If you’re looking to reduce sun damage, redness, or uneven skin tone with minimal downtime, IPL Photofacial treatment at Essex MedSpa in Littleton may be exactly what your skin needs. Our experienced team of aesthetic professionals uses cutting-edge Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology to deliver powerful, visible improvements for a wide range of skin concerns. We serve patients across Littleton, Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, and surrounding areas with personalized care and trusted results.
Reveal Healthier, More Even Skin With IPL
An IPL Photofacial uses broad-spectrum light to target discoloration, redness, and visible sun damage just beneath the skin’s surface. The energy gently heats the dermis while leaving the top layer of skin intact, stimulating collagen production and helping you achieve smoother, more radiant skin over time.
Whether you’re hoping to reduce brown spots from sun exposure, calm facial redness from rosacea, or restore a brighter, more even skin tone, IPL can be a safe and effective solution — with no need for extensive downtime.
What IPL Photofacial Can Treat
IPL is ideal for improving a variety of common skin concerns, including:
- Brown spots and sun damage
- Redness and visible blood vessels
- Uneven skin tone or blotchiness
- Rosacea and flushing
- Freckles and pigmentation irregularities
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines and dull texture
IPL treatments are most commonly performed on the face, but can also be used on the neck, chest, shoulders, and hands — areas that frequently show signs of sun exposure.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IPL?
IPL is best suited for individuals with light to medium skin tones who struggle with sun-related pigmentation, redness, or blotchiness. You may be a good candidate if:
- You have sunspots, age spots, or facial redness
- You’re not currently tanning or using self-tanners
- You’re not pregnant or nursing
- You are not currently using Accutane or have stopped use for 12+ months
- You’re in good general health and have realistic expectations
Patients with deeper skin tones may not be ideal candidates for IPL due to the risk of pigmentation changes. We’ll assess your skin in person to determine if IPL is right for you, or if an alternative treatment like Laser Genesis or Morpheus8 is a better fit.
What to Expect During and After IPL Treatment
Each IPL session takes approximately 30 minutes, with some variation depending on the size and location of the treatment area. You may feel a quick, warm pulse with each flash of light—many patients compare it to a rubber band snap. There’s no need for numbing or anesthesia.
After treatment, you might experience mild redness and warmth, similar to a light sunburn, which typically fades within 24–48 hours. Brown spots will temporarily darken before flaking off naturally over the following week.
We typically recommend a series of 3–5 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart for optimal results. Many patients also choose occasional maintenance treatments every 6–12 months to keep their skin looking bright and clear.
IPL vs. Other Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
Not sure whether IPL is the best option? Here’s how it compares:
- IPL vs. Chemical Peels: Peels exfoliate the outer layer of skin and help with texture and clarity, but don’t target redness or pigmentation as precisely as IPL.
- IPL vs. Microneedling: Microneedling boosts collagen and smooths texture, but doesn’t use light energy or directly treat pigmentation.
- IPL vs. Laser Resurfacing: Laser treatments (like fractional CO₂) are more aggressive and can deliver deeper correction, but involve more downtime.
If your skin concerns include surface-level pigmentation, facial redness, or uneven tone, IPL may be the most efficient and comfortable option.
Best Time of Year for IPL Treatments
Fall and winter are ideal times for IPL because there’s less sun exposure. Since your skin will be more photosensitive after treatment, minimizing UV contact helps reduce risks and ensures better, longer-lasting results. If you’ve recently spent time in the sun, you’ll need to wait at least 1–2 weeks before beginning IPL treatment.
How to Prepare and Care for Your Skin
Before Your Appointment:
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning (beds or self-tanner) for at least 1–2 weeks
- Discontinue Retin-A, retinol, and exfoliating products 7 days prior
- No recent chemical peels or laser procedures within 6–8 weeks
- Let us know if you’re pregnant, nursing, or taking medications like Accutane
After Your Treatment:
- Expect redness, warmth, and darkened pigment for a few days
- Avoid heat (hot tubs, saunas) and sun exposure for 48+ hours
- Use gentle skincare and broad-spectrum SPF daily
- Don’t pick or exfoliate flaking areas—let your skin shed naturally
We’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions at your appointment to keep your skin protected and your results on track.
Why Choose Essex MedSpa for IPL in Littleton?
At Essex MedSpa, we combine medical-grade technology with a warm, personalized approach. Our experienced aesthetic professionals tailor every IPL treatment to your skin type, lifestyle, and goals, ensuring both safety and satisfaction. We’ve helped hundreds of patients from Littleton, Lakewood, and Highlands Ranch restore clearer, more radiant skin with this trusted light-based therapy.
Schedule Your IPL Photofacial Consultation
Ready to refresh your skin and reduce sun damage, redness, or discoloration? Schedule a personalized consultation with Essex MedSpa in Littleton. Our team is here to help you glow with confidence.
Contact us today or call (303) 973‑3683 to book your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily used on the face but can also be used to treat the neck, chest, and hands.
After a series of four or five facial laser treatments, you will notice improved skin tone, decreased sun damage and reduced pore size. The time between treatments is about four weeks.
Photofacial results are noticeable after even one treatment. Improvement in your skin will continue over the weeks following your treatment. The results are long-lasting and are most noticeable after repeat treatment sessions. With a good skin care regimen, results may last up to 2 years.
Treatment sessions may take a few minutes to 30 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.
With each pulse of light, which lasts less than a second, you may notice a slight tingling sensation. No anesthesia is required.
Yes. You should avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and the use of self-tanning lotion for at least two weeks prior to your facial laser treatment.
No. You are able to return to normal activities immediately following the photofacial treatment. You should avoid hot tubs and saunas while the skin is red. It is recommended that you avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanning lotion in the areas treated for two months after treatment. Detailed aftercare instructions will be provided by your skin care professional at the time of your treatment.
You may notice some mild redness after the treatment that will resolve over 24 to 48 hours. Occasionally mild swelling is present as well. On rare occasions, pigment changes may occur.
IPL is typically safest for Fitzpatrick skin types I–III. For deeper skin tones (types IV–VI), the risk of post-treatment pigmentation is higher. We’ll evaluate your skin during your consultation and may recommend alternatives if needed.
IPL uses broad-spectrum light to treat redness and pigmentation, while laser resurfacing uses a focused beam to remove layers of skin for deeper wrinkle and texture correction. IPL is gentler with less downtime.
Yes, IPL can reduce redness and discoloration from post-acne marks. For deeper scarring, we may recommend microneedling or Morpheus8 for best results.
