It is important to note that IPL primarily responds to pigmentation. This means that the treatment works best for light skin tones. It also means that your skin should therefore not be too tanned from the sun, tanning bed or even self-tanner. Unsure if you qualify? Then be sure to schedule a consultation: that way we can see together what is possible and possibly schedule a further appointment.

For optimal results, it is important to avoid the sun (and by extension the tanning bed) for 14 days as much as possible. After treatment, the skin is very sensitive and red, making it more susceptible to UV radiation and hyperpigmentation. Apply a high sunscreen (SPF 50+) every time you go outside and wear protective clothing such as a cap, hat or sunglasses.

You can, but be aware that the skin may be red and slightly swollen after treatment. Because the pigment is pushed to the surface, spots will also just darken in the first few days and only then flake off.

– Stay out of the sun for 14 days after treatment and wear a high sunscreen (SPF 50+). This will prevent new pigmentation spots.

– Also, do not use scrubs or exfoliators during this period.

– Ignore irritating creams or serums for 14 days.

– Stay away from the scabs as much as possible: don’t pick or scratch! Post-treatment scabs disappear by themselves and leave no scars. The only scars that may appear are caused by scratching.

– Apply a soothing, antiseptic cream daily that you will take home with you after treatment.

Although our bodies are constantly exposed to sunlight throughout our lives, we don’t see the effects until later in life. It is no coincidence that sun spots – also known as age spots – occur mostly in places that have been (too) exposed to the sun, such as the face, décolleté and hands. Good news: we can treat these spots very easily with IPL. Other brown spots such as melasma or pregnancy mask are more difficult to treat, but not impossible. In that case, be sure to make an appointment for a consultation.

We always work with Lutronic’s Solari IPL lamp. Although an IPL treatment looks like a laser treatment, it is actually flashes of light: by heating the melanin – the skin’s dye – the pigment will be broken down and the dark discoloration will eventually diminish. Good to know: only the spot itself is treated, not the surrounding skin.

What makes IPL so unique is that the light pulses cover a broad spectrum of wavelengths. This is why IPL is so effective for pigment spots: the different wavelengths break down excess pigment more effectively than most laser treatments, which use only one (invisible) wavelength. The special light from the Solari will absorb the reddish-brown color of the superficial pigment spots, after which the spot disappears.

After IPL treatment, blood flow to the skin increases temporarily, so you may notice some redness for 1-2 days. Sometimes the skin may be slightly swollen, which is normal. In principle, you may resume your daily activities immediately after the treatment, although it is important to be careful in the sun. Within a few days you will see dark spots. Don’t panic: this is a sign that the treatment was successful. The spots you see are actually the pigment that has broken down and is being shed outward. This process can take several weeks.

During the treatment, you may experience a sensation of warmth. Afterwards, the skin may feel burning for a while. After the treatment, the skin is adequately cooled and cared for.