CosMedical skin solution perth western australiaCosMedical specialise in IPL skin rejuvenation

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photo-Rejuvenation

Sun-damage, acne, hormones and numerous other factors can cause blotchy and uneven skin tones resulting in a dirty, and aged appearance. IPL Photo-Rejuvenation or ‘Photofacials’ are an effective way to even out your skin tone while producing firmer, smoother and clearer looking skin after only 2-3 sessions. Allowing you to feel more confident without the need to apply makeup.

This information is designed to increase your knowledge about IPL photo-rejuvenation. We recommend you read through our 'What is IPL' page in addition to this information to help you decide whether these treatments may be appropriate for you.

If you would like further information, we recommend you come and see us for a consultation where we will discuss this in more detail and will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

What is IPL Photo-Rejuvenation?

IPL photo-rejuvenation is a popular, non-invasive treatment used to improve many skin conditions. It uses specific wavelengths of light to simultaneously treat pigmented and vascular lesions in the skin (brown and red pigments), while stimulating the production of collagen.

How does it work?

IPL photo-rejuvenation works on the ‘Theory of Photothermolysis’. This occurs when light is absorbed into excessive melanin (the dark pigment) in your skin and haemoglobin (the red colour in your blood vessels). This light converts to heat, which damages the target cells whilst leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. The cells that contain the pigment will naturally move toward the surface of the skin and slough off, leaving a much lighter pigmented lesion or one that is not longer visible. As vascular conditions exist deeper in the skin they will gradually fade within a few weeks.

What will it improve?

  • Flat, benign pigmented lesions (freckles, sunspots and general pigmentation)
  • Facial vascular lesions, and telangiectasia (spider veins, broken capillaries and red spots)
  • Diffuse redness, rosacea and red scarring
  • Campbell de Morgans spots or cherry angiomas (red spots of varying size)
  • Poikiloderma (redness, pigmentation and a spotty look to the neck and/or décolletage)
  • Uneven and blotchy skin
  • Skin firmness, pore size
  • Sun damage

Is your skin suitable for IPL treatment?

In order to select the correct skin type for IPL treatment, the table below is used to classify skin according to its melanin content and the skins reaction to the sun. The ideal candidate for IPL photo-rejuvenation treatments has a noticeable contrast between the natural skin colour and the pigmented lesions or redness being treated.

i ii iii iv v

Contra-Indications (Reasons why IPL may not be suitable for you)

  • Recent sunburn
  • Unprotected sun exposure or solarium use 4 weeks prior to treatment
  • Fake tan on the treatment area 2 weeks prior to treatment
  • Pregnancy
  • History of seizures
  • Severe dermatitis or eczema (within the treatment area)
  • Active infections
  • Roaccutane (oral acne medication) use in the last 6 months
  • Herpes 1 or 2 (within the treatment area)
  • Very dark skin
  • Photo sensitising medications are best avoided

Potential Complications:

Unfortunately, there are some potential complications associated with IPL treatments. At CosMedical Skin Solutions we perform test spots within 3 days prior to your actual treatment, to provide an accurate evaluation of the skins response. This helps to optimise treatment outcomes and significantly reduce potential complications, which include:

  • Prolonged redness and swelling lasting up to 4 days may occur.
  • Darker patches of pigment on the skin may occur a couple of weeks after treatment. This can last from 2 weeks up to 1 year with higher risks in darker skin types. (this is not the immediate darkening of pigment we expect when treating pigmentation).
  • Whiter patches on the skin can occur if the treatment settings are too high. This occurs if the light is also absorbed into the melanin in the surrounding skin instead of just the lesion to be treated, thereby removing its colour. This ‘hypo-pigmentation’ can last 2 weeks up to 1 year though also has the potential to be permanent. Higher risks are associated with darker skin colours.
  • Blistering rarely occurs and will usually settle within 2 hours with application of ice. If you do get a blister, it is important that you don’t pick it as it may leave a scar.
  • There is also a possibility you may not achieve the desired results.

How should you prepare for the treatment?

  • Discontinue sun exposure 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Do not use fake tan 1-2 weeks prior to your treatment.
  • Use an SPF 30 daily.
  • If you have a history of herpes close to the area being treated, it is recommended that you take antiviral medication before the treatment.

What does IPL Photo-Rejuvenation feel like?

Each pulse of light usually feels like a hot elastic band snapping on your skin. This is due to the light converting to heat in the targeted lesion. Due to the advanced technology of the StarLux 500, patient comfort is substantially better than any other medical grade systems.

How will my skin react after the treatment?

(This varies from person to person but may include the following)

  • A sunburn like sensation lasting 2 to 5 hours
  • Redness and swelling lasting up to several days may occur, especially for rosacea treatments
  • Sensitivity to heat for 2 days following treatment

What happens to the pigmented and vascular lesions after the treatment?

Pigmented lesions will generally go darker, sometimes almost black, then will fall off within 7 to 28 days (depending on the area of the body) or will just gradually fade. Vascular lesions such as broken blood vessels, cherry angiomas or Campbell de Morgan spots, will either disappear immediately, appear purplish in colour or varying shades of grey to black. They will then gradually fade or disappear.

Diffuse redness will usually appear immediately more red, then gradually fades within 2-3 weeks.

What sort of results can I expect?

A 70-90% reduction of pigmentation can generally be expected with visible improvements seen after each treatment. Recommended skin care and strict sun protection helps to maintain results for much longer and continues to improve the skins appearance.

Vascular conditions will vary in response according to underlying individual factors, though Campbell de Morgan spots and cherry angiomas are often completely removed with 1-3 treatments depending on their size.

How many treatments will I need, and how far apart are they?

Pigmented lesions generally require 1-3 sessions performed approximately every 7-28 days or once all the darkened cells have sloughed off.

Region Interval time
Face 7-14 days
Neck 2-3 weeks
Décolletage 2-3 weeks
Arms 3-4 weeks
Hands 3-4 weeks
Back 3-4 weeks

Vascular lesions, rosacea and diffuse redness generally require 3-4 treatments at 7-10 day intervals to achieve the best results. This is so we can progressively destroy the vessel without damaging the surrounding skin and prevents the vessels from repairing themselves between treatments. Best results are generally seen approximately 3-4 weeks after the last treatment.

Skin rejuvenation generally requires 2-6 treatments performed at weekly or fortnightly intervals to achieve the best results in skin texture, pore size and firmness. Improvements can continue to be noted up to 3 months after the last treatment.

Who will perform my IPL treatments?

Your IPL treatments will be performed by one of our Dermal Therapists, who are all qualified and experienced IPL and LASER safety officers.

How much does it cost?

Click here to view our prices.

Important Information:

Intense Pulsed Light is currently unregulated in Australia and anyone without knowledge of the skin or basic light physics is able to provide these treatments. In the wrong hands it can cause permanent scarring and long term complications or result in ineffective treatments. (See our page on ‘What is IPL’ for more information and images of IPL burns)

Call us on 9300 0663, or visit our online booking facility to make an appointment for a consultation today.