Every one of us has some kind of excessive melanin production that shows up as dark spots on our skin. As a result, affected areas of skin will look noticeably darker than the surrounding area. There are three primary categories of dark spots:

1. birthmarks, present at birth
2. liver spots caused by too much sun exposure
3. melasma is frequent in pregnant women and women taking birth control pills.

For women who want a clear, even complexion, dark spots can be bothersome and a sign of aging. Fortunately, treatments are available to help reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Skin-lightening creams with hydroquinone can help stop melanin from being made, and chemical peels can help remove dead skin and make brown spots less noticeable. These treatments can provide temporary or long-term results, depending on how long the product is used.

When getting rid of age spots and other discolorations on the skin, IPL treatment is the way to go. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a new non-invasive treatment that effectively eliminates dark spots, redness, and blotchiness.

IPL treatment is often used for anti-aging and skin discoloration because it has few bad side effects. By treating the underlying causes of brown and dark spots, IPL treatment will help you get a more even skin tone and a more youthful glow.

What is an IPL Treatment?

IPL treatment is a light-based treatment that utilizes different specific wavelengths of light to treat a variety of skin concerns. During an IPL treatment, the light energy is precisely directed to the needed area.

This helps speed up the skin's natural healing processes and makes it look better overall. According to Dr. Robert Morrell, M.D., founder and director of Medical Rejuvenation Centre and Di Morelli Skin Care, IPL can address issues such as pigmentation, rosacea, veins, acne, and hair removal. 

How does IPL Treatment Help to Get Rid of Dark Spots?

Dr. Morrell discusses how intense pulsed light (IPL) can treat dark spot discoloration. Shining a narrow band of light on the brown pigment, it is heated until it melts and disintegrates into granules, much like coffee. This will eventually fall off your skin after a few days.

The extra melanin is the only part of the skin that this light harms; it leaves the rest of the skin untouched. IPL can eliminate surface pigmentation, allowing the skin to exfoliate on its own.

Nevertheless, it does not eliminate the melanocytes responsible for melanin production; thus, the dark spots may come back later. Even so, many women say that their black spots are much less noticeable after getting professional treatments.

IPL Treatment: What Can You Expect?

When you walk in, the machine is ready for you. Both you and the medical professional providing care will wear protective eyewear. If you don't cover your eyes, the IPL light could cause permanent harm.

Finally, the IPL will be applied over the treated skin area after administering the gel. Then, you'll experience highly brief bursts of heat and light. If you put on the glasses but don't open your eyes, you can still tell that there is light in the room.

You should expect to have your face chilled during the procedure. The entire process usually only takes around twenty minutes.

How Frequently Will You Need to Get Treatment?

The typical treatment plan consists of three sessions over six to eight weeks. Even though some patients say they feel better after just one session, most people see the best results after three sessions. Generally speaking, the data shows that patients need to be treated three to four times.

After Therapy, What Can You Expect?

At least 8 weeks after treatment, sun avoidance and/or sunscreen use are highly recommended. The skin's color may shift if you don't care for it. Even if your skin shows mild peeling, resist the urge to remove it. Simply let nature take its course. Maintain a moist dressing and inform your doctor if any pain occurs.

What Are the Most Common Side Effects of an IPL Treatment?

The most common harmful effects are redness and slight swelling of the treated skin. This is minor and typically lasts for a few hours to a day. Most people don't let this bother them and go back to work the following day.

According to a study by Fodor et al. (2009), 67% and 75% of patients receiving vascular lesions or hair removal treatment experienced no issues. Occasionally, blistering (similar to sunburn) might occur as a side effect of the treatment. Like a sunburn, this should be kept covered and clean.

Is It Safe to Have IPL Therapy If You Have an Extremely Dark Complexion?

There hasn't been enough study of individuals of color, a significant issue. Regrettably, many of the cosmetic medical procedures we now offer put patients with darker skin tones in greater danger. Because of this, working with people of certain ethnicities can be challenging and irritating.

The amount of melanin (the skin color pigment) is the primary distinguishing factor between people with dark skin and those with a light complexion. Remember that melanin is a chromophore that may soak up the light. Also, people of color have a higher chance of aberrant scar formation; thus, caution is required when treating them.

Since there is a severe danger of enhancing skin color or even lightening skin tone, IPL treatment is often not suggested for those with dark skin. For those with darker skin tones, the hazards outweigh the advantages. But, alternative lasers can be used without risk on those with darker skin.

Conclusion

IPL therapy is a risk-free and effective method for lightening skin discolorations. It's been around for a while and isn't happening soon. Because the procedure is non-invasive, it poses no risk of infection or leaving scars. However, before starting any treatment, talking to a doctor is smart. Likewise, you should know about any treatment-related dangers and adverse effects.

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