Skin pigmentation is broadly divided into two categories:
Hyper-pigmentation: when the affected parts of the skin have darker colour as compared to the surrounding skin
Hypo-pigmentation: when the affected parts of the skin have lighter colour as compared to the surrounding skin
Both hyper and hypo-pigmentation are harmless and rarely pose any potential threat to the sufferer, but they don’t look aesthetically good. 99% of people seeking pigmentation treatment want to get the blemishes treated because of cosmetic reasons.
Luckily there is a really effective cosmetic procedure available to help you significantly eliminate darker patches of skin and get an even skin tone, and that is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy or Laser Photo rejuvenation. IPL works on the same principle as lasers, i.e. it works by targeting dark pigment in the skin. Pigmented cells of your skin absorb light energy delivered by the pulsating beams of light and heat up. Heating breaks concentrated melanin in the inner layers of skin without affecting the top layer (epidermis).
IPL therapy is a simple and safe procedure but only when performed by an experienced clinician. A topical aesthetic is applied to the area of treatment 15 to 20 minutes prior to the procedure to numb the area. After washing the numbing cream, cold gel is applied to the entire area to avoid skin burns. Latest IPL machines have integrated cooling systems and in this case topical cold gel is not applied. Then the hand piece of the IPL machine is applied to the skin, delivering pulsating light beams of specific wavelengths.
A typical IPL session generally lasts 20 to 25 minutes, however, it may vary depending on the size of the area of treatment and the extent of pigmentation. Deep pigmentation needs more time as compared to superficial pigmentation, affecting only the top few layers of skin. Generally 4 to 6 sessions, each 3 to 6 weeks apart, are needed for maximum results.
The best thing about IPL is that it involves virtually no downtime. Most patients get the procedure done in lunch break and return to work immediately after getting the treatment. However, you need to be very careful about sunlight exposure. Avoid sun exposure before and after getting IPL therapy. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen when going out even on a cloudy day.