IPL for pigmentation and sun damage
IPL for pigmentation uses light absorbed by melanin to break down sun spots, freckling and uneven tone. At ALBA Skin & Beauty Clinic in Cirencester it is delivered with the Zemits QuantumPeak at 530 to 750nm. Treated pigment darkens over a few days then flakes away. Most people need three sessions four weeks apart, and daily SPF afterwards is essential or the pigmentation returns.
3
SESSIONS TYPICALLY NEEDED
XX
PRICE
4 weeks
SESSIONS INTERVAL
How it works
Melanin absorbs the light energy and converts it to heat, fragmenting the pigment cluster. The damaged pigment rises to the surface over three to seven days, darkening first and then shedding as the skin turns over. Radiofrequency supports the process at depth, allowing effective treatment at lower light energy.
What it treats
Sun spots, age spots, solar lentigines, freckling, post-inflammatory marks and general uneven tone on the face, chest, shoulders and hands.
RESULTS TIMELINE
Visible clearing 1 to 2 weeks after each session.
AVERAGE NR OF SESSIONS
3
TREATMENT TIME
30 to 45 minutes depending on area
SESSION INTERVAL
4 weeks
DOWNTIME
Minimal. Treated spots darken for 3 to 7 days before flaking.
After Treatment
Do
✔️ Apply SPF 50 every day without exception
✔️ Let darkened spots flake off in their own time
✔️ Use a gentle cleanser and barrier moisturiser
✔️ Expect the treated area to look worse before it looks better
Don’t
✖️ No sun exposure or sunbeds for 4 weeks
✖️ No picking or exfoliating the darkened pigment
✖️ No retinoids or acids for 5 days
✖️ No hot showers, saunas or steam for 48 hours
Is it right for you?
Best suited to sun-related pigmentation on lighter skin types, though the DPL and RF combination allows careful treatment across a wider range than traditional IPL. Melasma is assessed separately and is usually not treated with light, because heat can worsen it.
NOT SUITABLE IF YOU ARE
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Recent sun exposure, sunbed use or fake tan in the last 4 weeks
Taking photosensitising medication, including isotretinoin within the last 6 months
Active infection, broken skin or an outbreak of cold sores in the area
Photosensitive epilepsy
History of keloid scarring
Tattoos or permanent makeup in the treatment area
Under 18
Melasma, unless specifically agreed after assessment
Questions people ask
Why does my pigmentation look darker after treatment?
That is the treatment working. The fragmented pigment rises to the surface and darkens before shedding, usually over three to seven days. It is a sign of a good response, not a reaction, and it should be left alone rather than scrubbed.
Can IPL treat melasma?
Generally no. Melasma is driven by hormones and heat, and light-based treatment often makes it worse over time even when it appears to clear initially. ALBA assesses pigmentation in person before treating, because melasma and sun damage look similar and are managed almost oppositely.
Will the pigmentation come back?
The treated pigment is cleared, but new pigment forms with further UV exposure. Daily SPF is essential afterwards, and most people have a maintenance session once a year, usually in autumn.