The Benefits of IPL Facials
IPL can be used to revive the skin and remove unwanted hair. Using an IPL to rejuvenate the skin works by bypassing the epidermis and penetrating directly into the dermis to remove damaged skin cells, promote new ones, and stimulate new collagen growth with no downtime. IPL facials can also improve the signs of rosacea, sun damage, age spots, fine lines, blood vessels like broken capillaries or spider veins, hyperpigmentation and melasma, brown spots, and dark spots. Other benefits of an IPL facial include:- Improving the appearance of acne scars and acne
- Reducing the appearance of birthmarks
- Lessening broken blood vessels
- Lightening freckles
- Erasing spider veins
- Smoothing out stretch marks
- Improving the skin’s overall texture
- Eliminating the look of broken capillaries
- Collagen stimulation
IPL vs. Lasers and Other Treatments
IPL and lasers are similar, and IPL often gets categorized under the laser umbrella, but the two are different. A laser focuses just one wavelength of light onto the skin, while IPL releases light of many different wavelengths, like a photo flash. The pigmented cells in the skin absorb the light energy, which is then converted into heat. From there, the heat destroys the unwanted pigment to clear up freckles and spots. The heat also stimulates collagen under the skin to help improve lines, wrinkles, and overall texture. The light from IPL is less focused than a laser and penetrates down to the dermal layer of the skin without harming the top layer, so it causes less damage to your skin and has less downtime than a laser. IPL can be used anywhere on the body, but similar to a laser, it must be used cautiously on those with darker skin tones to prevent discoloration. Setting the device to the proper settings and having a thorough consultation to ensure you are a candidate for an IPL facial is imperative. IPL is also often compared to other popular skin-rejuvenating treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Whereas IPL relies on light to improve the skin, chemical peels utilize skin-safe exfoliating acids, and microdermabrasion uses a mechanical exfoliating machine with a specialized device. Both microdermabrasion and chemical peels can improve the skin’s tone and texture, similar to IPL, but they do so via surface exfoliation, whereas IPL corrects from the inside out. IPL is also a more effective and versatile option than other skin treatments, making it suitable for correcting different skin concerns with longer-lasting results than chemical peels and microdermabrasion. While IPL and microdermabrasion generally have no downtime, that’s necessarily the same for a chemical peel, which can cause you to hide out at home as the skin recovers, depending on the depth of the peel. Plus, the results of an IPL tend to be more dramatic than microdermabrasion but can be on par with a peel depending on the type of peel and acid used, the strength, and how deep it is delivered.Combining IPL with Other Skin Treatments
For some patients, combining IPL with other aesthetic or anti-aging treatments can give optimal results, which you can discuss with your provider during your consultation. Typical combination treatments include pairing IPL with radiofrequency (RF) therapies, Botox, fillers, chemical peels, and even microdermabrasion. Using IPL alongside a skin-tightening treatment that employs RF can help further collagen and elastin production, whereas using chemical peels or microdermabrasion with IPL can further improve the skin’s surface for a more even tone and texture. And if you benefit from a combo approach of IPL with Botox or filler, these additional treatments can help smooth out lines and wrinkles for a more youthful look. However, one thing to note is that combination procedures tend to be more costly than opting to do the treatment alone. While a coupled approach to aesthetics may be your best bet to help you reach your goals, you’ll also want to consider the added expense and make sure it works for your budget.Factors that Affect IPL Facial Costs
IPL facial cost can vary depending on several factors, such as:- The size of the treatment area
- The experience of the provider
- The technology of the laser used
- The number of sessions you need
- Additional treatments that are added on
The Recovery Timeline and Results
Patients return for IPL repeatedly because there’s no major downtime, so you can get the treatment and go about your day. However, it is important to know that the skin will go through the healing phase despite not looking red, oozy, or uncomfortable, which is the case with more ablative lasers. Here’s what to expect as your skin recovers from an IPL.- Day 1: The skin may look slightly pink or red, almost as if it is sunburned. There may be small blotchy areas, too.
- Days 2–3: The skin may feel a little tight and dry, and dark spots that look like coffee grounds will begin to form (they can easily be hidden with makeup).
- Day 4–6: The skin may become drier, and the dark spots start to slough off.
- Day 7–10: The skin will start to return to a more even tone and feel smooth to the touch
The Average Cost of an IPL Facial
An IPL facial treatment costs, on average, $300 to $600, depending on various factors, including the area size, number of sessions, and treatment type. A small area costs less to treat than a larger one or the entire face. Because IPL is considered a cosmetic procedure, most health insurance plans won’t cover the cost.Common Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of an IPL facial can vary based on several factors, including the size of the treatment, the number of sessions needed to achieve the desired results, the experience and expertise of the provider, and the geographic location can all influence the IPL facial cost.
When comparing IPL to other skincare treatments, it’s important to consider the most popular options in the aesthetic market, how they work, and their results. For example, injectables like Botox and fillers immediately improve wrinkles and volume loss, but their effects are temporary. Other skincare treatments like chemical peels or microneedling resurface the skin and stimulate new collagen production, helping to improve elasticity and reduce the signs of aging. Still, these treatments may be less targeted and precise than IPL and require a period of downtime, so all of those factors need to be considered when weighing skincare treatments vs. IPL facial costs.
IPL facial costs are pretty straightforward, and the price you are quoted per treatment session (or as a package) is what you should expect to pay. If topical numbing cream is used to help make the treatment more comfortable, there should not be a fee. However, if you are recommended to follow a specific post-treatment skincare routine, the cost of those products may not be covered in the price and may be additional.
You’ll want to start your search by asking friends and family for word-of-mouth referrals or researching online. Start by researching local medspas that offer IPL facials and look hard at the reviews, feedback, before-and-afters, and ratings. You’ll also want to ensure that the medspa you consider is licensed and certified to perform IPL facials. Reputable providers often list their qualifications and certifications on their websites. Book a consultation to understand the provider’s aesthetic and bedside manner to ensure it is the right fit. At this time, you can also get a detailed estimate of what the treatment will cost you.
After a consultation, your skin will be cleansed and prepped, and topical numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area, which will help make the IPL facial more comfortable. Protective eyewear will be placed over your eyes to help protect them from the light pulses. A handheld device will emit short pulses of light, which may feel a rubber band snapping quickly against the skin. Typically, a session lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
After an IPL facial, the skin may be slightly red or pink and feel warm to the touch, which subsides in a few hours. However, the skin needs to be well moisturized and protected from the sun with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and direct sunlight must be avoided since it will be more sensitive.
