Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, is a type of treatment similar to laser, indicated for removing blemishes on the skin, combating wrinkles and expression lines and removing unwanted hair all over the body, especially on the face, chest, abdomen, arms, armpits, groin and legs.
Treatments with intense pulsed light are safe and several scientific studies have shown that even months after treatment sessions there is no increase in defense cells that are related to the presence of diseases and cancerous tumors.
It is important that the treatment with pulsed light is carried out by a dermatologist or a professional specialized in aesthetics, after evaluating the person and their health status, as there are contraindications.
Main indications
The main indications of pulsed light are:
1. Extended waxing
Intense pulsed light is recommended for prolonged hair removal, as it can promote the removal of a large part of the hair, and those that grow after the end of the treatment are finer and lighter, becoming very discreet and easier to remove with tweezers. for example.
This treatment can be done on the face, armpits, belly, back, groin, arms and legs, with around 10 sessions generally recommended.
The interval between sessions is 1 month, which is the time needed for the hair to be in the anagen phase, which corresponds to the hair growth phase, making it possible to obtain better results with pulsed light.
If you wish to undergo pulsed light treatment, make an appointment with the dermatologist closest to your region:
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2. Elimination of wrinkles and expression lines
Expression lines can be completely removed and wrinkles can be reduced using the Intense Pulsed Light device.
This is because this treatment promotes an increase in the amount of collagen fibers and improves the organization of elastin fibers that support the skin, and which normally have their production reduced after the age of 30.
The increase in these cells is progressive, so after each treatment session, the cells continue to be produced naturally by the body for around 3 months, and therefore the results are not immediate, but are maintained for long periods.
Therefore, a good strategy is to do 5 sessions each year to completely eliminate wrinkles and expression lines.
3. Combat rosacea and telangiectasia
Rosacea and telangiectasia are situations that can be treated with the help of intense pulsed light, because the light and energy emitted by the device promote better reorganization of cells and distribution of small blood vessels.
In general, 3 to 4 sessions are necessary, with an interval of 1 month between them, and a 50% reduction is normally observed in the second treatment session.
There are no adverse effects of this treatment, the skin only becomes pink in the treated area in the first few hours, but there are no scars or spots left in the area.
4. Acne treatment
Treatment with intense pulsed light also eliminates acne when the equipment’s green or red lights are used.
While the green light eliminates bacteria that are related to acne, the Propionibacterium acnesred light combats inflammation, which is important for the complete destruction of this bacteria.
3 to 6 treatment sessions are required, with an improvement in the appearance of the skin and acne after the third session.
However, pulsed light cannot be used when the person takes medications such as Roaccutane (isotretinoin), corticosteroids, acetylsalicylic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, photosensitizers or when the skin is tanned. Discover other acne treatment options.
5. Elimination of stretch marks
Intense pulsed light is also a good treatment for recent stretch marks, which are reddish, because it stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen fibers and reorganize them in the stroma.
With this technique, a reduction in the number of stretch marks is observed and also a reduction in their width and length.
However, better results are obtained when complementary means are used after the session, such as acids such as tretinoin or glycolic acid, for example. See other ways to eliminate stretch marks.
6. Dark circles removal
Intense pulsed light also has excellent results in eliminating dark circles, achieving excellent results when dark circles are caused by vascular congestion. In the case of dark circles of hereditary origin, the results may not be of great significance.
At least 3 sessions spaced 1 month apart are required to achieve results. Check out other treatments recommended to remove dark circles.
After the session, it is normal for the treated skin to become a little red in the first few hours, which can remain for up to 3 days, and small crusts may form that should not be removed with your nails.
7. Skin blemish removal
Intense pulsed light can also be used to remove dark spots on the skin, even in the case of melasma.
This treatment lightens the skin, increases the amount of collagen and elastin fibers by 50%, leaving the skin firmer and less flaccid, in addition to increasing the presence of small vessels in the skin, which improve local blood oxygenation, providing a uniform tone. and younger, more beautiful skin.
Treatment sessions should take place approximately 3-4 weeks apart and during treatment, it is recommended to use sunscreen SPF above 30 daily on the face and avoid direct sun exposure.
After the first sessions, dark spots may appear in the treated area, which are called transient post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, but by taking daily skin care and using a soothing lotion following the treatment, they tend to disappear.
Using whitening lotion for 1 month before starting treatment can reduce the risk of blemishes after treatment.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment with intense pulsed light is carried out by a dermatologist or a professional specializing in aesthetics, applying beams of light to the skin, which are absorbed by the cells and substances present in the skin.
During the session, the doctor and the person wear appropriate glasses to protect the eyes from the light emitted by the equipment. If it is necessary to carry out the treatment in areas with tattoos, it may be necessary to place a white sheet to cover the tattoo, to avoid burns or depigmentation.
Each session lasts an average of 30 minutes, which may vary according to the person’s goals, and should take place at intervals of 4 weeks.
IPL is less painful than traditional laser, and during the treatment you may feel a slight burning sensation, which passes in less than 10 seconds.
Care after treatment
After treatment with pulsed light, some precautions are necessary, such as:
- Apply a healing cream or ointment with sunscreen, recommended by the doctor;
- Avoid exposing yourself to the sun or using artificial tanning for 1 month before and after each session;
- Use sunscreen dailywith at least SPF 30, and reapply whenever necessary;
- Do not remove peeling skin and do not pick off small scabs that may appear, waiting for them to fall off on their own;
- Avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours after laser hair removal on the face;
- Do not take a bath with very hot water on the same day as the treatment;
- Wear light clothing that does not rub your skin.
If the skin on your face peels, it is not recommended to use makeup, preferring to use moisturizing creams with a refreshing or calming effect several times a day.
Possible health risks
The main risks of pulsed light treatment are:
1. Skin burn
Skin burns can occur if the equipment is poorly calibrated, when the skin is tanned or when the equipment is misused.
If, during the application of the technique, the burning sensation takes more than 10 seconds to pass and is similar to the sensation of a fire burn, the doctor must adjust the equipment again to avoid causing further burns.
If the skin is already burned, the treatment should be stopped and a burn healing ointment used, under the guidance of the dermatologist. Discover a homemade burn ointment that can help complement the treatment.
Currently, there are devices that cool the region after each flash shot, which are more comfortable because the cold tip alleviates the burning sensation after each shot.
2. Light or dark spots on the skin
If the area at the treatment site becomes lighter or a little darker, it is a sign that the equipment did not have the best wavelength for the person’s skin tone.
The risk of blemishes appearing is greater in dark-skinned or tanned people, which is why it is important to adjust the device if there are changes in the person’s skin tone between one session and another.
In case of dark spots on the skin, whitening creams recommended by the dermatologist can be used.
3. Eye injury
When the doctor and the person do not use protective glasses throughout the treatment, serious changes can occur in the eyes, affecting the iris. But to eliminate this risk, simply wear protective glasses correctly throughout the procedure.
Can pulsed light cause cancer?
Treatment with intense pulsed light does not cause or increase the risk of cancer and several studies have already been carried out proving that this is a safe procedure.
When not indicated
Treatment with intense pulsed light is not recommended in the following situations:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- Use of medicines, such as isotretinoin, corticosteroids, anticoagulants or photosensitizing medicines;
- People with tanned skin;
- White hairs in the region to be treated;
- Infection or wounds on the skin;
- Skin cancer.
Furthermore, treatment with pulsed light should be done with caution in people who have cold sores or genital herpes, as the light can reactivate the herpes simplex virus and generate herpes attacks.
For this reason, the doctor may recommend the use of antiviral medications, to be started 1 day before treatment and continued for up to 2 weeks after the session. See the main remedies for cold sores and genital herpes.
These contraindications must be taken into account when the person is evaluated by the professional so that complications can be avoided during or after treatment.
Possible side effects
Intense pulsed light is considered a safe treatment when performed by a dermatologist or a professional specializing in aesthetics.
However, some side effects may occur, such as a lot of redness in the treated area, itching and formation of blisters, which may indicate skin burns, which can happen when the equipment is not well calibrated.
In these cases, treatment must be suspended until the skin is intact again.
