Dr. Karen Horton has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Cosmetic concerns like dark spots on the skin and uneven skin texture can be difficult or impossible to treat with over-the-counter products. IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy can improve skin tone and texture by targeting the visible signs of photodamage. During an IPL treatment, a non-ablative (does not break the skin’s surface) light energy is directed at areas of red and brown pigmentation. These darker areas absorb light more quickly, and the laser breaks up pigmented cells without damaging nearby tissues.
A quick, non-invasive treatment performed in our office, IPL has many benefits:
We recommend you avoid prolonged, unprotected sun exposure for two weeks leading up to an IPL treatment. Please discontinue any prescription topical retinoids such as tretinoin for one week prior to treatment. It’s best to come to an IPL appointment with clean skin and no makeup.
During your treatment, a cooling gel will be applied to clean skin before the treatment to ensure your comfort. You will recline in a comfortable chair and protective eyewear will be applied. Patients do not commonly report that IPL treatment is painful, but you may feel some mild discomfort. One IPL session takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
Immediately following treatment, you may notice some redness or swelling of the treated area(s), but this should resolve quickly. Some patients, especially those with rosacea or broken capillaries, may experience bruising that may persist for 1-2 weeks following treatment. Within a few days of IPL treatment, you may notice that treated skin appears crusted or darker. This skin will soon peel away to reveal more even, youthful-looking skin.
While no downtime is usually needed after IPL treatment, we recommend you avoid prolonged sun exposure for a week after treatment and always protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. We also advise that you avoid exfoliating the treated area(s) for one full week after IPL.
IPL is a great way to treat skin discoloration. According to research, patients enjoy the following results after IPL:
If you are bothered by skin discoloration such as dark spots, sun damage, rosacea, or broken capillaries, you may benefit from intense pulsed light therapy. Patients with light to olive skin see the most pronounced results from IPL.
The cost of IPL differs for each patient, as it depends on the size of the treatment area and the number of treatments recommended. Please feel free to contact our office to schedule a consultation to learn more.
For more information on IPL treatments at our San Francisco Plastic Surgery office, please give us a call at (415) 923-3067.
1 Goldberg DJ. Current trends in intense pulsed light. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(6):45-53. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390232/. Accessed April 7, 2022.
2 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Aging Skin. Available: https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/laser-light-therapy/intense-pulsed-light-therapy-for-aging-skin. Accessed April 7, 2022.
3 Kulick MI. Photorejuvenation: using intense pulsed light technology in a cosmetic surgery practice. Aesthet Surg J. 2001 May;21(3):255-8. doi: 10.1067/maj.2001.116243. PMID: 19331901. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19331901/. Accessed April 7, 2022.
4 Hedelund L, Due E, Bjerring P, Wulf HC, Haedersdal M. Skin rejuvenation using intense pulsed light: a randomized controlled split-face trial with blinded response evaluation. Arch Dermatol. 2006 Aug;142(8):985-90. doi: 10.1001/archderm.142.8.985. PMID: 16924047. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16924047/. Accessed April 7, 2022.
Dr. Karen Horton has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Give us a call or fill out form below to schedule online.
Dr. Karen M. Horton
2100 Webster St UNIT 520
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415.923.3067
We are located in the Pacific Heights District in the Pacific Professional Building.
Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Monday:
9 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday:
9 AM to 5 PM
Wednesday:
9 AM to 5 PM
Thursday:
9 AM to 5 PM
Friday:
9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Dr. Karen M. Horton
2100 Webster St UNIT 520
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415.923.3067
We are located in the
Pacific Heights District
in the Pacific Professional Building.
SHOP SKIN CARE*Please note: Our office is no longer a Participating Provider for insurance. We can provide a financial quote for what anticipated surgical fees will be after your consultation.
