Intense Pulse Light in Orange County & Newport Beach

Patient Specific Questions | FAQ

Intense Pulse Light Overview

Procedure: a) Reduction of blemishes, acne scars and a variety of other unwanted skin problems or b) removal of unwanted hair by non-invasive delivery of intense pulses of light to superficial and deep layers of the skin in 4 to 6 treatment sessions.

Length: Each session takes about 10 minutes to 30 minutes.

Anesthesia: Most patients do not require anesthesia, but a topical anesthetic may be applied.

Place of Treatment: A physician’s office-based facility.

Recovery: Patients are recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for 2 weeks and should avoid strenuous activity such as exercising for the first 36 hours after IPL therapy.  Most patients can resume normal activity immediately after treatment.

Duration of Results: If patients keep their skin well protected from the sun and receive a full series of treatments, the results of photo rejuvenation can last up to 1 year.  IPL therapy for unwanted hair results in permanent reduction of hair density.

Side Effects: Side effects are events that may be experienced by patients as a result of your surgery and should not be considered adverse events. Our patients are counseled regarding these effects and if experienced they are tolerable and often temporary in duration.

  1. Swelling: Patients may experience mild swelling and some redness after IPL treatment that usually subsides within a few days.
  2. Blistering: Some patients may have blistering in the treated area after IPL therapy.
  3. Hyper/hypo-pigmentation: Hyper/hypo-pigmentation (darkened/lightened skin color) may occur for some patients and last between 3 to 12 months after IPL treatment.  Permanent changes in skin pigmentation only happen in rare cases.

Risks: Risks are unwanted events that may occur during or following surgery. These events are recognized as “complications” but their occurrence is minimized by appropriate patient selection, proper surgical decision making, effective surgical technique, and thorough preoperative and postoperative patient management.

  1. Scarring: Blistering and slight bleeding may occur in some patients.  Although rare, blistering and bleeding may lead to permanent scarring in rare cases.