IPL
Here in Phoenix, many people are caring for their skin but still see stubborn brown spots, freckles, or redness. Sun exposure and tiny broken capillaries can make skin tone look uneven, even if it feels smooth. At Manor, we use Lumecca technology on the InMode Optimas platform to treat both brown and red discoloration without removing the skin’s surface. We tailor each treatment to your skin tone and concerns, aiming for clearer skin with little downtime.
Sun spots, freckles, age spots, facial redness, broken capillaries, and uneven pigmentation
Noninvasive intense pulsed light therapy for skin rejuvenation
Face, neck, décolletage, and hands
Mild redness or swelling; treated brown spots may look darker for several days before shedding
Pigment usually begins clearing and redness starts settling within one to two weeks
About 20 to 30 minutes for the face; larger areas may take longer
IPL means intense pulsed light. This device sends quick flashes of light into the skin to target unwanted pigment and small visible blood vessels. Some people call this treatment a photofacial or photorejuvenation. Unlike a traditional facial with extractions or massage, IPL uses energy to treat visible color in the skin. Most lasers use one specific wavelength, but IPL produces a broad range of light. We use filters to focus the light on a particular target, so we can treat both brown spots and redness in the same session if needed.
When we treat a brown spot, melanin absorbs the light energy. This includes freckles, age spots, and solar lentigines, the medical name for flat spots caused by years of sun. The excess pigment breaks apart and moves toward the surface. It usually darkens first, then flakes away as the skin turns over.
For redness, the hemoglobin in small blood vessels absorbs the pulsed light. This heats the vessel, causing it to close and fade over time. We choose the filter and energy settings based on your skin’s color, the area being treated, and your natural pigment.
IPL treatment can sometimes help with collagen production and slightly improve skin texture, but we mainly use it to treat color issues. For indented scars, deep wrinkles, or loose skin, other treatments are usually better choices.
IPL is most useful when the issue is brown, red, or a combination of the two. It can soften sun damage, freckles, age spots, uneven pigmentation, facial redness, broken capillaries, and other small vascular lesions. It may also help with flat red marks after a breakout and background redness associated with rosacea.
IPL can’t fill indented acne scars, tighten skin, or remove deep wrinkles. It may help reduce redness from rosacea, but it doesn’t cure the condition or treat bumps. We are careful with melasma, since heat and light can sometimes make it worse.
Depending on your skin concerns, an IPL treatment may offer:
One treatment may work well for a single spot. If you have more sun damage or widespread redness, you might need additional sessions. We watch how your skin responds and adjust the plan as needed.
Lumecca is the IPL technology we use on the InMode Optimas platform. It concentrates energy in the 500-to-600-nanometer range used for many pigmented lesions and superficial vessels. Its sapphire cooling surface helps protect the treated skin and improve comfort.
InMode says many patients see visible improvement after one or two treatments, but your results may vary. The number of sessions you need depends on things like pigment depth, type of redness, your skin type, treatment area, and sun exposure.
IPL and laser therapy both use light, though they deliver it differently. A laser treatment uses a focused wavelength. IPL uses filtered broad-spectrum light, which works well when brown spots, redness, and small vessels are scattered across the same area. A targeted laser may suit a concern that responds best to a single wavelength.
Chemical peels can help with dullness, roughness, and certain pigmentation. Fractional laser treatments such as MOXI or Clear + Brilliant place more emphasis on resurfacing and texture. RF microneedling may be better for acne scars, wrinkles, or mild laxity. We will recommend the option that fits the skin issues you want to improve.
Optimas also supports hair removal through a separate handpiece for dark hair. Lumecca IPL focuses on pigment, redness, and skin rejuvenation. Unwanted hair requires its own treatment plan.
We commonly use IPL on areas where sun damage tends to accumulate:
Treating larger or more sensitive areas may take more time or require different settings. We also think about hair growth, since IPL can affect hair follicles in areas with a lot of hair.
An IPL device cannot diagnose skin cancer. A spot that is new, changing, irregular, bleeding, or slow to heal needs medical evaluation before light treatment. Please mention any concerning lesions and personal or family history of skin cancer. Sometimes a dermatologist needs to take a closer look first.
An in-person skin assessment is important. IPL is safest for lighter to medium, untanned skin tones. Some people with darker skin tones may still be good candidates, but more melanin can absorb the light and raise the risk of burns or pigment changes.
IPL therapy is generally safe for the right person, but every procedure has some risks. We wait to treat skin that is tanned, sunburned, irritated, or infected. Please let us know if you have melasma, past pigment changes, light-triggered seizures, take photosensitizing medications, are pregnant, use isotretinoin, have had recent procedures, or get cold sores.
The most important step is to keep the treatment area out of the sun. Avoid tanning beds, self-tanners, and too much sun exposure. We might ask you to stop using retinoids, exfoliating acids, or scrubs so your skin is not too sensitive. Only stop prescription medications if your clinician tells you to.
Tell us about recent chemical peels, laser treatments, microneedling, waxing, or injectables. Come in with clean skin if instructed. A fresh tan, cold sore, sunburn, or irritation may mean moving the appointment.
We review your skin, medications, recent treatments, and sun exposure first. Once the area is clean, you put on protective eyewear and keep it in place throughout the procedure.
Your provider will place the cooled Lumecca handpiece on your skin and deliver quick flashes of light. Most people say it feels like a warm rubber band snap. Any heat, mild discomfort, or brief stinging goes away quickly. Numbing cream is not always needed. A facial treatment usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, while larger areas may take up to 45 minutes.
Right after treatment, your skin might look pink and feel warm. Mild swelling, redness, or sensitivity usually goes away in a few hours. Most people can go back to work or other indoor activities the same day, so recovery is quick.
Many people are surprised that brown spots get darker before they fade. Treated pigment may look like tiny pepper flakes and will shed on its own over seven to 14 days. Small blood vessels can also look darker for a short time.
Let the pigment shed naturally. Avoid picking, scrubbing, or exfoliating, as this can irritate your skin. Contact Manor if you have intense pain, ongoing swelling, blistering, or anything unusual during recovery.
Most people see clearer skin as darkened pigment sheds, usually within one to two weeks. Facial redness and small vessels may soften during the same window, although vascular concerns can take longer.
Some people see the results they want after one or two Lumecca treatments. Others may need a few more sessions if sun damage is widespread or deeper. We’ll adjust the schedule based on how your skin responds. Using sunscreen, keeping up with skin care, and coming in for maintenance visits can help keep your results as new spots appear.
Living in Phoenix means IPL aftercare is extra important. The sun is strong here, even during a short drive or lunch outside. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, reapply it when outdoors, and wear a hat when possible. Your skin needs this protection after treatment.
Keep your skincare routine simple while your skin heals. Avoid strong active ingredients and follow our advice about exercise, hot showers, saunas, pools, and outdoor heat. Fall and winter are often easier for treatment, but you can have IPL at other times if your skin is untanned and you can protect it from the sun.
Your provider’s experience is just as important as the IPL device itself. At Manor, our aesthetic specialists look at your skin color, natural tone, treatment area, and recent sun exposure before choosing the right settings. Our team works with board-certified medical directors and will suggest another option if IPL is not the best or safest choice for you.
Manor is located on North 7th Street in Uptown Phoenix, close to North Central Phoenix and the Biltmore area. We plan your treatment and aftercare with Arizona’s sun and heat in mind, so our recommendations fit your lifestyle.
Book a private consultation at Manor to see if IPL is right for your skin. We’ll check the type of discoloration, review if you’re a good candidate, and discuss what results you can expect. Schedule online or call to reach our Uptown Phoenix office.
No. IPL delivers filtered broad-spectrum light, while a laser uses a more specific wavelength. Both can treat skin concerns, but each has different strengths.
Most patients feel a quick, warm snap similar to a rubber band against the skin. The discomfort passes quickly, and the Lumecca handpiece has a cooling surface that helps.
Deeper skin tones contain more melanin, which can absorb IPL energy and increase the chance of a burn or pigment change. Some patients may still qualify after a careful assessment. For others, we will recommend a different treatment.
IPL may soften the background redness and small visible vessels associated with rosacea, though it does not cure the condition. We approach melasma much more cautiously because light and heat can make it darker. We need to evaluate the pigment before deciding whether IPL is appropriate.
Some patients see the improvement they want after one or two Lumecca sessions. Widespread sun damage, redness, or pigment at different depths may take more treatments. Your response to the first session gives us useful information for planning the next step.
Pricing depends on the treatment area and the number of sessions recommended. Manor will give you exact costs after evaluating your skin and developing your treatment plan.
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