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IPL Photofacial
An IPL photofacial uses intense pulsed light to target sun damage, brown spots, visible veins and discoloration. Broad-spectrum light is absorbed by pigment and blood vessels and converted into heat, which clears the target while leaving surrounding skin unaffected. There is essentially no downtime.
How an IPL Photofacial Works
IPL delivers pulses of broad-spectrum light that are filtered to target specific structures in the skin. For pigmented lesions the target is melanin, and for vascular lesions it is oxyhemoglobin in the blood vessel. The light is absorbed by that target and converted into heat, which breaks it down while the surrounding tissue is left intact.
The system at Ultimate Image uses SmartPulse technology for consistent energy delivery, with a real-time cooling system that protects the surface of the skin throughout treatment.
Who an IPL Photofacial Is For
This treatment is built for tone rather than texture:
- Sun damage and brown spots
- Freckling and uneven pigment
- Visible veins and facial redness
- Overall dullness and blotchiness
Living in Florida, most patients accumulate more sun damage than they realize. IPL is one of the most direct ways to address it. Skin type matters, so your provider will confirm you are a good candidate before treating.
What to Expect
Treatment takes 20 to 30 minutes for a full face. You will wear protective eyewear. Each pulse feels like a quick snap of heat, moderated by the cooling system running on contact.
Expect some redness immediately afterward and, importantly, expect treated brown spots to look darker before they clear.
Aftercare
Redness settles within a few hours. Treated pigment darkens over the next day or two, then flakes away over roughly a week. Do not pick at it. Sun protection is not optional here, since sun exposure after IPL risks unwanted pigment.
Most patients need a series of three to five sessions spaced three to four weeks apart, then maintenance once or twice a year.
Session Length
20 to 30 minutes
Downtime
20 to 30 minutes
Session Count
Typically three to five, spaced three to four weeks apart
Results Timeline
Clearing over one to two weeks per session
Results Duration
Long lasting with sun protection and annual maintenance
Device or Brand
Venus Versa Pro IPL with SmartPulse
FDA Status
FDA cleared for treatment of benign pigmented and benign vascular lesions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my brown spots look darker afterward?
That is the expected response. Treated pigment rises to the surface, darkens, then flakes away over about a week. It is a sign the treatment worked.
How many sessions will I need?
Typically three to five spaced three to four weeks apart, depending on how much sun damage is present.
Can I have IPL in summer?
It is safest when you are not actively tanned and can commit to strict sun protection. Your provider will advise based on your recent sun exposure.
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Dr. Todd A. Besnoff, MD
Medical Director
Top Doctor in Tampa Bay
Dr. Besnoff has been referred to as one of the Top Doctors in Tampa Bay (as seen in the recent Tampa Bay Magazine Top Doctors issue) and Top 100 Aesthetic Provider in America! Dr. Besnoff has assisted and/or performed hundreds of thousands of surgical procedures since 1995 in specialties such as plastic surgery, gynecology, tissue donation and life-saving emergency treatments. In fact, Ultimate Image has been known to have performed more BOTOX® / Dysport® treatments in Tampa Bay than any other provider.