What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
IPL or Intense pulsed light is a treatment well known in the dry eye and facial aesthetic world. By removing inflammation, the meibomian oil glands that stabilize your tear film keep the eyes from being as dry. This treatment works by targeting bad blood vessels and other unwanted eye and facial symptoms such as crusting around the eyelids in the morning, redness of the eyelids and face, freckles, sunspots, and spider veins.
IPL Mechanism of Action:
- Light pulses destroy abnormal blood vessels (works well for Rosacea, Telangiectasia, and other inflammatoryskin diseases that may be associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction)
- Reduces meibomian gland debris and risk of gland obstruction (Stye). Decreases inflammation around the eyes and promotes healthy anti-inflammation
- Decreases demodex and the bacterial load from blepharitis that cause morning crusting, watering, burning, and redness of the eyelids
- Liquefies meibum aiding in the expression of glands. This stabilizes your tear layer and prevents evaporation
- Activates fibroblasts
How IPL works:
- First, it is important to remember that the term IPL covers many machines from $50-$250k. Our doctors set the protocol and approve the treatment to ensure effectiveness. Our IPL machines are very expensive and should not be compared to at-home IPLs or something found online, such as Groupon. IPL should never be performed in one or two visits with higher energy, this will risk scarring or burning the skin.
- IPL emits short wavelengths of different wavelength light to target precise outcomes you discuss with your doctor. Traditionally, the use of this light was used to help get rid of sunspots, freckles, color imperfections in the skin, fine lines, and mild wrinkles.
- Brief and powerful bursts of light at specific wavelengths can cause changes in unhealthy blood vessels near the surface of the skin. By raising the skin temperature, problematic bacteria and demodex on the skin and eyes can be eliminated. This has a beneficial effect on the Meibomian glands.
- The light emitted from the device generates heat that leads to terminating of the unhealthy blood vessels. This minimizes redness and improves the appearance of the skin. This also improves the function of the Meibomian glands, resulting in improvement in dry eye symptoms.
What to expect during treatment:
- IPL is split into 4 treatments (60-minute appointments) separated by 2-3 weeks with results lasting 1-3 years depending on your skin recurrence. After treatment, your skin will feel like a slight sunburn the rest of the day. It may be pink or red and sensitive to the touch. You should avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen until 3 weeks after the last treatment.
- Depending on your specific needs, you and your doctor may agree to treat areas around the eyes or the entire facial area for the desired outcome.
- Combining IPL treatment with ILux or with LLLT can be highly effective at restoring meibomian glands.
