The Role of IPL Therapy in Treating Sun-Damaged Skin
You know the one: you’re washing your face after a beach day in Laguna, the bathroom light is a little too honest, and there they are: tiny brown specks that weren’t there last month, a patch of lingering redness around the nose, a few new capillaries that catch the light. It’s not dramatic. It’s cumulative. That’s the thing about Southern California sun: it keeps score.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), also known as a photofacial, has become the quiet fix many locals reach for. It doesn’t resurface like a laser peel or freeze time like an injectable—it nudges pigment and redness to fade and asks your skin to look a little more even. Think tone and clarity, not a completely different face.
IPL is a broad-spectrum flash of light filtered through a handpiece to target what’s showing up on the surface: excess pigment, redness from tiny vessels, and general dullness from UV exposure. Because it’s non-ablative, the surface of your skin stays intact—no peeling or rawness—while the light energy works beneath to break down pigment over time.
IPL uses a range of wavelengths with filters that allow your provider to target brown or red tones precisely. In short, lasers are the scalpel; IPL is the multitool—best for color correction, not deep texture change.
If the goal is to look more rested and even on Zoom or in daylight, IPL is a strong match. For deeper wrinkles or texture changes, however, lasers or resurfacing may be more appropriate options.
Providers often discuss IPL in the context of Fitzpatrick skin types. It tends to be most straightforward on lighter complexions, though it can be tailored to richer tones with conservative settings and careful pretreatment. If you tan easily or just got back from a trip, your provider may advise waiting until melanin levels normalize.
Patch testing and a detailed intake help ensure even, safe results. The goal is precision, not speed.
Appointments are quick—usually 20 to 30 minutes. After photos and prepping with cooling gel, you’ll feel short pulses of light that feel like a warm snap on the skin. Mild redness may follow, with brown spots appearing darker before flaking off over the next week. Redness and broken vessels fade gradually over several weeks.
Stick to gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Skip retinoids or exfoliants until your provider gives the green light. You can wear makeup the next day, though some prefer to let the skin breathe for a few days while the “coffee-ground” pigment naturally lifts away.
Most patients benefit from a series of three to five IPL treatments spaced about a month apart. Expect noticeable improvement in clarity after the first two sessions, then a steady refinement. Many return for yearly maintenance to keep color and tone even.
Living in Southern California means embracing sunshine—but also protecting your results. Sunscreen, hats, and mindful outdoor habits are your best insurance. IPL results last longest when combined with smart daily SPF habits and a skincare routine that includes antioxidants and retinoids (when cleared to resume use).
Successful IPL treatments depend on experienced providers. Calibration, filter choice, and pulse duration all matter. At our Southern California med spa, we tailor IPL protocols for each skin type and tone to achieve even results and maintain skin integrity.
Healthy-looking skin isn’t about perfection—it’s about harmony, tone, and how your complexion reads in natural light. If sun exposure has written its story across your face and you’re ready for a cleaner edit, IPL therapy may be the ideal start. Schedule a consultation to discuss your options and create a plan that fits your skin, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Contact Andrew Smith, MD FACS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Irvine, Orange County to schedule your consultation.
