What to expect from IPL treatment for brown spots in Westlake, OH

Associates in Dermatology in Westlake, OH offer a number of treatments for brown spots. Treatments to get rid of dark spots may include lasers, chemical peels, or topical products. During a consultation with an experienced provider, a customized treatment plan is created based on the patient’s skin type and skin care needs. For many patients, intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is an effective treatment to reduce the signs of sun damage or aging.

Chronic sun exposure damages the skin and makes patients look older. IPL therapy focuses light energy on specific areas of the skin. It treats irregular skin discolorations, brown or red spots, sun damage, and small veins or broken capillaries. The treatment produces more even skin texture.

How IPL therapy works

Over time and with exposure to the sun, dark spots begin to appear on the skin. Intense pulsed light treatments are used to minimize skin discolorations and to produce brighter, more even skin tone and texture. A range of wavelengths of light energy target the discoloration. The energy heats the targeted areas breaking up the dark spots. Filters are used to block wavelengths that may damage the skin meaning normal or undamaged skin remains unharmed by the light energy.

When performed under the guidance of a medical professional, IPL therapy is safe and effective. Benefits of intense pulsed light therapy include the following:

• Gets rid of brown spots such as age or liver spots and freckles
• Requires little to no downtime 
• Is safe with minimal risks
• Treats sun spots, broken capillaries, and rosacea
• Improves the appearance of sun damaged or wrinkled skin

What to expect

During an IPL treatment, the energy heats and destroys pigmented skin cells. After the treatment, the destroyed cells rise to the surface, darken, and flake off. This darkening and flaking process can take several weeks. The flaking is part of the healing process and must be completed before another treatment is performed. Although patients may notice improvement with a single treatment, most require a series of 3-4 treatments for optimal results. Little to no downtime is required. Treatments are performed in less than an hour and are repeated every four weeks.

IPL therapy is a safe, effective treatment for brown spots. Since only discolorations or dark spots are targeted, the treatment is very precise. Side effects are rare and usually temporary. The most common side effect is redness or flushing from the treatment which fades within a few hours. Patients can return to work and resume their normal activities after treatments. 

After treatments to get rid of dark spots, skin care is important. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen daily to protect the skin against new brown spots and to reduce the possibility of a recurrence of spots in the treated areas. IPL treatments help smooth and brighten the skin. A good skincare routine is necessary to maintain the results. 

To schedule an appointment for treatment for brown spots, contact the team at Associates in Dermatology in Westlake, OH. Call (440) 482-8323.