Every patient is different and has different skin concerns, but on average, the benefits of the treatment are obtained with two to five treatments. IPL laser facials should be spaced about six weeks apart so the skin can take advantage of the treatment and allow unwanted pigment to be eradicated appropriately. Then, after the entire course of treatment is complete, you may be recommended maintenance treatments to keep the skin looking fresh.

There’s no downtime or recovery period with IPL treatments, but you’ll need to follow specific skin to help your skin heal.

Immediately after an IPL treatment, the skin may be flushed and pink, almost how it looks after a mild sunburn, which will subside in the coming hours. The skin may also feel dry, tender, raw, or almost like sandpaper, which is normal. It’s important to keep the skin well-hydrated with a basic moisturizer and protected from the sun as it heals. The treated areas will turn brown and look like little spots, and the skin will likely feel rough as the discoloration comes to the surface. Rather than picking, scratching, or trying to exfoliate off the skin, it’s best to let the skin heal and allow the treated areas to shed themselves. Accelerating the shedding part of the treatment can cause the skin to scar and compromise the results.

There’s not much to do to prep your skin for the treatment, but you’ll need to avoid a few things. The skin should be treated in its natural state and color, so that means no tanning before getting an IPL (the same goes for applying self-tanner). It’s also best to stop using retinols or retinoids for a week before your IPL Photo Facial so the skin is less irritated and compromised and better equipped to rebound.

On the day of your appointment, come with clean, bare skin free of any moisturizers or facial oils, and avoid wearing fragrances or fragranced skincare or body products that can potentially interact with the IPL device.

IPL Photo Facials are always safer for lighter skin types, but it is possible to treat darker skin tones as long the proper precautions are taken. Since IPL treatments target melanin, the provider must understand the appropriate way to perform the treatment to avoid any complications, especially since pigment issues, like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scars, and blisters, have the potential to arise in darker skin tones. 

Since the skin may be sensitive following an IPL Photo Facial, it’s best to stick to a bland and gentle skincare routine for about one week. Cleanse the skin with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water, and avoid any skincare products with benzoyl peroxide, retinol, glycolic acids, or other exfoliating acids or exfoliators in general. Apply a light moisturizer to the skin and wear an SPF of at least 30 daily.