlike laser treatments, which typically use a specific wavelength of light, IPL delivers a broader range of wavelengths. This allows different skin concerns to be targeted depending on the treatment settings selected.

Neither is automatically better than the other. The right technology depends on what you're treating, your skin and your individual goals.

During your consultation, Renee can assess your skin and recommend the treatment approach most appropriate for your concerns.

At LIFE X CLINICS, IPL treatments are performed using our in-clinic E-Light IPL/RF system, with settings tailored to your individual skin tone, skin concerns and treatment goals.

What can IPL help with?

At LIFE X CLINICS, IPL treatments are performed using our in-clinic E-Light IPL/RF system which is included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), with settings tailored to your skin type, tone, and specific concerns.

How IPL works:

During treatment, broad-spectrum light is delivered into the skin, where it's absorbed by targeted chromophores, primarily melanin (found in pigment) and haemoglobin (found in blood vessels). As these structures absorb the light energy, it converts to heat, which:

• Breaks down excess pigment in sun spots, freckles, and areas of discolouration, allowing the body to naturally clear the fragmented pigment over time
• Coagulates small, visible blood vessels, causing them to collapse and fade from view
• Generates mild heat within the deeper skin layers, stimulating collagen production and gradually improving skin texture and tone
  

Conditions IPL can help with:

• Sun damage and pigmentation - including sun spots, freckles, and areas of sun-induced discolouration
• Rosacea and facial redness - reducing the appearance of visible blood vessels and flushing associated with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea
• Vascular concerns - including broken capillaries, spider veins, and general facial redness
• Melasma - in select cases, used cautiously as part of a broader treatment plan, given melasma's sensitivity to heat and potential for rebound pigmentation
• Acne and congestion - helping to reduce acne-causing bacteria and calm inflammation
• Uneven skin tone and texture - improving overall clarity and radiance with a course of treatments
• Unwanted hair - reducing hair growth over a series of sessions, in areas suitable for light-based hair reduction
  
  

What happens during an IPL treatment?

Treatment typically takes between 15 - 45 minutes depending on the area treated. A cooling gel is applied prior to treatment, and most patients describe the sensation as a mild snapping or warming feeling. Some redness or mild swelling is common immediately after treatment and generally settles within a few hours to a day. Pigmented areas may temporarily darken before flaking off over the following one to two weeks.

Because IPL works progressively, a course of treatments is typically recommended for optimal results, with the number of sessions depending on the condition being treated and its severity.

A personalised approach

Not every skin type or condition is suited to IPL, and settings must be carefully tailored to your individual skin tone to ensure safe, effective treatment. Our Dermal Clinician Renee, will assess your skin during consultation to confirm suitability and design a treatment plan around your specific goals.

If you're concerned about pigmentation, sun spots, freckles, facial redness, broken capillaries or uneven skin tone, book a consultation with Renee to find out whether IPL may be suitable for your skin.