IPL: Bringing a Youthful Look Back to Your Hands
Feb 2010
Written by Dr. Keith W. Schumann
What am I looking at?
These two hands (at left) show the regenerative power of laser skin care treatments. The brown sun spots that many of us have on our hands can be removed with two 10-minute non-invasive IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments. On this patient, the treated hand is clear while the untreated hand remains spotted.
Why rejuvenate the hands?
Your hands are often one of the first things people notice upon meeting you. Repairing sun damage to the hands with a series of IPL laser treatments can contribute to a more youthful look.
How does IPL work?
IPL systems are based on the same principles as lasers in that light energy is selectively absorbed by targeted cells. The light energy is converted to heat, which causes thermal damage to these cells, resulting in smooth, even skin color and tone.
How much downtime?
One advantage of IPL is that it’s a non-ablative technique, which means that it targets the lower layers of skin without affecting the top layers of skin. The result is minimal downtime—you can usually return to work or social activities immediately afterwards.
Who performs IPL treatments?
It is recommended that patients see a board-certified dermatologist with advanced training in lasers.
