IPL — intense pulsed light — is the workhorse treatment for the two things that most commonly make skin look older than its years: uneven pigmentation and redness. It is especially effective in autumn and winter, when sun exposure is low. At ELM Aesthetics IPL is carried out by Melody Steel, a Nurse Prescriber with over 19 years’ experience and a background in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery unit at St James’s Hospital.
How it works
IPL delivers pulses of filtered light across a range of wavelengths. Different wavelengths are absorbed by different targets: melanin in brown spots and freckles, and haemoglobin in thread veins and diffuse redness. The light heats and breaks down the target without harming the surrounding skin. Pigmentation darkens and flakes away over one to two weeks; vessels collapse and are reabsorbed. Because IPL also gently warms the dermis, it stimulates collagen too, improving overall tone and texture.
What it treats
- Sun damage, age spots and freckling on the face, neck, décolletage and hands
- Thread veins and broken capillaries
- Diffuse redness and flushing, including rosacea-related redness
- Uneven skin tone and a dull, weathered complexion
- Pigmentation and sun damage on body areas
What to expect
A cooling gel is applied and the handpiece is passed over the skin, delivering pulses that feel like a warm snap of an elastic band. Treatment takes 30 to 45 minutes for the full face. Afterwards the skin may be pink for a few hours; pigmented spots typically darken over the following days before flaking away. A course of three to four sessions, four weeks apart, gives the best results. Strict sun protection is essential before and after treatment.
Honest limitations
IPL is not suitable for tanned or darker skin types, where the light cannot distinguish target pigment from surrounding skin safely — this is assessed carefully at consultation and a patch test is required. It does not treat melasma reliably and can worsen it. It reduces rather than eliminates redness in rosacea, and new sun damage will continue to appear without protection. Results vary from person to person.
What it costs
Tailor-made course packages are available. A patch test is required. A deposit will be required to secure your appointment.
Your questions answered
Does IPL hurt?
Each pulse feels like a warm flick of an elastic band. Cooling gel helps, and most people find it very tolerable.
Why do my spots look darker afterwards?
That is the treatment working. The pigment is drawn to the surface, darkens for a few days, and then flakes away, leaving clearer skin beneath.
Can I have IPL in summer?
Only if you can avoid sun exposure completely before and after. Autumn and winter are the ideal seasons, which is why we recommend starting a course then.
Is IPL safe for dark skin?
IPL is generally not suitable for darker skin types or tanned skin. Melody will assess your skin type at consultation and recommend alternatives where appropriate.
How many sessions do I need?
Three to four sessions, four weeks apart, for most concerns; thread veins sometimes clear in fewer.