Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-invasive, non-ablative form of laser skin rejuvenation. As one of the first types of laser skin therapy, IPL has become a go-to treatment for countless patients looking to correct a wide array of skin blemishes. These range from rosacea redness to age-related issues such as brown spots and broken blood vessels. While IPL is certainly one of the most popular skin rejuvenation treatments available, no two treatment strategies are the same.
Understanding IPL Treatment Frequency
The number of sessions necessary for IPL treatments depends on several important factors, starting with each individual’s cosmetic needs and goals. When IPL is being used to target dramatic pigmentation differences such as brown age spots or melasma, it can take up to six sessions to eliminate excess pigment in deeper layers of skin. The number of treatment sessions and skin concerns can also dictate the frequency and timing of treatment.
Recommended Session Intervals
Most patients are recommended to undergo at least three sessions of IPL therapy scheduled at four-week intervals. While the four-week intervals may seem arbitrary, they are in fact specifically timed to match the skin’s natural regeneration process. On average, most patients’ skin cells grow and die within a 30-day window.
Some sources suggest that treatments are typically spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart. For optimal results from IPL therapy, it is recommended that patients undergo 5 IPL treatments, performed 4 weeks apart. This is because each treatment builds upon the next one, allowing for gradual treatment and monitoring of the skin's reaction. The Lumenis M22 IPL machine, for example, allows for toggling settings to reach pigmentation and blood vessels at different depths of skin, enabling targeted treatment with each session. The 4-week interval is chosen because skin cells turn over approximately every 30 days, allowing the skin sufficient time to recover and return to its normal state before the next treatment.
Factors Influencing Treatment Frequency
The ideal frequency of getting an IPL photofacial can vary based on your skin type, concerns, and recommendations from your dermatologist. Treatment sessions are usually 3 weeks apart, but this can vary based on the area and individual needs. The time between treatments gives your skin time to recover and respond to the changes induced by the IPL treatment. If you’re dealing with stubborn pigmentation, your dermatologist might recommend more frequent sessions initially, gradually tapering off as you achieve the desired results.
The frequency of your IPL photofacials can depend on several factors, such as your skin type, the severity of your skin issues, and your personal goals. However, everyone’s skin is different and may respond differently to IPL photofacials.
What to Expect During and After IPL Treatment
If you’re investing in Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments for acne, understanding the expected results-and when you will see them-is crucial. Immediately following the session, your skin may feel warm and look slightly red, similar to a mild sunburn. This temporary redness usually subsides within a few hours.
Immediate Post-Treatment Effects
- Skin Reaction: Immediately following the session, your skin may feel warm and look slightly red, similar to a mild sunburn. This temporary redness usually subsides within a few hours.
- Lesion Darkening: Active acne lesions, red marks, and any pigmented spots will often appear darker or more prominent (sometimes described as “coffee grounds”).
- Shedding of Pigment: The darkened spots and post-acne pigmentation will naturally crust and flake off.
Longer-Term Results and Skin Texture
Texture Refinement: By stimulating new collagen production, IPL helps to smooth minor textural irregularities and give the skin a firmer, more resilient quality. Generally, results are noticeable within a week to 10 days. While results can last 1-4 years, they can also differ based on your skincare routine.
IPL vs. Laser Treatments
Both IPL and laser treatments can be used to improve a variety of skin issues. The main difference is that IPL therapy is gentler on the skin and usually requires more sessions than laser therapy for comparable results. Laser treatment is more intense and recovery is longer, but it can achieve more noticeable results from fewer procedures. However, unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light, allowing IPL to treat a range of skin conditions at the same time. Certain skin issues may respond better to IPL or laser, and your dermatologist can tell you which one is a better match for your needs.
IPL uses light energy to target specific colors in your skin. When the skin is heated, your body gets rid of the unwanted cells, and that gets rid of the issue you’re being treated for. It can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time. After IPL, you may look younger because your skin tone is more even. And since the light doesn’t hurt other tissue, you can recover quickly.
Who is a Good Candidate for IPL?
IPL (intense pulsed light) photofacials can benefit people who want to rejuvenate their skin and say goodbye to redness, age spots, and pigmentation. It works best if you have pale or light brown skin. Talk to your dermatologist if you want to lessen or get rid of: acne, birthmarks, stretch marks, liver or age spots, broken blood vessels, brown spots (also called liver or age spots), dark spots from hormonal changes, discolored skin, fine wrinkles, freckles, redness from rosacea, scars, spider veins, and unwanted hair.
When IPL May Not Be Recommended
You should consult with a qualified and trained professional, as IPL treatment is not right for everyone. Talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant, have a skin condition, have a sunburn, or take medication for other conditions such as blood thinners or the acne drug isotretinoin (Accutane). IPL isn’t a good idea if you are sensitive to light, have recently tanned your skin using sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning creams, might have skin cancer, use a retinoid cream, are very dark-skinned, have a skin resurfacing disorder, have severe scarring, or have keloid scar tissue.
If patients have tanning, they need to wait until the pigment is reduced or completely removed before an IPL photofacial treatment. IPL photofacial isn’t recommended for people with a higher melanin index, those taking Accutane, or individuals with a moderate or severe acne breakout.
The many benefits of IPL Photofacials
IPL for Specific Concerns
Acne and Acne Scarring
IPL may help if you have acne or the scarring it causes. Research is ongoing, but you are likely to have a significant reduction in acne symptoms, with over 90% of people seeing positive results with IPL. You may need multiple sessions to notice a difference.
Redness and Rosacea
Red areas on the face typically are caused by vascular issues, meaning tiny blood vessels are visible on the surface of the skin. These vascular areas can be caused by genetics, aging, lifestyle choices (sun, smoking, alcohol use), or trauma to the skin. Rosacea is a skin condition that can cause redness, and IPL can help improve the redness associated with it. After one to three treatments, light therapy can get rid of 50%-75% of broken blood vessels for most people; they could completely go away. While treated veins don’t come back, new ones might show up later.
Pigmentation and Sun Damage
IPL treatments work on both brown and red areas of the skin. Brown spots on the skin (known as “sun spots” or “age spots”) occur because under the skin there are cells called melanocytes. IPL helps treat these brown spots by selectively heating up the pigment, then lifting that heated area to the surface of the skin where it is removed by the body’s natural exfoliation process. The brown spots that have been effectively treated typically will get darker initially over the next 24 hours, then slowly fade away over the next 1-2 weeks. You may see a 70% reduction in brown spots and redness caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Maintenance and Longevity of Results
Patients often ask, “Are the results from IPL permanent?” The answer is “Yes and no.” We are constantly aging, and even despite our best attempts at sun protection, most of us still get incidental sun exposure. Treated brown spots can return if whatever caused them in the first place (sun, age) recurs. For that reason, we recommend completing a series of 5 treatments, and then getting a “touch up” treatment once a year in the winter to remove some of the signs of sun damage and aging that may have accumulated over the past year. Sometimes a specific brown spot that resolved with IPL treatment may come back months or years later. This does not mean the treatment did not work, but rather, the treatment worked and the spot returned due to aging and lifestyle factors, and it should respond well to another treatment.
Skin improvements often last 6 months to 1 year. Doing more treatments can help you keep your results. Most patients benefit from follow-up treatments every 6 to 12 months, depending on how well their skin responds and how much sun exposure they experience.
Safety and Potential Side Effects
Is IPL Safe?
Research shows that IPL is safe and does not cause cancer. IPL has been used for over 30 years without raising concerns about increasing the risk of skin or other types of cancer. However, IPL treatment is safe when done by a trained technician. It could cause hormonal brown spots to flare up, and you could have other unwanted side effects.
Potential Side Effects
Your skin could scar, hurt, swell, bleed, change color, get crusty, or blister. Talk to your dermatologist if you feel sick after your treatment or your symptoms get worse. Side effects of IPL hair removal may include skin sensitivity, mild discomfort or pain (stinging, sunburn sensation), and skin discoloration (slight redness). Less commonly, skin may become infected. In rare cases, skin may blister or scar, particularly for those with sensitive skin.
Cost and Other Treatment Options
Cost of IPL Treatments
These procedures aren’t cheap. In 2025, the average fee was between $300 and $600 per session. Usually, cosmetic procedures aren’t covered by insurance. Ask your dermatology clinic if it offers a payment plan. Some practices also offer discounts with the purchase of multiple sessions.
Alternative Skin Treatments
Other options that may also treat your skin spots, fine lines, and redness include: Microdermabrasion, Chemical peels, Laser resurfacing, and Fraxel laser treatment.