Person holding a IPL device against a white background Person holding a IPL device against a white background

IPL Photofacial in Pittsburgh, PA

Erase Damage, Reveal Radiance

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses broad-spectrum light to target pigmentation, broken capillaries, and redness beneath the skin's surface. This non-invasive treatment delivers clearer, more even-toned skin with minimal downtime.

What is an IPL Photofacial?

IPL Photofacial, also known as Intense Pulsed Light therapy, is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that improves skin discoloration and texture caused by sun exposure, aging, and vascular conditions. Unlike lasers that use a single wavelength, IPL delivers multiple wavelengths of broad-spectrum light that can treat various skin concerns simultaneously.

The light energy targets and destroys specific pigments (melanin) and blood vessels (hemoglobin) beneath the skin's surface, which your body then naturally eliminates. Safe, effective, and used for over 30 years, IPL treats sun damage, age spots, redness, rosacea, and broken capillaries on fair to medium skin tones.

Treatment Benefits:

  • Reduces sun damage including age spots, freckles, and sunspots
  • Improves overall skin tone and texture dramatically
  • Treats rosacea, redness, and facial flushing effectively
  • Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Tightens and smooths skin surface naturally
  • Treats multiple skin concerns simultaneously in one session
  • Gentler than laser treatments with shorter recovery time
  • Stimulates collagen production for improved skin quality
  • Non-invasive with minimal downtime compared to surgery
  • Long-lasting results with proper sun protection maintenance
  • Can treat face, neck, chest, hands, and body areas

Skin Concerns Addressed by IPL Photofacials

  • Sun Damage (Photoaging) – UV-induced discoloration, texture changes, and premature aging
  • Age Spots (Liver Spots) – Brown spots from cumulative sun exposure over time
  • Freckles – Clusters of pigmentation across face, chest, and hands
  • Sunspots – Dark spots caused by prolonged UV exposure
  • Melasma – Hormonal brown spots and dark patches on face
  • Hyperpigmentation – Uneven skin tone and dark discolored areas
  • Broken Capillaries – Visible red blood vessels on cheeks and nose
  • Rosacea – Persistent facial redness, flushing, and inflammation
  • Spider Veins (Facial) – Small red or purple vessels on face
  • Redness and Flushing – Generalized facial redness and sensitivity
  • Birthmarks – Certain vascular birthmarks (lighter cases)
  • Acne and Acne Scars – Active breakouts and post-acne scarring
  • Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation – Dark marks after injuries or acne
  • Uneven Skin Tone – Blotchy, discolored patches across skin
  • Fine Lines and Wrinkles – Early signs of aging and textural concerns
  • Enlarged Pores – Visible pores requiring refinement

Target Areas for IPL:

  • Face (Full) – Comprehensive treatment for overall tone and clarity
  • Forehead – Sun damage and pigmentation across forehead
  • Cheeks – Broken capillaries, redness, rosacea, and brown spots
  • Nose – Redness, visible blood vessels, and enlarged pores
  • Chin and Jawline – Pigmentation and vascular concerns
  • Neck – Poikiloderma, sun damage, and uneven tone
  • Chest (Décolletage) – Sun damage, age spots, and redness
  • Hands – Age spots and sun damage on backs of hands
  • Arms and Shoulders – Sun damage on exposed body areas
  • Back – Sun damage and pigmentation on upper back
  • Abdomen – Pigmentation and textural concerns
  • Legs – Some vascular and pigmentation concerns (with appropriate settings)

Types of IPL Photofacial Treatments

  • Woman receiving a facial treatment with a device on her face. Woman receiving a facial treatment with a device on her face.

    IPL Consultation

    Required for new patients to assess candidacy, discuss goals, and create a personalized plan.
  • Person receiving a IPL Laser facial treatment in a clinical setting. Person receiving a IPL Laser facial treatment in a clinical setting.

    IPL Partial Face

    Targets specific areas like cheeks, nose, or forehead to treat localized sun damage and redness.
  • Person receiving a laser treatment on their face with medical equipment and gloves. Person receiving a laser treatment on their face with medical equipment and gloves.

    IPL Full Face

    Comprehensive treatment addressing pigmentation and vascular concerns across the entire face area.

What To Expect

Arrive 30 minutes early for numbing cream to keep you comfortable. You'll wear protective eyewear during the treatment, which takes about 20-30 minutes for targeted areas or up to an hour for full face.

Afterward, your skin will feel warm and sensitive. Ice packs will help soothe the area and minimize discomfort. Over the next few days, treated spots will darken before naturally flaking away, revealing brighter, clearer skin underneath. Full face treatments typically involve a few days of downtime as your skin renews itself.

Most patients achieve their best results with a series of 3-6 treatments.

General Pre-Care:

  • Avoid Sun Exposure
    No sun exposure, tanning beds, or self-tanners for at least 4 weeks before treatment. IPL cannot be performed on tanned or sunburned skin.
  • Stop Active Ingredients
    Discontinue retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and exfoliating products 7-14 days before treatment to prevent over-sensitivity.
  • No Chemical Peels or Collagen
    Avoid chemical peels, collagen injections, or waxing for 2 weeks prior to treatment to prevent skin irritation.
  • Avoid Blood Thinners
    Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E for 7 days to minimize bruising (consult your doctor before stopping prescribed medications).
  • Check Medications
    Inform provider of all medications, especially photosensitizing drugs (antibiotics like doxycycline, Accutane, isotretinoin) that increase sun sensitivity and reaction risk.
  • Disclose Medical Conditions
    Inform practitioner about any skin conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or medications that may interact with treatment for safety assessment.
  • Clean Skin Required
    Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin. No perfume, deodorant, lotions, or irritating products on treatment day.
  • Required Consultation
    New patients must have a consultation before booking IPL to ensure candidacy, assess skin type, and discuss realistic expectations.

General Post-Care:

  • Apply Ice Immediately
    Use ice packs or cool washcloth for 4-6 hours after treatment. Skin will feel like sunburn during this time—this is normal.
  • Expect Darkening
    Treated brown spots will darken dramatically over 24-48 hours before naturally peeling off in 7-14 days. This darkening is a positive sign treatment is working.
  • Don't Pick or Scrub
    Never pick, scratch, or manually remove darkening pigment. Let it flake off naturally to avoid scarring, infection, or permanent hyperpigmentation.
  • Gentle Cleansing Only
    Use lukewarm water and cleanser for sensitive skin. Avoid hot water, harsh products, and exfoliants for 1 week post-treatment.
  • Moisturize Frequently
    Apply gentle, fragrance-free moisturizing lotion multiple times daily to support healing and prevent dryness and discomfort.
  • Critical Sun Protection
    Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 4 weeks. Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ with physical blocker (zinc oxide) daily. Reapply every 2 hours, even indoors or on cloudy days.
  • No Heat for 48 Hours
    Avoid hot showers, saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and strenuous exercise for 48 hours to prevent increased swelling and irritation.
  • Wait for Makeup
    Don't apply makeup if skin hurts or feels sensitive. Wait 24 hours minimum, then use only mineral-based makeup products.
  • Skip Active Ingredients
    Avoid retinoids, acids, and exfoliants for 7-10 days. Your provider will tell you when it's safe to resume normal skincare routine.
  • Avoid Harsh Products
    Don't use exfoliating or harsh skin products for several days as skin will be more sensitive and vulnerable to irritation.
  • Protect Treated Skin
    Wear wide-brimmed hats and seek shade outdoors. Your skin is significantly more vulnerable to UV damage for several weeks post-treatment.

IPL Photofacial FAQ'S

IPL works best on fair to light brown skin (Fitzpatrick types I-IV). You're a good candidate if you have sun damage, age spots, freckles, rosacea, redness, or broken capillaries and haven't been in the sun recently. IPL is NOT recommended for very dark skin tones, recently tanned skin, active sunburn, pregnancy, keloid scarring, active skin infections, or if you're taking photosensitizing medications like Accutane, isotretinoin, or doxycycline. You should also avoid IPL if you have certain skin conditions, allergies, or might have skin cancer. A consultation is required for all new patients to determine candidacy, assess your skin type and concerns, and ensure safe, effective treatment.

With topical numbing cream applied 30-60 minutes before treatment, most patients find IPL very tolerable. Each pulse lasts just a fraction of a second. Sensitive areas like the nose or areas with thinner skin may be slightly more uncomfortable. After treatment, your skin will feel warm and sunburned for 4-6 hours. This discomfort is manageable with ice packs, cool washcloths, and over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.

IPL is safe when performed by trained professionals. Common temporary side effects include redness, swelling, warmth (like sunburn), skin sensitivity, and darkening of pigmentation before it peels off—these typically subside within hours to a few days. Less common side effects include bruising (rare), blistering, crusting, temporary discoloration, or infection. Very rarely, hormonal brown spots (melasma) may flare up, or permanent hyperpigmentation can occur if post-care instructions aren't followed—especially regarding sun exposure. Scarring is extremely rare when proper protocols are followed. Following all pre- and post-care instructions carefully, avoiding sun exposure, and using high-SPF sunscreen minimizes risks and optimizes results.

You may notice some immediate improvement in skin brightness and tone right after treatment, but optimal results develop gradually. As pigmentation flakes off over 7-14 days and vessels are reabsorbed, you'll see progressive clearing. Most patients need 3-6 treatments spaced 2-4 weeks apart for optimal results, depending on severity of sun damage. . Results continue improving for several weeks after your final session as collagen production increases.

Two women shaking hands against a plain background. Radiance at Fluhme Medspa, Pittsburgh, PA Two women shaking hands against a plain background. Radiance at Fluhme Medspa, Pittsburgh, PA

Why Choose Radiance at Fluhme?

We make expert aesthetic care part of your everyday life.

Radiance at Fluhme is physician owned and led by a renowned board certified Plastic Surgeon and Tiffany Fluhme, Physician Associate, alongside a team of master injectors and aesthetic specialists.


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