Why fall is the time to start IPL in Ontario

How does IPL work on sun spots and redness?

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

Sun spot pigment sits at the base of the top layer of skin. For redness, the heat closes small blood vessels, and your body clears them over the following weeks.

What changes in the fall?

By October in Ontario, most of us spend less time in strong sun. Beach days, patios and long afternoons outside are behind us, and summer colour starts to fade.

With less strong sun in fall and winter, the aftercare is easier to follow: SPF 30+ daily and no direct sun for the first week after each session.

How does the timing work out?

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

A series that starts in the fall can be finished well before summer. Here is one way it might look:

• October: consultation and first session
• November and December: the next sessions, about a month apart
• January: a further session, if you need one

That leaves the rest of winter and spring for your skin to settle before the sun gets strong again. Results vary from person to person and build over the series.

What sun care do I need after IPL?

For the first week after each session, wear SPF 30+ daily and stay out of direct sun. Pause actives like retinol, exfoliating acids and vitamin C, and we'll tell you when to restart them.

Short, cool days make that easier than in summer.

Which concerns suit a fall start?

Fall timing helps most with the concerns IPL treats:

• Sun spots and brown patches on the face, chest or hands. See Pigmentation & sun damage.
• Redness, flushing and visible vessels. See Redness & rosacea.
• Uneven, blotchy tone left by years of summers outdoors.

We check your skin at the consultation and confirm whether IPL is suitable. Melasma needs an assessment first, because IPL can make it worse.

What is the recovery like in cooler months?

Each IPL pulse feels like a quick, warm snap, a bit like an elastic band. No time off is needed, and your skin may look flushed and feel warm or sensitive for a day or two.

Treated sun spots darken for a few days, then gradually fade or flake off over one to two weeks. In the fall, that happens while the sun is low.

How much does IPL cost per session?

IPL for sun spots and pigmentation is from $100 per session, depending on the area. IPL for redness and rosacea is from $299 per session, and IPL for Skin rejuvenation is from $299.

All prices match our booking system exactly, and you can see them on our prices page. At the consultation we'll tell you how many sessions you'll need and the price.

How do I start?

Every treatment begins with a 30-minute one-on-one consultation. We look at your skin, check whether you have any lingering summer tan, and confirm that IPL is a good fit.

If you still have a tan, we may suggest waiting a little before your first session. Our studio is in Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and convenient for Burlington, Grimsby, Ancaster and Dundas.