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18 years
Is IPL dangerous on the face and body?
Jul 21, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Rania Mousa General Medicine
IPL, or intense pulsed light, is not dangerous. It is used to reduce wrinkles and other skin issues and in laser hair removal on face and skin.

IPL uses polychromatic, high-intensity light to penetrate just below the skin's surface, damaging either the melanin that makes up brown "age spots" or the blood vessels that create broken capillaries. The skin repairs the damage, leaving you with a more even skin tone. IPL is also touted as a way to boost collagen and elastin

There are some side effects that are common and can be expected with IPL hair removal. These include slight redness of the skin, slight swelling, and a feeling of soreness. Your skin may feel a little like it is sunburnt. However, these kinds of side effects should only last a day or two. There is also a chance that there may be some slight pigment change in the area of skin where you had the procedure. This can either make your skin slightly lighter or darker in patches. Darker ‘patches’ will be more like dots of sun-tanned skin which have tanned in spots where the light acted. If your skin goes lighter, however, it will be in slightly larger, but nevertheless very small, patches, where your skin’s pigment has absorbed too much light. Darker skin tones are more prone to this than light ones. If your skin’s pigment changes, either darker or lighter, this should fade in time, but may take a few months. there are not many major serious complications or risks with IPL, as it has been developed to be as safe as possible. Most side effects, such as redness or pigment change, will subside in time. However, there is a risk of the skin overheating from the light, which can cause blistering or bad scarring, and since your skin will be vulnerable and tender there is a risk of infection
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