What should you know about the glass IPL photofacial?

Intense pulsed light is not a laser. It sends a range of light wavelengths into the skin, where selected pigments and blood vessels absorb the energy. This can soften the appearance of sun spots, diffuse redness and uneven tone. The treatment does not diagnose a changing mole or remove every cause of facial flushing. A clinician may recommend another option, such as a picosecond laser, when the colour, depth or diagnosis calls for a different approach.

A consultation should cover recent tanning, skin sensitivity, medications, cold-sore history and the area being treated. Avoid tanning and follow the clinic’s instructions about products before the appointment. Wear the supplied eye protection. Afterwards, the skin may feel warm and treated pigment can look temporarily darker before it fades. Use gentle cleansing, moisturiser and diligent sun protection; do not pick, scrub or deliberately expose the area to heat while it recovers.

Tell the clinic about blistering, severe pain, spreading swelling, pus, fever or redness that keeps worsening. Seek urgent help for facial swelling with breathing difficulty. A dark or irregular lesion should be assessed before cosmetic light treatment rather than treated on appearance alone.

Ask whether your redness or pigmentation is suitable for IPL, what device and filters will be used, how your skin tone changes the plan, and which skincare products to pause. Request clear instructions for sun protection and follow-up.