Does IPL photofacial treat sun-damaged skin?

Intense pulsed light delivers selected light wavelengths to pigment and small surface blood vessels. A clinician may use it when photoaging appears as scattered brown spots, uneven tone, or diffuse redness. Texture changes such as fine lines, roughness, or deeper wrinkles may need a different approach. A darker or recently tanned complexion can change the safety considerations, so the treatment settings and suitability need an in-person assessment.

Improvement is gradual as treated pigment becomes less noticeable and the skin settles. New sun exposure can bring colour changes back or create new spots, so treatment works alongside daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade, and protective clothing.

Share your usual skincare products, medicines, history of cold sores, tendency to form raised scars, and any recent tanning with the clinician. Follow the clinic's instructions about sun avoidance and products that may irritate the skin. After treatment, mild warmth or redness can occur; use gentle skincare and do not pick or scrub the area while it settles.

Contact the treating clinic if redness, swelling, blistering, crusting, or pain is worsening rather than settling. Arrange a skin assessment before treating a spot that is changing in size, shape, colour, or sensation, because not every pigmented mark is simple photoaging.

Ask which colour and texture changes IPL is expected to address, whether another treatment is more appropriate for fine lines, and how your skin tone, tanning history, and medicines affect the plan.