IPL Photofacial.Even tone.

What it is.

Intense Pulsed Light is broad-spectrum, non-laser light energy delivered in calibrated pulses. The light is preferentially absorbed by two chromophores in the skin: melanin (which gives sun spots and freckles their pigment) and hemoglobin (which gives broken capillaries and rosacea their redness). The targeted structures absorb the energy, heat up, and are disrupted; the surrounding skin is left unaffected.

Pigment lesions darken in the days after treatment, then flake off. Vascular lesions become less visible as the body clears the disrupted vessels. The result is a more even tone — the same skin, with the noise turned down.

What we treat.

• Sun spots & lentigines — the brown spots from accumulated UV exposure.
• Freckles — for clients who want them lightened (we discuss preserving them if you want them kept).
• Diffuse facial redness — early rosacea, persistent flush, sun-damage erythema.
• Broken capillaries — telangiectasia at the nasal alae, cheeks, and chin.
• Décolleté & hand pigmentation — sun-related discoloration in the most-exposed zones.
• Overall photoaging — the cumulative tone-evening that comes from a series, not a single visit.

What to expect.

An IPL appointment is 45–60 minutes. We apply a cooling gel and fit you with eye protection, then pass the IPL handpiece in overlapping segments. You'll feel quick warm snaps. Cool-air assist runs throughout.

Day-of: mild flushing and warmth. Day 1–2: pigment darkens to coffee-ground texture (this is the spots leaving — don't pick at them). Day 5–7: the darkened pigment flakes off and reveals more even skin underneath. This treatment is best scheduled October through April — sun avoidance for 4 weeks post is non-negotiable.

Appointment

45–60 min

Downtime

None visible

Series

3–5 sessions

Maintain

1–2× yearly

Results & cadence.

Best results from a series of 3–5 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart. After the initial series, most clients maintain with one or two sessions per year, usually scheduled in fall. Pairs naturally with Clear + Brilliant for compounding tone-evening and texture work in the same season.

Considerations.

IPL is not appropriate during active tan — light energy will be absorbed by tanned skin rather than spots, with risk of burn or pigment loss. Not appropriate for darker Fitzpatrick skin types (V–VI) without specialist consultation. We do not treat melasma with IPL — light-based devices typically worsen melasma; we use other approaches for that condition. IPL is deferred during pregnancy, on isotretinoin (Accutane) or within 6 months, with photosensitizing medications, and during active skin infection.

Who performs it.

IPL at Privé is performed by Devin Rogers, our Licensed Laser Technician and Laser Safety Officer, with energy and pulse parameters calibrated to your skin type and the chromophore being targeted.