How Many IPL Treatments Do I Need to See Results?

Aging skin brings various cosmetic concerns that might make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. Perhaps you spent too much time outside without sunscreen and now have troubling sun damage, age spots, discoloration, and broken capillaries on your face, neck, chest, and hands.

At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, we offer an innovative technique called intense pulsed light therapy to help our patients turn back the clock and improve the look of their skin without the need for surgery.

What Is Intense Pulsed Light?

Intense pulsed light technology, or IPL, is a cutting-edge skin rejuvenation treatment. With IPL, we can provide you with a smooth, vibrant, and refreshed complexion, with only minor downtime. If you’re hoping to turn back the clock by improving your skin’s color, tone, and texture, IPL treatment might be ideal for you.

An IPL facial is a versatile, non-surgical treatment that is safe for all skin types. The device uses light energy to heat damaged skin cells deep within the dermis, leaving the top layer of skin untouched. IPL also jumpstarts new collagen production to enhance your skin’s resiliency and appearance.

IPL can benefit people who worry about flaws such as:

  • sun damage
  • freckles
  • enlarged pores
  • hyperpigmentation
  • rosacea
  • acne
  • fine lines
  • uneven skin texture

Whether you have a single complaint or would like to address several of these issues simultaneously, you may be an excellent candidate for this treatment.

What to Expect From IPL Treatments

IPL is a gentle, in-office procedure that lasts 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the targeted treatment area. Afterward, you can return to work and resume your usual daily activities. Though most patients find the sensation of the pulsing laser to be highly tolerable, you can request a topical anesthetic or cold compress if you are worried about pain.

The most common side effects of IPL are minor redness, bruising, and swelling, which typically resolve on their own within a couple of days. If you experience discomfort, it should be mild enough to manage with over-the-counter pain medication.

The results of IPL treatments are cumulative, which means you will need more than one session to attain your ideal appearance. Depending on your goals, we usually recommend four to six IPL appointments spaced four weeks apart. This timing will allow ample time for your body’s natural cell turnover process to occur.

IPL Photofacials in San Francisco

Are you ready to reclaim healthy, luminous skin? Non-invasive skin rejuvenation with an IPL facial can enhance your appearance and solve multiple skin issues without disrupting your busy lifestyle.

To learn more, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our office in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Our board-certified dermatologists take a team-oriented, patient-first approach that upholds our long history of collective wisdom and commitment to excellence. Please call us at (415) 362-2238 or fill out our online contact form, and our friendly staff will help you however we can.