Intense pulsed light therapy is a noninvasive procedure commonly used to improve the appearance of the skin. Often referred to as simply IPL, it's a form of photorejuvenation therapy where intense pulses of light are directed over areas of the skin to correct imperfections. Thought IPL therapy is frequently used to remove unwanted hair, spider veins and wrinkles, it can also reduce the signs of dark spots, also known as age spots or liver spots, that can develop on the skin.
Dark Spots
When your skin is exposed to the sun, the body begins to produce more melanin, which is the substance responsible for pigmentation and causes your skin to darken. The darkening in pigmentation is the body's way to protect your skin from the sun, according to the National Institutes of Health. As you continue to expose yourself to the UV rays, some of this melanin can begin to bunch together. Over time, this clustering of melanin results in the dark spots that comes with age.
IPL
The way in which intense pulsed light therapy works on age spots is that the intense pulses of light are quickly absorbed by the melanocytes, which are the cells that make up the melanin. As these cells soak up the light energy, they begin to raise the temperature of the age spots. This heat destroys the melanin and causes it to disperse, fading the dark spots on the skin.
Time Frame
Though the darkness and number of age spots varies greatly among people, the New Zealand Dermatological Society states that most IPL sessions are no more than 20 minutes in length. For most people, it will take a number of sessions to fully improve the appearance of the skin, averaging anywhere between four to six sessions, spaced three to six weeks apart.
Benefits
While the most obvious benefit to IPL therapy is reducing the appearance of age spots, there are other benefits that aren't as apparent. Since the intense pulses of light are mostly absorbed by the dermis, which is the deeper layer of your skin, there isn't as great a risk of scarring. IPL also has a fairly short recovery time. As soon as you complete a session, you can usually return to your regular activities.
Effects
Intense pulsed light therapy isn't without its potential side effects. Some people experience a certain amount of pain or discomfort during the procedure itself. Others may find a little temporary discoloration along the area that was just treated. It's also possible to suffer from some redness and swelling for a few days after an IPL session. You may even notice hair loss in the treated areas.
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