IPL photofacial in London

What an IPL photofacial does

An IPL photofacial uses intense pulsed light, a broad spectrum of light delivered in short pulses, to treat the visible signs of sun damage and uneven tone. The light is absorbed by brown pigment and by small surface blood vessels, which then fade over the following weeks. The gentle warmth also encourages the skin to renew itself, so texture and fine lines often look softer across a course.

At our Islington clinic we use the UK-made Lynton IPL platform. An IPL photofacial is a skin rejuvenation treatment: it is different from IPL used for rosacea and thread veins, and from IPL hair removal, even though the same device family is used. The difference lies in the filters, settings and treatment plan, and in what we are trying to achieve. For a photofacial the aim is a more even, clearer complexion overall, rather than the removal of a single mark.

How intense pulsed light works on the skin

IPL is not a laser. A laser delivers a single wavelength of light; IPL delivers a range of wavelengths at once, filtered to suit the target. That breadth is what makes it useful for photo-ageing, because sun-damaged skin rarely has just one problem. Brown patches, fine redness and a slightly dull, uneven surface tend to appear together, and a photofacial can address all three in the same session.

Melanin in a sun spot and haemoglobin in a small vessel both absorb the light and convert it to heat. The pigment is drawn up towards the surface, darkens and sheds; the vessel is gently sealed and gradually cleared by the body. The surrounding skin is warmed but not broken, which is why recovery is usually quick. That same mild heat stimulates the skin's own repair processes, and over a course many people notice their skin looks fresher and more even in tone.

Who IPL photofacial suits

• Sun spots, freckling and uneven brown patches on the face, neck, chest or hands
• Dull, blotchy skin with fine surface redness
• Early fine lines and rough texture, as part of a wider skin plan
• Lighter skin types, which respond most predictably to IPL

The people who tend to be happiest with an IPL photofacial are those whose main concern is the accumulated effect of sun over the years: a mottled chest, freckling across the cheeks, brown marks on the backs of the hands, or a general sense that the complexion has lost its clarity. It is often a good first step for someone who wants their skin to look healthier without injectables or significant downtime. If the neck is part of the concern, our guide to neck rejuvenation explains the options.

When IPL is not the right choice

IPL is not suitable during pregnancy, on tanned skin, with some light-sensitising medicines, or for most darker skin types, where the risk of pigment change is higher. Melasma often worsens with heat and light, so we usually recommend a different plan. IPL does not lift sagging skin or jowls; for laxity we would talk about skin tightening instead. If IPL is not right for you, we will say so.

We also take care with recent sun exposure, self-tan, a history of cold sores in the treatment area, active skin infection, and some skin conditions that react to heat. Raised, changing or irregular moles and marks are never treated with light; if anything looks unusual, we will ask you to have it checked by your GP or a dermatologist first. Light treatment should never mask a mark that needs a medical opinion.

Your consultation and patch test

Every IPL photofacial begins with a skin consultation (£65, redeemable in full against treatment). We look closely at your skin in good light, ask about your medical history, medicines, sun habits and skincare, and agree what you are hoping to change. Part of the assessment is working out which pigment we are dealing with. Sun spots and freckles behave very differently from melasma, and confusing the two is one of the most common reasons light treatment disappoints.

If IPL is the right fit, we carry out a free patch test on a small, discreet area. This lets us see how your skin responds to the settings we plan to use before treating the full area. We usually ask you to wait a short interval after the patch test before your first full session. If another approach would serve you better, such as laser pigmentation treatment for a few well-defined spots, or clinical skincare for more diffuse dullness, we will explain why.

What a session involves and recovery

Your skin is cleansed, your eyes are protected, and a cool gel is applied. Each pulse feels like a quick warm snap, and a full face takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Afterwards, skin can look slightly pink for a few hours. Brown spots usually darken over the next day or two, then flake away within about a week. Most people go straight back to work. Daily SPF 50 is essential during and after a course.

Most people describe the sensation as tolerable without numbing cream; the cooling gel and the short duration of each pulse help. Treating the neck, chest or hands adds a little time. Some areas of fine redness may look slightly more flushed for a day before they settle.

Aftercare in the first week

• Use a gentle cleanser and a simple moisturiser for the first few days.
• Leave darkened spots to flake on their own; do not pick or scrub them.
• Pause exfoliating acids, retinoids and other active products until we advise.
• Avoid saunas, hot yoga and very strenuous exercise for a day or two while the skin is warm.
• Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every morning, reapply when outdoors, and avoid deliberate sun exposure.

Make-up can usually be worn the following day if the skin is calm. If you notice blistering, crusting or anything that concerns you, contact us and we will see you.

Results and how many sessions

Many people notice a clearer, more even complexion after the first session, once the darkened spots have flaked away. Because sun damage builds over years, a short course spaced several weeks apart usually gives a more complete result than a single treatment, and we agree the number with you at consultation based on your skin and your goals. Results vary from person to person.

IPL clears existing pigment, but it does not stop new pigment from forming. Further sun exposure, hormonal change and simply getting older all play a part. A good daily sunscreen and a sensible skincare routine are what keep the result, and some people choose an occasional maintenance session.

Risks and how we reduce them

IPL is a well-established treatment, but it is still a treatment that uses heat. Possible effects include temporary redness and swelling, short-lived darkening of spots, and less commonly blistering, temporary lightening or darkening of the skin, or scarring. The risk is highest on tanned or darker skin, and when settings are not matched to the skin in front of us.

We reduce those risks by assessing skin type properly, declining to treat tanned skin, carrying out a patch test, starting conservatively and adjusting settings between sessions. We would rather take an extra session to reach a result safely than push the skin too hard.

IPL photofacial compared with other options

For a handful of distinct brown spots, a targeted laser pigmentation treatment can be more precise. For dull skin without much pigment or redness, a medical-grade facial or a gentle peel may be a better starting point. For texture and fine lines, microneedling works on collagen in a different way, and for a calmer, more radiant complexion some patients add LED light therapy. If your concern is firmness rather than tone, we would discuss skin tightening. These treatments are not competitors; we often combine them in a plan built around your skin.

IPL photofacial cost in Islington

An IPL photofacial at our clinic is £180 per session. The skin consultation is £65, redeemed in full against treatment, and the patch test is free. We give you a written plan with the expected number of sessions before you commit, so the total cost is clear from the start.

Why have IPL at Dental & Wellness London

Every skin plan is overseen by Dr Vishal Patel, who has worked in facial aesthetics for ten years and is trained on Lynton lasers. We assess your skin type and your pigmentation first, and we will recommend laser pigmentation treatment or clinical skincare where they are the better answer. We have cared for patients in Islington since 2009, and we are rated 4.7 stars from more than 300 Google reviews.

The clinic is at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, two minutes from Essex Road station and a short ride from Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Hackney and Stoke Newington. Buses 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road. Many patients cycle or use a Lime or Forest e-bike. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, by appointment.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Vishal Patel · BDS · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry · GDC 103127. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.

IPL and pigmentation: more in this group

• IPL aftercare
• Does IPL hurt
• IPL vs BBL
• IPL vs laser
• Melasma and laser
• Pigmentation
• Melasma
• Rosacea

Related: laser hair removal.

Further reading

• Laser hair removal vs IPL — what's actually different (and which works better)