Textured skin and discoloration are the number one culprit of an uneven skin tone. Additionally, the texture and discoloration can deter you from wearing shorts, bikinis, and revealing clothes. Of course, skin texture and discoloration are normal, but it is best to deal with your body imperfections and build your confidence and self-esteem.
Most skincare brands offer products that can reduce skin texture and discoloration. Still, in the worst cases, it can be hard to fight blemishes, and it can be frustrating to try out all kinds of skincare products to remove skin texture and discoloration.
Thanks to the cutting-edge technology that was developed, the technology in the beauty industry also evolved, and now you can use IPL or Intense Pulsed Light lasers to get rid of blemishes. But what does IPL do, and how long should you wait between IPL treatments?
Photofacial therapy, also known as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, is a non-surgical technique used to fix and reduce your blemishes. It can reverse some of the obvious effects of sun exposure, and it’s usually performed on your face, neck, hands, or chest.
If you have skin that is discolored due to a medical issue, IPL could help you.
How Does IPL Laser Work? Click to find out.
What Does IPL Target?

Many skin conditions can be treated with IPL. Some of them are:
- Birthmarks
- Stretch marks
- Acne scars
- Discoloration
- Wrinkles
- Excess Hair
Apart from these, IPL can help in case of other skin issues. Nevertheless, its use is still limited, especially if you have an underlying condition that could prevent you from getting this treatment. If you are pregnant, have an underlying skin condition, take medication, or have a serious condition that IPL use could exacerbate, then maybe this treatment is not for you. That is why we would advise you to talk to a professional before undergoing an IPL treatment.
How Long After IPL Can I Exfoliate? Click to learn more.
How Does IPL Work?
As the name suggests, IPL treatment uses light to target the blemishes on your skin. Since the light it emits is hot, the hot light fixes the flaws in the area you treat. But don’t confuse IPL with lasers because laser treatment and IPL are completely different. Wondering What Happens If You Use Retinol Before IPL? Click to discover.
One of the advantages of IPL is that it is gentler than laser treatments. We all know how harsh laser treatments can be, and IPL treats your blemishes in a gentler way. However, technically speaking, both treatments have their purposes.
Time Between IPL Treatments: How Often And How Long Treatments Should Be Used

The IPL treatment is administered on a case-to-case basis, and how often you can get it depends on how severe your current condition is. Before your scheduled treatment, avoid exposure to the sun for an extended period of time and also avoid going to a tanning salon. As much as it’s possible, you want your skin to be in its most natural condition.
Initially, after the treatment, you will feel like you got a sunburn after staying on the beach for a long time. Remember that this is normal, and you really have to endure the pain. Some doctors will ask you to take painkillers before a session. Aside from a painkiller, you can also apply an ice pack to the skin to soothe the pain after the session. The pain can start four to six hours after your first session.
Days after your first session, you will experience some bruising or redness in the area where you got your treatment. Your dermatologist may ask you to put on some lotion and sunscreen every day to protect your skin.
An IPL treatment can take three to seven sessions depending on how severe your condition is. You have to wait at least two weeks or a month between your sessions. Each session will be the same, and you have to continuously do it to notice the improvement on your skin.
Conclusion
We all know how frustrating skin flaws can be, and while there are numerous treatments you can get, it is best to love and accept yourself despite your flaws.
You have to remember that these treatments are only here to aid you in achieving the best version of yourself. But the confidence and the inner beauty are within you.