Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) San Diego
What is IPL?
IPL, or intense pulsed light, is an advanced treatment that uses the restorative benefits of light waves to diminish skin concerns for a replenished look. Also known as a photofacial, it is a non-invasive and highly effective solution for promoting the look and overall health of your skin with minimal recovery time. Sun exposure and natural aging can take a toll on our skin. IPL laser treatments are an effective solution for targeting pigments and redness to stimulate skin regeneration.
What Can the Spectrum Laser/IPLTreat?
The versatile Spectrum can perform a wide range of aesthetic treatments, including:
- Skin resurfacing – Photofacials with our IPL removes the outermost damaged layers of skin, allowing new, healthier skin cells to take their place. This treatment can address common concerns such as dark spots, fine lines, and rough textured skin.
- Pigmented lesion removal – Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is often seen as the gold standard for the treatment of pigmented lesions such as sunspots. The light energy is absorbed by concentrated areas of melanin, which are then broken down by the body over time
- Acne treatment – IPL therapy can be used to eradicate the acne-causing bacteria and reduce the redness that comes with acne inflammation
- Hair removal – Unwanted hair, while troublesome, can, fortunately, be removed from almost any area of the body. The Spectrum Laser uses an 810nm diode laser to remove and permanently reduce body hair. The laser can be adjusted to allow for both small and large areas to be treated fast and effectively on all skin types.
- Tattoo removal – Thanks to advances in medical technology, tattoos aren’t as permanent as they used to be. If you’re experiencing regret over one or more tattoos, the Spectrum Q-switched laser can help you get rid of them for good. Laser tattoo removal works by targeting the pigment within the ink of your tattoos, allowing them to be broken down and absorbed by the body.
If you are interested in learning about more about possible treatment areas with the Spectrum, we will be more than happy to give you a summary of services upon your first visit to our board-certified plastic surgeons.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Skin Tone Correction: IPL can significantly reduce the appearance of sunspots, age spots, redness, and hyperpigmentation, resulting in a more uniform complexion.
- Enhanced Skin Texture: IPL treatments can improve the skin’s texture, reduce pore size, and diminish fine lines and wrinkles, helping to smooth out the skin’s appearance.
- Acne Management: IPL can reduce acne breakouts by targeting and destroying bacteria on the skin, as well as reduce the appearance of acne scars.
- Acne Scars: Scars left behind after acne, which can become less noticeable following IPL treatments due to enhanced skin texture and reduced redness.
- Collagen: A protein in the skin that provides structure and elasticity. IPL treatments can stimulate collagen production, leading to firmer and smoother skin.
- Downtime: The recovery period needed after a procedure. IPL treatments have minimal to no downtime, allowing patients to resume their normal activities shortly after.
- Hyperpigmentation: A condition where patches of skin become darker than surrounding areas due to excess melanin; IPL is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation spots.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): A technology used in cosmetic and medical procedures that emits multiple wavelengths of light to target various skin concerns without damaging the top layer of skin.
- Melanin: The pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. IPL targets melanin in dark spots and hair follicles for skin rejuvenation and hair removal treatments.
- Non-Invasive: Referring to treatments that do not require surgery or penetration below the skin’s surface. IPL is a non-invasive procedure.
- Non-Surgical: A term describing procedures that do not involve surgical incisions or removal of tissue. IPL is a non-surgical method for improving skin appearance.
- Photoaging: Skin damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation, leading to wrinkles, spots, and texture changes. IPL can reduce signs of photoaging.
- Photofacial: A skin treatment that uses IPL technology to treat various skin conditions, including sun damage, age spots, and rosacea, enhancing overall skin appearance.
- Photorejuvenation: The process of using light-based therapies, such as IPL, to rejuvenate the skin by treating conditions like sun damage, wrinkles, and texture irregularities.
- Pigmented Lesions: Skin abnormalities that are darker than the surrounding area due to excess melanin. IPL can lighten or remove pigmented lesions.
- Rosacea: A chronic skin condition that causes redness and swelling, primarily on the face. IPL can reduce the redness associated with rosacea.
- Spider Veins: Small, dilated blood vessels visible on the skin’s surface. IPL can diminish the appearance of spider veins by targeting the hemoglobin in the blood vessels.
- Vascular Lesions: Abnormalities related to blood vessels, such as spider veins and port-wine stains. IPL is used to reduce the appearance of these lesions.
“I have been going to Dr. Gallus since 2019 for treatments including Botox, fillers, IPL, and microneedling with radio frequency. My results since switching to Dr. Gallus have been better than my previous aesthetic doctor. I look much more natural and have very little, if any bruising after injectables. Also, I love the office staff! It’s a very down to earth, relaxed and fun atmosphere.”
—Actual patient of Dr. Gallus
Am I a Good Candidate for Spectrum IPL?
Am I a Good Candidate for Spectrum IPL?Candidacy will depend on the exact treatment you are looking to undergo and your skin type. Treatments take place in office with either cryocooling or numbing cream applied for comfort. Most treatments last about 30 minutes with results that are noticeable following each session. Your skin may be red and warm after treatment for 1-3 days and areas of pigmentation may flake more than the surrounding skin. Depending on the current condition of your skin, a series of 3-5 treatments are suggested for optimal results. We recommend avoiding sun exposure immediately before and after treatments for the best healing.
Do IPL treatments hurt?
Most of our patients report the discomfort from their IPL treatments as being very minimal. We can apply a numbing cream before the treatment begins, cooling air during the treatment, and cooling ice packs after to minimize any discomfort. We also offer Pro-Nox, a patient-controlled pain management system that allows you to administer your own pain relief during your IPL treatment. Learn more about Pro-Nox here»
Dr. Katerina Gallus
Female Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Gallus has over 20 years of experience and is a fully credentialed, board certified plastic surgeon. She will partner with you to develop a tailored surgical plan that prioritizes your safety and results.
Learn More About Spectrum Laser IPL at Restore SD in San Diego
Most anyone who is experiencing damaged or dull skin could benefit from IPL treatments. If you are unsatisfied by the tone and texture of your skin, you could benefit from a series of photofacials customized to your skin concerns. The best way to determine if you are a proper candidate is through a consultation with our female board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Katerina Gallus.
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, we are proud to serve San Diego and the surrounding area with aesthetic services catered directly to your needs. If you’re ready to find out how the Spectrum Laser/IPL System can help you, book your first appointment online or call us at (858) 224-2281 today.
Call to schedule your complimentary consult today »
References »
Gade A, Vasile GF, Rubenstein R. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy. 2023 Apr 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–.
Goldberg DJ. Current trends in intense pulsed light. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Jun;5(6):45-53. PMID: 22768357; PMCID: PMC3390232.
Cai Y, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Xiang W. Intense pulsed light treatment for inflammatory skin diseases: a review. Lasers in Medical Science. 2022 Oct;37(8):3085-3105. doi: 10.1007/s10103-022-03620-1.
Monib KME, Hussein MS. Nd:YAG laser vs IPL in inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesion treatment. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020 Sep;19(9):2325-2332. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13278.
Handler MZ, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. IPL vs PDL in treatment of facial erythema: A split-face study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2017 Dec;16(4):450-453. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12365.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katerina Gallus — Updated on Dec 10, 2024
