When you look in the mirror, do you see blotchy redness, brown spots, or broken capillaries?
Do you hesitate to leave the house without makeup because of it?
If your answer was yes, you're not alone. These are some of the most common skin concerns we hear about every day—discoloration, redness, dullness, and uneven skin tone.
That’s why we love the IPL Photofacial.
This glow-boosting treatment is one of the best options for clearer, brighter, more even-looking skin, without the downtime of more aggressive procedures. Whether your skin is dealing with sun damage, rosacea flare-ups, or stubborn pigmentation, an IPL treatment can help you feel confident going makeup-free again.
Let’s break down what it is, how it works, and what you can expect.
IPL (short for Intense Pulsed Light), also known as IPL Photofacial, IPL treatment, or Broadband Light (BBL), is a non-invasive light-based treatment that targets unwanted pigment and redness in the skin.
Most clients who receive IPL treatment come in seeking a solution for blotchy, uneven skin tone caused by age spots, sun damage, or redness on their face, neck, chest, or the backs of their hands.
IPL is a non-ablative procedure (meaning it doesn’t remove or damage the skin's surface). An IPL photofacial works beneath the surface to improve tone and clarity—making it a popular choice for people who want noticeable results without a long recovery.
If you've ever described your skin as muddy, blotchy, uneven, spotty, or veiny, you're exactly the kind of person who tends to love IPL. Simply put, an IPL treatment treats the unwanted "reds and browns" that dull your complexion. It's used to improve:
Here's the simple version:
Most people require three sessions of IPL to achieve ideal results. However, it varies from person to person. Some clients come in to treat a few relatively new spots while others seek help after years of sun damage and build-up—the number of sessions their skin requires will differ.
The good news is that an IPL treatment is quick, straightforward, and totally doable on a lunch break (yes, really).
Here's what to expect:
We’ll be honest: you’ll feel it—but most people tolerate it very well. Patients compare the sensation of IPL light pulses to a small snap of a warm rubber band. The sensation is slightly uncomfortable rather than painful. Areas with more facial hair will feel a stronger sensation because hair follicles also absorb the light energy.
Although our patients tolerate the treatment very well with minimal discomfort, we offer an iced facial roller for anyone who would like one.
Some patients ask whether we can numb the treatment area. We don’t use topical numbing cream for IPL because it interferes with the laser’s effectiveness.
One of the biggest perks of an IPL photofacial is that there’s little to no downtime.
It doesn’t damage the skin's surface, so there is no wound care or peeling, and you can wear makeup and other topical products post-treatment. Right after treatment, your skin may look:
It's totally normal for brown spots to look darker for a few days after your IPL treatment.
We call this the "coffee grounds" phase because they often resemble tiny specks of espresso dust on the skin. (Not glamorous, but very temporary.)
Those spots will gradually flake off and fade as the skin renews itself. Larger, darker areas may take more than one treatment to disappear completely, but they will lighten with each treatment.
When targeting red areas, the skin may appear flushed for 1 to 3 days. In some cases, visible blood vessels may appear slightly bruised or swollen before resolving.
Most people see the best results with a series of treatments. A typical plan is:
Some patients only need a few sessions for newer sunspots, while others may need more if they’re treating years of sun damage or stubborn redness.
Melasma can be trickier and often requires a more customized plan with additional sessions. In those cases, we may recommend prepping the skin with medical-grade skincare first for better results.
The results you’ll achieve with IPL are permanent. But IPL cannot stop aging, the normal hormonal process, or sun damage, so it’s important that you take steps to prevent and mitigate further damage.
We recommend IPL treatments for yearly maintenance, in conjunction with proper skincare and a healthy lifestyle. (Psst—our estheticians can create a personalized skincare routine tailored to your skin’s needs. #shamelessplug)
IPL is a safe and trusted treatment. The first IPL device was approved by the FDA in 1995; it has a long track record and is supported by numerous patient testimonials and clinical studies. If you’d like to see some real-life before-and-after photos of IPL results from our clients, visit the IPL Photofacial treatment page.
IPL is very safe in the right hands, but it isn’t the best choice for everyone. IPL works by heating targeted pigment in the skin, which means the risk of burning increases for people with:
IPL tends to work best on fair to medium skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin types 1–3).
This is why it’s so important to get IPL from a licensed, trained professional who understands skin safety—not just someone with a machine.
Ready to Love Your Skin Without Makeup?
If you’re tired of covering up redness, sunspots, or uneven tone… an IPL photofacial might be exactly what your skin has been waiting for.
Let’s figure out the best plan for your skin goals with a free consultation at our El Dorado Hills, Sacramento, or Rocklin locations. Call 916-941-9400 to book now.
