After years of summer lake days and afternoons spent gardening under the sun, it’s normal to look in the mirror and notice some changes in your skin. These sun-filled days and long weekends outdoors can leave behind more than just memories; they can leave visible marks on your skin.
These marks might look like new freckles, patches of redness, or rough spots that weren’t part of your complexion a few years ago. These subtle signs of sun damage often creep in slowly, making our skin look older than it really is.
That’s where intense pulsed light near Fairmont, MN, comes in. At The Skin Clinic Aesthetics and Wellness, many of our clients come to us looking to refresh their skin after years of sun exposure without resorting to invasive procedures.
Intense pulsed light, or IPL, therapy has become a trusted solution for renewing the skin’s natural glow: fading sun spots, evening tone, and leaving skin feeling smooth again. In this blog, we’ll explore how IPL works, what results you can expect, and why it’s one of the simplest ways to refresh and restore a healthy complexion.
Light Therapy, Big Results: All About Intense Pulsed Light
Intense pulsed light is a specialized form of light therapy that can treat specific skin concerns without any invasive treatment methods. This means no snips, stitches, or surgery required, just real results through the power of light.
Unlike lasers, which typically operate on a single wavelength, IPL uses broad-spectrum light to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. By emitting multiple wavelengths, broad-spectrum light can penetrate the skin to target melanin and hyperpigmentation directly.
Over a series of sessions, intense pulsed light near Fairmont, MN, works effectively as a skin rejuvenation treatment, giving you a more even complexion with minimal downtime.
The Science Behind IPL
IPL is effective because of the broad-spectrum light it uses during the treatment process. Damaged skin cells absorb this light energy, which gently heats and breaks them apart without damaging the healthy cells or tissue surrounding them.
This precise technology:
- Stimulates collagen production: The energy heats the dermis of the skin, ramping up collagen production. This helps to rebuild lost collagen to help create firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
- Reduces redness: Dilated blood vessels absorb the broad-spectrum light under the skin and dissipate, reducing facial redness.
- Targets pigmentation: IPL energy breaks down excess melanin stored in the skin. This works to fade sunspots, age spots, and freckles.
- Softens fine lines: Increasing the body’s collagen production helps plump the skin, improving the appearance of fine lines.
Though intense pulsed light near Fairmont, MN, can effectively treat a variety of skin concerns, it is especially good at targeting the signs of photoaging on the neck, chest, and face.
What Is Photoaging, and What Does It Do to the Skin?
Three distinct layers make up our skin: the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (middle layer), and the hypodermis (bottom layer). The dermis is where proteins like collagen, elastin, and other fibres are found that keep our skin supported and strong.
Though these proteins and fibres work to give our skin its smooth and youthful appearance, they are directly damaged by UVA and UVB radiation. Both forms of radiation are responsible for “photoaging,” or premature aging because of ongoing sun exposure.
Common signs of photoaging include:
- Pigment changes, like freckles, melasma patches, and age spots
- Uneven skin tone or uneven skin texture
- Red, rough, scaly spots on the skin
UVA rays are the primary cause of photoaging because they penetrate deep into the skin’s dermis, damaging collagen fibers and reducing collagen levels.
Is IPL Right for You?
If you’re noticing signs of photoaging or sun-damaged skin more often, you’re likely a good candidate for IPL. Generally, we recommend IPL to patients who have:
- Mild to moderate skin elasticity
- Skin that is not extremely tanned
- A preference for noninvasive treatments
- Reasonable expectations for your results
People with certain skin types or conditions, and those taking specific medications, may not be suitable candidates for intense pulsed light. If you…
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have active skin infections, open cuts, or inflammatory skin conditions
- Are currently on Accutane or other acne medications (you will need to be off these medications for at least 6 months to qualify for IPL)
- Have tattoos or permanent makeup in the treatment area
…our team may recommend alternative options. These can include chemical peels, skin resurfacing, facials, or medical-grade skincare products. We want to make sure we provide advanced treatments that align with your specific needs, and we will design a treatment plan accordingly.
Step-by-Step: Your IPL Journey
Choosing to treat your skin is a big decision, and understanding what to expect can make the entire process feel a little more comfortable. At The Skin Clinic, we believe confidence comes from knowing exactly what to expect from your treatment: from your very first consultation to your ultimate results.
Let’s walk through the entire IPL treatment, so you know how each step brings you closer to a rejuvenated, radiant complexion.
The Initial Consultation
At The Skin Clinic, we always begin our IPL treatments with a one-on-one consultation. This not only gives our team a chance to get to know you, your skin, and your concerns a bit better, but also allows us to determine if the right treatment for you is intense pulsed light near Fairmont.
Together, you and your provider discuss your skin’s condition, medical history, and overall treatment goals. If IPL aligns with your needs and will be a safe and effective option to meet those needs, your provider designs your treatment plan based on this consultation.
Before Your IPL Treatment
In the days and weeks leading up to your IPL appointment, there are a few steps our team recommends you take to help ensure the best results possible. Before your appointment:
- Avoid using exfoliants and retinol products for 2 weeks
- Avoid excessive sun exposure for 2 weeks
- Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your treatment
- Arrive at your appointment with the treatment area freshly clean and free of makeup/lotion
The IPL Treatment
On the day of your appointment, check in at The Skin Clinic. Your provider then shows you to a private treatment room and has you relax in a treatment chair. You’re free to ask questions you still have about your IPL therapy before we begin the treatment process.
Once your provider has answered your remaining questions, they begin treatment. During each IPL session, your provider uses the hand-held device to deliver pulses of broadband light to specific spots on the skin.
Most clients describe this feeling as a mild snapping sensation as the light pulses. The entire session is relatively quick and usually lasts 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.
After Your IPL Treatment
After an intense pulsed light session, take care of your skin to help it heal properly and to maintain your results. Immediately after the appointment, it’s normal to experience a slight pink flush or mild redness that should subside on its own in a few hours.
Some steps we recommend taking after your appointment include:
- Applying a cool compress to the treatment area, if needed
- Keeping your skin clean and well-moisturized
- Using gentle, non-irritating skin care products
- Avoid excess sun exposure for a few weeks
- Avoid picking dry skin patches on the treated area
- Wait 1 week to use exfoliating products, as these can irritate the skin and affect the healing process
Your IPL Results
In the weeks following your initial treatment for intense pulsed light near Fairmont, you can expect to see some improvements in the skin. This can include a reduced appearance of photoaging and redness, along with a more even skin tone.
Typically, we recommend a series of treatments to achieve the best results possible. Though the number of sessions needed will depend on the severity of the skin condition being treated, we often suggest 3 IPL sessions for maximum results.
IPL Aftercare Tips for Lasting Results
Achieving your glowing results is just the beginning; the next step is maintaining them. The way you take care of your skin post-treatment helps your results last, giving you radiant skin long-term.
Some of our team’s top tips for maintaining your IPL results include:
1. Always Use Sun Protection
After IPL therapy, make sure you protect your skin from harmful UV rays daily by applying broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. This helps extend the results of your treatment.
2. Stay Hydrated
Hydrate properly in the weeks following your treatment. Hydration plays a major role in sustaining the healthy, refreshed skin that’s achieved by an IPL treatment.
3. Use Gentle Skincare Products
Following your appointment, you should avoid using retinoids or exfoliants. Instead, apply mild, fragrance-free cleansers and calming moisturizers for sensitive skin.
4. Use Antioxidant-Rich Products
Finding skincare products with vitamins C and E helps protect your skin from free radical damage and supports additional collagen production. Daily application of products with these vitamins can reinforce long-term skin health.
5. Follow the Advice From Your Provider
Every client’s skin responds differently to a treatment, so a personalized plan tailored to your skin’s needs is essential for maintaining results. Your provider can design a post-IPL skincare routine to ensure your skin stays healthy.
Never hesitate to reach out to our team at any point throughout your IPL journey; we’re always happy to answer questions you may have and offer advice based on your specific needs.
Turn the Page on Sun Damage With IPL
The story your skin tells doesn’t have to be defined by years of sun exposure. With intense pulsed light near Fairmont, MN, The Skin Clinic Aesthetics and Wellness offers a gentle, yet powerful, way to turn a new page in your skincare story, softening sun spots, calming redness, and restoring an even complexion.
If you’re ready to see your reflection change in ways you’ll love, our team is here to guide you toward skin that looks brighter, clearer, and is full of life. Book an appointment and take your first step toward healthier skin that looks as vibrant as you feel on the inside.
