Sun exposure, redness, and uneven tone can quietly change the way skin looks over time. IPL at Marvel Cosmetic MedSpa in Brentwood uses targeted light technology to help restore clarity, balance, and a more even complexion.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is an advanced light-based treatment used to improve a variety of cosmetic skin concerns, including discoloration and sun-induced damage. Unlike traditional lasers that rely on a single, concentrated wavelength, IPL delivers broad-spectrum light to precisely target multiple chromophores in the skin, making it highly effective for treating pigment irregularities, redness, and visible vessels on the face, neck, chest, and hands.
Often called a "photofacial," IPL helps minimize uneven tone and dullness, revealing a clearer, more luminous, photo-ready complexion.
This gentle treatment is suitable for ongoing maintenance and can be tailored to a wide range of skin types, tones, and aesthetic goals.
IPL therapy is our favorite solution for stubborn age spots and sunspots on the face, neck, chest, and hands.
It can also soften fine lines and wrinkles, improve acne and pigmentation, and reduce redness from rosacea or visible vessels. Most clients heal within about a week, though timelines vary. For optimal, longer-lasting results, a personalized series of IPL sessions is usually recommended. Book a complimentary consultation to find out whether IPL is right for your skin.
Your IPL journey starts with a one-on-one consultation to confirm the treatment is safe and effective for your unique skin tone, texture, and concerns.
On treatment day, your provider gently cleanses your skin and applies a cooling gel to enhance comfort and help conduct the light pulses. You'll wear protective eyewear throughout the session.
Using a handheld IPL device, your specialist delivers controlled flashes of light to the targeted areas. Most people describe the feeling as a quick snap or warm flick. Sessions usually take under 30 minutes, and you can resume normal activities right away.
IPL is a versatile option designed to visibly reduce a wide range of pigmentation and redness-related concerns, including:
IPL delivers visible skin rejuvenation with little interruption to your routine. With a personalized treatment plan, many clients notice long-lasting improvements in clarity, tone, and overall radiance that help them feel more confident with less reliance on heavy makeup.
Clearer, more even-looking skin tone
Softened redness, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation
Smoother texture and a brighter surface glow
A fresher, more youthful-looking complexion
Little to no downtime between treatment sessions
IPL skin rejuvenation is typically ideal for individuals with lighter complexions (Fitzpatrick I–III) who are bothered by sun spots, redness, visible vessels, or uneven pigmentation caused by sun exposure and aging.
If you have a deeper skin tone or a recent tan (including from tanning beds), another treatment option may be recommended to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation. Those with active skin infections, recent sunburns, or who are taking certain medications (such as Accutane) may also need to postpone treatment. During your consultation, your provider will review your complete skin history and goals to create a safe, customized plan.
After your IPL session, you may notice temporary redness, warmth, swelling, or general skin sensitivity, much like a mild sunburn. These effects typically fade within a few hours to a day.
Dark spots can appear more pronounced before they gradually flake away as fresh skin emerges. Protect your results by avoiding direct sun and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. Most normal activities can be resumed right away, but wait 24 hours before applying makeup or using active products like retinol, exfoliating acids, or scrubs.
Many clients notice subtle changes after a single IPL session, but the most transformative results typically appear after a series of 3 to 5 treatments, scheduled about four weeks apart. This gradual approach allows your skin to respond, heal, and renew between visits for a more consistent outcome.
As discoloration fades and redness diminishes, your complexion can appear clearer, brighter, and more even-toned. With ongoing collagen stimulation, IPL may also soften the look of fine lines, refine texture, and create a smoother, more luminous surface that continues to improve over time.
The team at Marvel Cosmetic MedSpa offers expertly delivered IPL treatments that emphasize both safety and visible results.
Each session is thoughtfully customized to your individual skin type, tone, and goals, helping you enjoy a smoother, brighter complexion with confidence. With meticulous protocols and a patient-focused approach, Marvel Cosmetic MedSpa in Brentwood is a trusted choice for personalized skin care and naturally luminous outcomes.
Most patients notice visible improvements after a series of 3–5 sessions, typically spaced about 4 weeks apart. The exact number of treatments depends on your skin type, the depth of pigmentation or redness, and how your skin responds over time. Maintenance sessions may be recommended to preserve your results.
Many people describe the sensation as a quick, warm snap against the skin, similar to a light rubber band flick. Discomfort is usually brief and very tolerable. A cooling gel and built-in device cooling are used to enhance comfort, and most patients do not require any numbing.
IPL can improve discoloration left behind by acne, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or lingering redness. However, it is not considered a primary solution for deeper, indented acne scars. In those cases, microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, or laser resurfacing are often more appropriate and may be combined with IPL for comprehensive results.
Downtime is minimal for most patients. You may experience temporary redness, mild swelling, or darkening of brown spots for several days as they rise to the surface before flaking off. Makeup can usually be worn the next day, and most people return to normal daily activities right away while avoiding direct sun exposure.
The most commonly treated areas include the face, neck, chest, and hands, since these regions tend to show the most sun exposure and visible aging. IPL can also be used on the arms, shoulders, and other body areas with sun damage, redness, or uneven pigmentation, as long as the skin is not tanned.
Chemical peels are generally preferred for improving surface texture, fine lines, and certain types of acne scarring by exfoliating the outer layers of skin. IPL treatments are ideal for targeting redness, broken capillaries, sun spots, and other pigment issues by focusing light energy on blood vessels and melanin. In many cases, a customized combination of both can deliver the most balanced, comprehensive rejuvenation.
Yes. Intense pulsed light can be used to reduce unwanted hair by targeting pigment within the hair follicle. It tends to work best for individuals with lighter skin tones and darker hair, where there is a strong contrast between skin and hair color. During your consultation, your provider can review whether IPL or a dedicated laser hair removal system is the better choice for your skin and hair type.
