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Intense pulsed light is the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light over a range of wavelengths from 500 nm to 1200 nm. Xenon flashlamps produce high output bursts of broad spectrum. Cooling is used to protect the skin in contact with the device.

Regulations governing IPL vary by jurisdiction. "Intense Pulsed Light" is not a registered trademark. A distinction is sometimes made between beauty-grade and medical-grade machines, mainly to get around regulations. Under the CE marking system no such distinction exists.

The first FDA approval of IPL was for telanqiectasias in 1995. Use quickly spread to a variety of medical and cosmetic settings. Treatment is generally safe and effective, but complications can occur such as hyperpigmentation. The  polychromatic light can reach multiple chromophores in human skin: mainly hemogolobin, water, and melanin. This results in selective photothermolysis of the target, which can be blood vessels, pigmented cells, or hair follicles.

Technical Specifications

There is a universally recognised numerical table known as the Fitzpatrick scale which rates skin tones by their response to UV light (from 1 - 6).  If you fall in the 1 - 4 range then IPL should be good for you. 

If you are planning to go to a salon for professional treatments, then the practitioner will advise you.

If you are planning to buy a device for use at home, then it should have an inbuilt skin tone sensor which you must use prior to each treatment.  This automatically stops the device from working if it detects an unsuitable, unsafe skin tone.

In addition to skin tone, you need to take into account the colour of your hair.  IPL is not effective for anyone with light blond, white, grey or red hair.

Some conditions preclude the use of IPL for safe hair removal:

 

• Skin conditions - such as psoriasis or if your skin is photosensitive, if you are being treated for any chronic skin disorder check with your dermatologist first
• Tanned skin - never use IPL on tanned or sunburnt skin - you will need to wait several weeks until the tanning has faded completely.  This also applies to fake tan.
• Pregnancy - IPL is not advised during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding
• Tattoos - you should not treat tattooed skin with IPL
Moles - IPL is not suitable for removing hair from moles