Acne is a disorder that affects the skin’s oil glands and hair follicles. To treat acne, specific wavelengths of light target bacteria in the skin, as well as inflamed sebaceous glands that contribute to breakouts. IPL Intense Pulsed Light device energy at various wavelengths is also used to selectively destroy pigment cells, blood-filled capillary veins, or hair, depending on the intended nature of your treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Treatments are becoming widely recognized as an effective solution for those suffering from mild to moderate inflammatory acne.
How IPL Treatments Work
During IPL treatments, short pulses of intense light are emitted from an applicator onto your skin. To treat acne, specific wavelengths of light target bacteria in the skin, as well as inflamed sebaceous glands that contribute to breakouts.
When your skin absorbs the light energy, it heats up and you will experience a brief, pinprick sensation. A layer of chilled gel applied before treatment helps to ease the discomfort, and as each individual pulse of light can treat a generous area of skin, IPL treatments are generally quite short. A typical session ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, and most patients require between four and six sessions to achieve the desired results.
The Benefits of IPL for Acne Scars
Acne scarring can affect both the color and texture of the skin. Scars may appear as small dents in the skin’s surface or as raised scar tissue. In either case, scarring often creates uneven pigmentation in the form of redness or dark spots. Because Intense Pulsed Light can target pigment cells specifically, IPL treatments are effective for evening out discoloration, which dramatically reduces the visibility of acne scars and gives the appearance of a more uniform skin surface. IPL does not smooth out raised scars or decrease the depth of indented scars.
Number of Sessions and Treatment Intervals:
Twice weekly sessions for 4 weeks is recommended. More session may be required. Maintenance session may be required every 6 weeks to three months.