Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in La Jolla, San Diego, Newport Beach and Beverly Hills

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Dr. Susan Stuart

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a photorejuvenation treatment that renews your skin with broad-spectrum light waves. This non-invasive treatment increases your skin’s levels of collagen and elastin–proteins that help your skin maintain its structure and elasticity–to address signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. IPL is clinically proven to enhance the tone, texture, and quality of your skin with targeted beams of energy. (1) This treatment can help you achieve a more youthful-looking appearance without the long recovery time of traditional skin rejuvenation treatments.

At La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, we specialize in the most innovative skin rejuvenation and hair restoration treatments. Our team is world-renowned for helping patients address signs of aging with customizable therapies that provide long-lasting, natural-looking results. Dr. Susan Stuart, a board-certified dermatologist and is a leader in the industry with more than 30 years.

Dr. Susan Stuart is world-renowned and frequently sought after for her industry-leading expertise. After receiving her training at Emory University, one of the top dermatology training facilities in the United States, she worked with national hair loss specialists to further develop her expertise. She is well known for consistently delivering high-quality care to her patients and offering innovative treatments designed to improve her patients’ confidence and quality of life.

Contact our office online today to learn more about how IPL treatments can transform your appearance for a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion. If you have any questions, please feel free to call any of our Southern California offices:

About Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Aging, weight fluctuations, and hormonal changes can affect the quality of your skin. Acne, a common condition that affects approximately 40% of adults, (2) can result in discoloration and painful inflammation that can affect your self-esteem. Sun exposure can also damage your skin and cause it to age prematurely (photoaging), leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and a rough skin texture. With IPL treatments, we can address multiple areas of the body, including the hands, face, neck, and chest to help you diminish signs of aging. IPL treatments can address multiple skin concerns during a single appointment, including:

  • Acne
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Sun damage
  • Scars
  • Wrinkles
  • Fine lines
  • Unwanted hair growth
  • Age spots

In a recent study, patients who received IPL treatments noticed an 80-90% improvement in the appearance of vascular skin conditions. (3) Do not wait to improve your skin with customizable treatments. Contact our office online or call one of our Southern California offices to learn more:

Intense Pulsed Light Benefits

IPL treatments offer several benefits for patients:

  • Well-tolerated treatment: The gentle laser energy penetrates the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production for lasting results.
  • Minimal downtime: You can return to most of your normal activities afterward as long as you avoid excessive sun exposure and strenuous activities.
  • Smoother skin: If you take good care of your skin, you can enjoy a lasting, significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Reduced pore size: The laser energy can reduce the size of your pores for a smoother appearance.
  • Natural-looking results: Increasing your skin’s collagen levels can rejuvenate your skin.

Candidates & Consultation

Suitable candidates for IPL treatments would like to diminish signs of aging, and achieve a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. Candidates for IPL treatments must take good care of their skin and have realistic expectations about what they can achieve with the treatment.

During your consultation, we will ask about your aesthetic goals, current medications, and lifestyle to determine the most effective treatment for your needs. Depending on the condition of your skin, you may need several treatments to achieve your aesthetic goals.

If you have additional goals, we can also include other treatments in your plan to help you achieve them. We offer several innovative cosmetic dermatology treatments to help you diminish signs of aging and rejuvenate your skin.

To learn more about the additional treatments we offer, read the blog!

Preparation & Treatment Process

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) La Jolla Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Dr. Susan Stuart

To prepare for IPL treatments, you should take good care of your skin in the weeks leading up to your appointment. You must stop using products that contain retinol and refrain from harsh medspa treatments.

During an IPL treatment, we cleanse your skin and apply a topical anesthetic. Next, we will apply a conductive gel and use a hand-held device to deliver pulses of laser energy to the skin in an even pattern. The laser energy administers heat to the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production.

After Your Treatment

After your treatment, you should avoid excessive sun exposure. You may notice temporary puffiness or peeling for a few days afterward. You should use sunscreen and moisturizer to protect your skin after your treatment. We will provide specific instructions to help you care for your skin for the best results.

Results

Your results will depend on your personalized treatment plan. After an IPL treatment, you can enjoy smoother, more youthful-looking skin. Many patients notice a reduction in redness, pore size, and signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. You can enjoy continuous improvements over time as the collagen gradually refreshes your appearance.

Additional MedSpa Procedures

Botox

Botox is an injectable that reduces repetitive muscle movements that wear on the skin for a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. As you age and your collagen levels decline, it is common to experience fine lines that develop into deep wrinkles, especially when repetitive facial expressions wear on the skin. With a minimally invasive injectable, we can reduce signs of aging for natural-looking results. The formula limits acetylcholine–a hormone and neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contractions. Since we can administer the formula directly into the muscle, you will not need to worry about a frozen appearance.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers add natural-looking volume to your skin. Volume loss is a common concern from aging and weight fluctuations. If you have noticed volume loss affecting your cheeks, lips, and/or temples, we can restore it with a flexible formula that provides natural-looking volume. We can also improve the appearance of under-eye hollows, which can make you appear tired. With a minimally invasive injectable that moves fluidly with your natural facial expressions, we can restore volume to your skin.

Laser Treatments

Laser treatments increase your skin’s collagen levels for a smoother, brighter appearance. Whether you are experiencing discoloration, uneven skin tone, or signs of facial aging, we can improve your skin’s appearance with gentle laser energy and resurface your skin to remove damaged skin cells. Afterward, you can enjoy a smoother appearance.

The Cost of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in San Diego

IPL treatments can help you improve the quality of your skin. You may need multiple sessions to achieve your desired results, and we can provide an all-inclusive price quote during your consultation.

Contact our office online today to learn more, or call any of our offices:

FAQ

Is an IPL treatment painful?

IPL treatments are generally well-tolerated, but you may experience a slightly warm sensation. We can apply a topical numbing solution if you have very sensitive skin.

How long will the results of IPL last?

If you take good care of your skin, you can enjoy long-lasting results. Using sunscreen and products for your skin type can also help you maintain healthy skin.

Will I need more than one IPL treatment?

The number of treatments you need will depend on the condition of your skin.

Can I combine IPL with other treatments?

Yes, the treatment is customizable, and we can adjust your routine as needed to help you improve your skin.

References

  1. Hisham Shokeir, Ahmed El Bedewi, Sayed SS, Ghada El Khalafawy. Efficacy of pulsed dye laser versus intense pulsed light in the treatment of striae distensae. 2014;40(6):632-640. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/dsu.0000000000000007
  2. Szepietowska M, Bień B, Krajewski P, Stefaniak A, Matusiak Ł. Prevalence, Intensity and Psychosocial Burden of Acne Itch: Two Different Cohorts Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023;12(12):3997-3997. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12123997
  3. Wu X, Wang X, Wu X, et al. Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Improves Acne-Induced Post-inflammatory Erythema and Hyperpigmentation: A Retrospective Study in Chinese Patients. Dermatology and Therapy. 2022;12(5):1147-1156. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-022-00719-9