Does IPL hurt? What a session actually feels like

What does IPL feel like on the skin?

Each pulse of light lasts a fraction of a second. You feel a quick flash of warmth and a light snap, then it is gone.

Some areas feel a little stronger than others. Spots that are darker or more red can feel warmer, because they absorb more of the light.

Why does IPL feel warm?

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Our Candela Nordlys IPL sends filtered light into the skin in short pulses, and red blood vessels and brown pigment (the colour in sun spots) absorb that light and turn it into heat.

For redness, that heat closes the small vessels. For sun spots, the light is absorbed by pigment at the base of the top layer of skin. You can read more about the device on our IPL technology page.

What happens during a session?

Before anything else, every new client has a one-on-one consultation. It takes 30 minutes. We assess your skin and check that IPL is a good fit.

At that consultation we tell you how many sessions you'll need and the price. We also explain what the session will feel like, so the first pulse isn't a surprise.

The treatment itself works one pulse at a time across the area. Each pulse is a quick, warm snap, and then we move on to the next spot. Most people find the time passes quickly.

Is IPL more uncomfortable than laser treatment?

Our other device, the Frax 1550, works differently. It is a non-ablative fractional laser that treats thousands of microscopic columns of skin and leaves the skin between them intact, which prompts new collagen.

For Frax 1550, we apply numbing cream first. If you are curious about it, our Frax 1550 page explains how it works.

How does skin feel after IPL?

Your skin may look flushed and feel warm or sensitive for a day or two, and most people go straight back to work. If we treated sun spots, they darken for a few days, then gradually fade or flake off over one to two weeks.

After Redness & rosacea treatment, redness can look slightly worse for a few days before it starts to fade, which is normal. Your body clears the treated vessels over the following weeks. For sun spots, see Pigmentation & sun damage.

Does it feel the same every session?

Redness usually takes about four sessions, 2–4 weeks apart. Sun spots take a series of sessions about a month apart, and we set the exact number at your consultation.

Each session feels much like the last: a series of quick, warm snaps. Results vary from person to person and build over the series.

How should I prepare for IPL?

A few simple steps help:

• Wear SPF 30+ daily. For the first week after treatment, wear it every day and stay out of direct sun.
• Pause actives afterwards. For the first week, pause retinol, exfoliating acids and vitamin C. We'll tell you when to restart them.
• Ask questions at your consultation. Knowing what to expect makes the first pulse feel familiar.

Fall and winter, with less strong sun, make that sun advice easier to follow.

Is IPL suitable for every skin tone?

We check your skin at the consultation and confirm whether IPL is suitable. If it isn't the right fit, we say so.

You will know before any treatment starts. Our studio is in Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and convenient for Burlington, Grimsby, Ancaster and Dundas.