How long will IPL results last?

Author: Dr. Sigrid Anderson  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Photofacial or IPL treatment results can normally last for around a year, but with proper maintenance treatments, you can make your results last for much longer. This procedure is designed to help treat hyperpigmentation, whether from acne scars, age spots, or just an overproduction of melanin.

Does IPL have permanent results?

Many people report they achieve permanent hair reduction after just a few treatments. However, some people may require touch-ups every few years to keep those hair bulbs from sprouting out new follicles. IPL hair removal treatments are a great way to achieve long-lasting results without the hassle of shaving or waxing.

How to tell if an IPL is working?

You will notice that the hair growth after four weeks of IPL treatment will be lesser and thinner. After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed.

How long does it take for brown spots to fade after IPL?

What are the common side effects of IPL? The most common (and expected) side effect is a darkening of the more superficial brown spots of the areas being treating. This darkening of superficial brown spots will flake off after about 7-14 days.

Is IPL effective long term?

The immediate result comes with the decrease in discoloration, but the long term (“maintenance”) result in getting IPL regularly is that it really helps to keep the skin looking younger and healthy, help promote collagen growth, prevent effects of sun damage, and give the skin that healthy glow.

Permanently Remove Body Hair FAST At Home! Laser is Better Than IPL!

What is the downside of IPL?

One of the most significant concerns associated with IPL treatment is the risk of burns or skin discoloration, particularly in people with darker skin tones. This risk stems from the procedure's reliance on light absorption, which can lead to excessive heat in areas with higher melanin concentrations.

Does IPL age your skin?

The IPL Photofacial is a skin treatment that can reduce the appearance of damage and subtract years from your complexion. IPL, also known as Intense Pulsed Light therapy or the photo facial, uses cutting edge technology to produce younger-looking skin that's firmer and more even in tone and texture.

Does pigmentation come back after IPL?

Indeed, following laser treatments for pigmentation, there is a possibility of the pigmentation returning. This can occur due to various elements like exposure to sunlight, shifts in hormones, and the unique reactions of an individual's skin.

Is IPL really worth it?

Some scientific studies have shown that IPL can effectively reduce redness associated with rosacea. Other studies have confirmed that IPL can significantly improve facial skin with fine wrinkles, uneven texture, and dark spots.

How long does it take for capillaries to disappear after IPL?

As a general rule, the smaller the capillaries, the quicker they are to clear up. Typically, you won't start seeing results until two to four weeks after the first treatment, as it can take the body's lymphatic system that long to remove the dead material.

Can I overuse an IPL?

Overusing an IPL device is a major no-no. It can lead to side effects that range from minor irritation to long-term skin damage.

Why am I not seeing results from IPL?

Your IPL Treatment Schedule is Off

We recommend doing at-home IPL treatment once a week for twelve weeks, or twice a week for six weeks. If you've been doing IPL for a long time but had long gaps in between treatments, that might make it so you don't see results as quickly.

How much does IPL cost?

IPL session prices can vary widely, from about $200 to $1200 per session. This broad range is due to factors such as the size of the treatment area and the specific skin concerns being addressed. For example, a full-face treatment might cost more than targeting a smaller area like the hands or neck.

Can you see results after 1 IPL?

Your first IPL session can indeed bring noticeable changes to your skin, particularly if you're dealing with pigmentation or redness. While some improvements might be visible quite quickly, it's crucial to manage your expectations and understand that multiple sessions often yield more pronounced results.

Can I use IPL on pubic hair?

First things first, let's answer a pressing question: can you use IPL on the bikini area safely? Yes, you can! That is, as long as you have a device, like the Philips Lumea IPL 9000 Series, that has a specific attachment designed to work with the contours of this area of your body.

Does IPL tighten skin?

While IPL is especially useful for reducing pigmentation in the skin, the heat it generates can stimulate cell turnover and collagen production in the skin. This can have the effect of tightening areas of loose, crepey or lax skin and smoothing fine wrinkles.

What do dermatologists say about IPL?

How effective is IPL? The results of IPL treatments vary from person to person, but studies have shown that they can effectively treat sun damage, age spots, and other skin conditions. We usually recommend a course of three sessions spaced one month apart with a maintenance session every six months to one year.

What is the downside of IPL treatment?

Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.

What is the success rate of IPL?

In a retrospective study of patients with refractory dry eye who had exhausted conventional treatment and elected to receive intense pulsed light and meibomian gland expression (IPL/MGX), 58% of patients' symptoms improved from as much as 25% to more than 50% after treatment.

Which is better, IPL or microneedling?

IPL Photofacial is More Effective at Treating Melasma

Microneedling, on the other hand, promotes collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles—but it's not as effective at treating melasma.

How often should you do IPL?

Most patients are recommended to undergo at least three sessions of IPL therapy scheduled at four-week intervals. While the four-week intervals may seem arbitrary, they are in fact specifically timed match the skin's natural regeneration process.

Does IPL remove dark spots permanently?

For permanent results, the most effective treatments for removing brown spots on the skin is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial Treatment. IPL dark spot removal has minimal to no side effects.

Does IPL destroy collagen?

In conclusion, IPL works to remove wrinkles by stimulating collagen production, rejuvenating the skin, and using targeted light energy to address specific concerns.

Who is not a good candidate for IPL?

Who's not a good candidate for IPL photofacials? People with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4-6) or tanned skin and people with deep wrinkles, scars or severe acne or active rosacea.

What does IPL do for the neck?

Repair and Maintenance of Skin Texture: The light energy from IPL treatments can help to gently exfoliate the skin and remove damaged cells, encouraging the growth of new, healthy skin cells in their place. This renewal process can improve the skin's texture and tone, making it look more vibrant and smooth.

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