Home Treatments Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a versatile light-based treatment, which works somewhat differently to laser and consequently offers different treatment possibilities.

The main difference between lasers and IPL is that IPL emits light over a range or spectrum of wavelengths, whereas lasers have a single wavelength.

IPL can be used to treat :

  • Uwanted hair – this is probably the treatment for which IPL is most effective
  • Vascular lesions, such as port wine stain birthmarks
  • Poikiloderma of Civatte
  • Selected pigmented lesions,
  • Photorejuvenation of the skin.

IPL machines are very common in beauty therapy settings, as they are seen as safer than lasers and are often operated by under-trained staff, thanks to the pre-programmed settings most machines have, which make an easier job of determining settings for a given treatment.

However, there remains a significant risk of skin and eye damage when correct safety measures are not used. And, as with all laser and light-based therapies, there remains a risk of not recognising and investigating medically suspicious lesions (such as melanoma), if trained medical staff are not conducting the treatment.

At Neutral Bay Laser & Dermatology Clinic, the efficacy and safety of our treatments are our primary concerns. This is why only specialist medical staff and registered nurses carry out our treatments.