IPL — INTENSE PULSED LIGHT THERAPY

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a versatile light-based treatment used to address a wide range of skin concerns, from pigmentation and redness to sun damage and unwanted hair. Unlike laser, which uses a single, focused wavelength, IPL delivers a broad spectrum of light wavelengths in a single pulse, allowing it to target multiple skin concerns simultaneously.

At LIFE X CLINICS, IPL treatments are performed using our in-clinic TGA Approved E-Light IPL/RF system, with settings tailored to your skin type, tone, and specific concerns.

How IPL works:

During treatment, broad-spectrum light is delivered into the skin, where it's absorbed by targeted chromophores, primarily melanin (found in pigment) and haemoglobin (found in blood vessels). As these structures absorb the light energy, it converts to heat, which:

• Breaks down excess pigment in sun spots, freckles, and areas of discolouration, allowing the body to naturally clear the fragmented pigment over time
• Coagulates small, visible blood vessels, causing them to collapse and fade from view
• Generates mild heat within the deeper skin layers, stimulating collagen production and gradually improving skin texture and tone

Because IPL targets specific chromophores, treatment can be adjusted to focus on pigment, redness, or a combination of both, depending on your primary concern.

Conditions IPL can help with:

• Sun damage and pigmentation — including sun spots, freckles, and areas of sun-induced discolouration
• Rosacea and facial redness — reducing the appearance of visible blood vessels and flushing associated with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea
• Vascular concerns — including broken capillaries, spider veins, and general facial redness
• Melasma — in select cases, used cautiously as part of a broader treatment plan, given melasma's sensitivity to heat and potential for rebound pigmentation
• Acne and congestion — helping to reduce acne-causing bacteria and calm inflammation
• Uneven skin tone and texture — improving overall clarity and radiance with a course of treatments
• Unwanted hair — reducing hair growth over a series of sessions, in areas suitable for light-based hair reduction

What to expect:

Treatment typically takes between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the area treated. A cooling gel is applied prior to treatment, and most patients describe the sensation as a mild snapping or warming feeling. Some redness or mild swelling is common immediately after treatment and generally settles within a few hours to a day. Pigmented areas may temporarily darken before flaking off over the following one to two weeks.

Because IPL works progressively, a course of treatments is typically recommended for optimal results, with the number of sessions depending on the condition being treated and its severity.

A personalised approach:

Not every skin type or condition is suited to IPL, and settings must be carefully tailored to your individual skin tone to ensure safe, effective treatment. Our Dermal Clinician Renee, will assess your skin during consultation to confirm suitability and design a treatment plan around your specific goals.