How to prepare for your first IPL appointment

What is IPL?

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Our device, the Candela Nordlys IPL, sends filtered light into the skin in quick pulses.

Blood in small vessels and pigment at the base of the top layer of skin (the colour in sun spots) absorb that light and turn it into heat. For redness, the heat closes the small vessels.

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

Why does the consultation come first?

Every treatment starts with the 30-minute one-on-one consultation. We look at your skin, ask about your health and skin history, and check that IPL is a good fit for you.

This is also where we give you the preparation details that apply to your skin, such as how long to avoid the sun beforehand. By the end, we'll tell you how many sessions you'll need and the price.

IPL for Skin rejuvenation is from $299 per session, and every treatment is listed on our prices page.

Why should I avoid tanning before IPL?

A tan adds pigment to your skin, and IPL light is absorbed by pigment. That is why we check for a tan before treatment.

Before your appointment:

• Avoid sunbathing and deliberate tanning.
• Skip sunbeds completely.
• Don't use self-tanner on the area.
• Wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days.

We'll confirm how long to avoid tanning at your consultation. If you arrive with a tan, we may need to move your appointment to protect your skin.

What should I tell you before treatment?

Some things change whether IPL is right for you or when to go ahead. Please tell us about:

• Medications, including anything new. If you've taken isotretinoin, a prescription acne medication often sold as Accutane, tell us, because it affects when treatment can start.
• Recent skin treatments, such as peels, laser or other procedures.
• Pregnancy, or if you might be pregnant.
• Pigment problems, such as dark marks that have appeared after spots, cuts or past treatments.

If something changes between your consultation and your appointment, let us know before you come in. It's always better to mention something that turns out not to matter.

How should I arrive on the day?

Come with clean skin and no makeup on the area we're treating. If you're coming straight from work, you're welcome to cleanse when you arrive, but starting clean is quicker.

If you have questions about your usual skincare before the appointment, ask us at your consultation. We'd rather answer them ahead of time than have you guess.

What does IPL feel like?

Most people describe each pulse as a quick, warm snap, a bit like an elastic band against the skin. The session moves along steadily, pulse by pulse across the area, and if anything feels too uncomfortable, tell us and we'll pause.

What happens to my skin afterwards?

No time off is needed. Your skin may look flushed and feel warm or sensitive for a day or two.

If we've treated sun spots, they darken for a few days, then gradually fade or flake off over one to two weeks. Let them come away on their own rather than picking or scrubbing.

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

How many IPL sessions will I need?

Redness usually takes about four IPL sessions, 2–4 weeks apart, and sun spots a series about a month apart. The number depends on what we're treating, such as Redness & rosacea or Pigmentation & sun damage, and how your skin responds.

Results build over the series and vary from person to person. You can see before and after photos on our results page.