Sun exposure leaves memories on more than just your calendar. Over time, it etches itself into your skin in the form of redness, brown spots, uneven tone, and broken capillaries that no amount of makeup can fully disguise. While these skin changes are common, they do not have to be permanent. At Refine, MD Northwest, under the expertise of Dr. McIntosh, advanced light-based treatments, such as IPL, offer a powerful way to reverse visible sun damage and restore clarity to the skin.
Intense Pulsed Light, commonly known as IPL, is a noninvasive treatment designed to target pigmentation and redness beneath the skin’s surface. Rather than covering imperfections, IPL works at the source, using controlled light energy to correct discoloration and promote a brighter, more even complexion. With Dr. McIntosh’s clinical expertise and Refine, MD’s commitment to personalized care, IPL has become a trusted solution for patients seeking meaningful skin renewal without surgery or prolonged downtime.
What Is IPL and How Does It Work
IPL is a light-based treatment that uses broad-spectrum pulses of light to target specific pigments within the skin. Unlike lasers that use a single wavelength, IPL delivers multiple wavelengths to treat a variety of concerns at once. This versatility makes it especially effective for addressing sun damage, redness, broken blood vessels, and uneven skin tone.
When IPL is applied to the skin, it is absorbed by areas of excess pigment or dilated blood vessels. The light energy converts to heat, which breaks down unwanted pigmentation and collapses visible vessels without harming the surrounding tissue. Over the weeks following treatment, the body naturally clears away the damaged cells to reveal clearer, brighter skin.
Because IPL works beneath the surface, it does more than just improve appearance. It also stimulates collagen production, supporting skin structure and long-term texture improvement. This combination of correction and rejuvenation is what makes IPL such a popular option for comprehensive skin renewal.
Why Sun Damage and Redness Develop Over Time
Sun damage does not happen overnight. It accumulates gradually through years of UV exposure, even on cloudy days or during routine daily activities. Ultraviolet radiation triggers excess melanin production, which leads to brown spots, freckles, and uneven pigmentation. It also weakens capillaries near the skin’s surface, resulting in redness and visible blood vessels.
Redness may also be influenced by genetic factors, rosacea, inflammation, and environmental triggers. Over time, these issues can intensify, making skin appear flushed, blotchy, or uneven. While topical skincare can help support skin health, it often cannot penetrate deeply enough to correct pigment and vascular concerns at their source.
IPL addresses these deeper layers where damage originates, making it an ideal solution for patients who feel their skin no longer reflects how healthy or youthful they feel.
Conditions IPL Can Treat
IPL is known for its ability to treat multiple skin concerns in a single session. This versatility makes it a popular choice for patients looking for noticeable improvement without multiple procedures.
Sunspots and age spots respond particularly well to IPL, as the light targets excess melanin and breaks it down gradually. Over the weeks following treatment, dark spots fade and blend more seamlessly with the surrounding skin.
Redness and broken capillaries are also prime targets for IPL. The light energy collapses dilated vessels to reduce flushing and visible redness. Patients with rosacea or chronic facial redness often notice significant improvement in skin tone and comfort.
IPL can also help improve uneven skin tone, dullness, and mild texture irregularities. By stimulating collagen and encouraging cell turnover, IPL leaves the skin looking brighter, smoother, and more refreshed overall.
What an IPL Treatment Feels Like
An IPL session is generally well tolerated and does not require anesthesia. Patients often describe the sensation as a quick snap of warmth against the skin, similar to a rubber band flick. Cooling technology built into the device helps keeps the skin comfortable throughout the treatment.
Sessions typically last between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the area being treated. Afterward, the skin may appear slightly pink or warm, similar to a mild sunburn. This usually subsides within a few hours.
Dark spots may temporarily darken before flaking off or fading over the next one to two weeks. Redness gradually diminishes as treated vessels are reabsorbed by the body. These changes are signs that the treatment is working beneath the surface.
Why IPL Is Ideal for Face, Neck, Chest, and Hands
IPL is commonly used in areas most exposed to the sun. The face is a popular treatment area, but the neck, chest, shoulders, and hands can also benefit greatly from IPL therapy. These areas often reveal sun damage earlier and more prominently than other areas of the body due to thinner skin and frequent exposure.
Treating multiple areas allows patients to achieve a more cohesive, youthful appearance. There is little benefit in having a radiant face if the neck and chest tell a different story. IPL offers a way to restore balance and consistency across visible areas of the body.
At Refine, MD, Dr. McIntosh carefully evaluates each patient’s skin to determine the best treatment areas and settings, ensuring safe and effective outcomes.
How Many IPL Sessions Are Needed
While some patients notice improvement after a single session, IPL typically works best as a series. Most patients benefit from three to five treatments spaced several weeks apart. This allows the skin to respond gradually and safely while maximizing results.
The number of sessions depends on the severity of sun damage, the level of redness, and individual skin response. Maintenance treatments may be recommended once or twice a year to preserve results and address new sun exposure over time.
Consistency is key. IPL offers progressive improvement, with each session building upon the last to reveal clearer, more even-toned skin.
IPL Versus Other Skin Treatments
IPL differs from traditional lasers in its ability to treat multiple concerns at once. While lasers often target a single issue, IPL addresses both pigment and vascular concerns in one treatment. This makes it an efficient option for patients with complex or mixed skin issues.
Compared to chemical peels or topical treatments, IPL penetrates deeper into the skin, allowing it to correct damage that surface treatments cannot reach. It is also less invasive than many laser treatments, with minimal downtime and a lower risk of complications when performed by experienced providers.
Dr. McIntosh and the team at Refine, MD often combine IPL with other treatments, such as medical-grade skincare, microneedling, or injectables, to enhance overall skin health and longevity.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IPL
IPL is best suited for individuals with lighter skin tones and visible sun damage or redness. It is not typically recommended for very dark skin tones due to the risk of pigment changes; however, a consultation is essential to determine candidacy.
Ideal candidates include patients with sunspots, freckles, broken capillaries, redness, or uneven tone who want a noninvasive solution with little downtime. Patients should be willing to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment and commit to proper skincare and sun protection.
At Refine, MD, every IPL treatment plan begins with a personalized consultation to ensure safety, effectiveness, and alignment with patient goals.
The Importance of Post Treatment Care
Proper aftercare plays a crucial role in achieving the best IPL results. Patients are advised to avoid sun exposure and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Gentle skincare and hydration help support healing and enhance results.
Medical-grade skincare products can further improve outcomes by supporting collagen production and maintaining an even complexion. Dr. McIntosh often recommends tailored skincare regimens to complement IPL and extend its benefits.
Protecting the skin after treatment not only preserves results but also prevents new damage from forming.
The Part You’ll Remember
Sun damage and redness may feel inevitable, but modern light-based treatments offer a powerful way to turn back the clock. IPL provides a targeted and effective solution that addresses the root causes of discoloration and vascular changes while supporting overall skin renewal.
Under the care of Dr. McIntosh at Refine, MD, IPL treatments are thoughtfully customized to each patient’s skin, goals, and lifestyle. With expert guidance, advanced technology, and a commitment to long-term skin health, IPL becomes more than a cosmetic treatment; it becomes a strategy for confidence, clarity, and lasting radiance.
If your skin is ready for visible renewal, then IPL may be the light-powered solution you have been waiting for.
For more information about Photorejuvenation IPL, contact Refine, MD Northwest at 425-654-2409. Dr. Bryan McIntosh can offer the guidance you need to receive a customized treatment. You can also fill out the online contact form, and we will get in touch with you soon!