IPL Photofacial: What It Is, What It Fixes, and Who It's For
You know that moment in a bright bathroom when you suddenly see every sunspot, every patch of uneven tone, every bit of redness that your day-to-day mirror has been hiding? That's what IPL is for.
If you've spent time in the California sun (and if you live in San Francisco or Marin, you've had years of it), you're probably noticing the cumulative damage starting to show. Not dramatically, not all at once, but as a general dulling. A few spots that weren't there five years ago. Redness that doesn't go away. That almost-glowing quality your skin had in your 20s that just feels less present now.
Skincare can maintain. IPL corrects.
What's actually happening during treatment
IPL delivers pulses of broad-spectrum light into the skin. Unlike a laser, which targets a single specific wavelength, IPL covers a range, which makes it effective for multiple concerns at once.
Sunspots and hyperpigmentation: the light targets excess melanin in those cells. The spots will actually darken in the days following treatment before they flake away. This looks alarming if you don't know to expect it, but it means it's working.
Redness and rosacea: IPL targets hemoglobin in dilated vessels, reducing chronic flushing and the visible capillaries that create persistent redness.
Overall clarity: repeated treatments stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture in ways that accumulate over time.
What it feels like
A rubber band snap, repeated across the treatment area. It's not comfortable, but it's fast. A full-face treatment runs about 20-30 minutes. We use a cooling gel throughout, and most clients describe it as very tolerable.
The week after
The spots get darker before they get lighter. This is normal, expected, and temporary. They'll flake away over 7-14 days. Redness and swelling are usually minimal and resolve within 24 hours. You'll want to avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before treatment and wear SPF religiously after. This is non-negotiable.
How many sessions
Most clients see meaningful improvement after a series of 3 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart. Maintenance once or twice a year keeps results going and catches new damage before it accumulates.
Who it's right for, and who it's not
IPL works best on lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick I–III). It's not recommended during pregnancy or for anyone with an active tan. At your consultation I'll look at your skin and tell you honestly if IPL is the right tool, or if something else would give you better results.
We offer IPL for the face, face + neck, and chest, starting at $300.
Book an IPL consultation at ParlourRx. Serving San Francisco and Sausalito.
