Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is typically used for hair removal, but it can also be an effective way to reduce skin pigmentation issues. But how does it work and is at-home IPL for dark spots—i.e. the DIY option—a safe solution?
Whether you call them age spots, sun spots or just pesky annoyances, those dark spots on your complexion can be tough to get rid of. Melanocytes, which are pigment-producing cells that reside beneath the skin’s surface, are what cause them. As your skin matures, or gets aggravated by sun exposure, those melanocytes get to work, producing melanin that leaves you with the appearance of dark spots.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Home IPL laser for brown spots, IPL not working on brown spots, Can home IPL help with hyperpigmentation, and Does at-home IPL work on age spots?
Home IPL laser for brown spots
So how exactly do you get rid of them? While you might have considered using at-home laser hair removal for, you know, actual hair removal, it’s also effective when it comes to erasing dark spots too.
We spoke with several skincare experts to learn more about how (and how well) intense pulsed light treatments help clear up pigmentation issues—and whether it’s something you should try at home.
What is an IPL treatment?
How does IPL therapy work, then?
“IPL uses light energy at different specific wavelengths to treat many skin concerns,” explains Dr. Robert Morrell, M.D., founder and director of Medical Rejuvenation Centre (opens in new tab) and Di Morelli Skin Care.
“It’s used for many therapeutic purposes due to the broad spectrum of wavelengths in IPL treatments,” he says. More specifically, IPL can be used to treat pigmentation, rosacea, veins, acne and hair removal, too.
How does IPL help reduce dark spots?
As Dr. Morrell explains, “IPL works to fade dark spots by selectively heating up the brown color with a band of light specific for brown pigment. Typically, these spots will become coffee-like granules that will shed off on the surface of the skin in five to seven days.”
When the light penetrates your skin, the targeted heat zaps only the spots with excess melanin, and leaves the rest alone. It works to eliminate the pigmentation that you see toward the surface of your skin so that you can naturally slough off or exfoliate those cells.
Unfortunately, IPL doesn’t permanently stop or remove melanocytes from producing melanin, so your dark spots will likely return in time. However, a lot of women see significant reductions in visible dark spots after professional treatments.
What are the risks of using an IPL laser at home?
So if getting IPL done in a professional setting works well on dark spots, can we try at-home IPL for dark spots? Using this kind of advanced technology at home sounds like risky business—and, according to the experts we consulted, it is.
“In the last few years, there has been a rapid increase in home light devices that have had very little testing,” says plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Simone Matousek (opens in new tab). “Home IPL devices are unregulated and should not be used for management of pigmentation, or any skin problems,” she advises.

Both doctors noted that these DIY devices aren’t really strong enough to produce significant results. In fact, they can actually cause “darkening of pigmentation, as the intensity of home IPL units is too weak,” says Dr. Morrell. “And, if the intensity is stronger, there is a possibility of burns.”
So, zapping your skin with an at-home IPL device might actually worsen your unwanted dark spots, by making them even darker.
“Even in the hands of trained medical practitioners, an IPL device can cause side effects,” adds Dr. Matousek. Clinical trials (opens in new tab) have found that these can include redness, rashes, blistering, swelling, and hypopigmentation—patches of skin lightening—in addition to dark spots. If powerful IPL technology is misused, it can even lead to eye injuries and scarring.
At-home IPL vs Professional IPL
If you’re comparing at-home IPL devices against professional-grade equipment, the latter will always be safer and more sophisticated.
“The more high-end IPL devices that are operated in medical practices are more tunable, have more precise targeting of skin problems, and are safer in darker skin types. Medical-grade broadband light is one such device, is more effective and has inbuilt cooling to make it safe,” explains Dr. Matousek.
She continued, “At-home devices will likely be too weak to have any real impact, as any manufacturer would be worried about the potential of being sued. The machines that will actually have a real impact on skin problems are way more powerful than is safe for any consumer to use.”
Moreover, despite how easy at-home IPL for dark spots might sound, managing pigmentation concerns isn’t as simple as zapping your skin a few times. It requires appropriate topical medication before and after such treatments, some of which a doctor can only prescribe, according to Dr. Matousek.
So, if an at-home IPL product promises to clear up dark spots in no time—without any medical oversight, topical treatment, or training—it’s probably too good to be true.
How to use IPL to treat dark spots
If you want to proceed with an IPL treatment for dark spots, “You should always go see a professional; do not try it at home,” advises Dr. Morrell.
The price tag for professional treatment might be higher, but experts advise against trying a DIY device as a way to cut costs on skincare.
As Dr. Matousek suggests, “Going to a trained plastic surgeon or dermatologist, having a proper skin assessment and treatment plan, and getting effective, evidence-based therapies is a far better use of time and money than buying a home device. There’s a reason the best lasers and light devices cost hundreds and thousands of dollars; they require precise engineering and regular checkups and tuning to keep your skin safe.”
Can I still use an at-home IPL for hair removal?
So, what if you’re already using an at-home IPL device for hair removal? Is that still safe?
These at-home devices aren’t suitable for treating skin pigmentation concerns, but they can be useful when it comes to hair removal.
Gia Jurosky, director of influencer marketing and brand strategy at RoseSkinCo (opens in new tab), a brand that makes an at-home IPL handset, notes that they are not intended as a treatment for your complexion. “While IPL can be used to treat acne scars, melasma, and other concerns, we recommend the devices for long-term hair removal,” she says. “Someone looking for an IPL skin treatment should consult a physician beforehand.”
iPL not working on brown spots
Whether your skin is mottled with dark spots and freckles from years of sun damage or riddled with redness and broken blood vessels, there’s no escaping the fact that a dull, muddy, and discolored complexion can accelerate the aging process of our skin. Thankfully, The Refinery Skin Clinic’s new Lumenis M22™ Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment can treat both culprits and restore a more youthful, even skin tone.

How does Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Work?
Lasers used for aesthetic purposes often rely on one wavelength of light transmitted as a single beam that is attracted to a particular target like the melanin in your hair follicle (hair removal). As a result, that target absorbs the energy of the laser light and it becomes damaged or destroyed. IPL differs in that it emits several wavelengths of light at once into the skin to address multiple targets and concerns in a single treatment. This quality makes IPL very versatile in treating hyperpigmentation, rosacea, individual brown spots, broken vessels, and even hair removal and acne! Your provider can customize your treatment with a series of filters to target sun damage, facial redness, individual vessels, and brown spots.
What makes the Lumenis M22™ Universal IPL unique?
The Refinery Skin Clinic’s new Lumenis M22™ Universal IPL with Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT™) is unparalleled in its versatility to treat multiple skin concerns in a single treatment with its 9 ExpertFilters™. It is the ideal laser treatment for clients desiring a more even, clear skin tone and reduced facial redness. M22™ IPL’s computer-enabled filter recognition and three SapphireCool™ light guides make it one of the safest, most customizable, and comfortable IPL devices available today!
What happens during an IPL treatment?
A thorough consultation is needed before all Intense Pulsed Light treatments to ensure that you are an appropriate candidate for laser. The use of certain medications, topical skincare, and having an active tan may temporarily contraindicate you for treatment. Many clients choose to have IPL treatments performed in the fall and winter months to avoid complications with the sun.
During an IPL treatment, your Advanced Practice Esthetician (who has also received specialized training in laser) will cleanse your skin and then cover your eyes with protective eyewear. She will then move the cool laser handpiece over your skin in a series of passes accompanied by a flash of light with each pulse of the laser, and a mild snapping sensation. Bothersome brown spots and blood vessels near your skin’s surface will absorb the light energy and become damaged.
What results can I expect after an IPL treatment?
Immediately after your IPL, your skin may feel as though you have a mild sunburn. This response is temporary and will resolve within 24 hours. You may notice that your dark spots are darker and have multiplied in number. This result is GOOD! It means that the IPL has not only treated pigment on your skin’s surface but has also pulled up deeper damage that was not visible yet. As the days pass, these dark spots will become dry and flakey until they naturally slough off and reveal clear skin beneath. It is crucial not to pick at these areas and damage the new, healthy emerging tissue.
If your IPL treatment focused on vessels and facial redness, you might notice that treated vessels have turned grey or completely disappeared. Generally, vessels and facial redness need multiple treatments to achieve full clearance.
It is mandatory to wear an SPF 30 or higher after your treatment to protect your skin and prevent future damage. Although dramatic improvements can be experienced with one treatment, a series of IPL is recommended for the best results. Sun damage runs into the deeper layers of your skin, so several treatments may be required to pull that damage to the skin’s surface to be corrected.
IPL can be performed almost anywhere on the body, including face, chest, hands, shoulders, and legs. Because of tanning restrictions, many clients choose to begin their treatment package in the Fall and Winter and then schedule a yearly IPL to maintain and enhance their results.
If you are bothered by brown spots, fed up with hiding facial vessels with makeup, or ready to reduce the redness and flushing that comes with your rosacea, it’s time to schedule a consultation to discuss M22™ Intense Pulsed
IPL for Dark Spots Before and After
Weigh out the pros and cons of at-home IPL devices before deciding whether to invest in one of the tools.
At this point, anyone who feels compelled to try hair removal can choose from an array of options. From depilatory creams to sugaring to old-school razors, there are more ways to eliminate hair than you could count on both hands.
IPL hair removal is one common option, which offers a more lasting result than shaving or even waxing. (In fact, it was one of the top five most popular minimally-invasive procedures in 2020, according to the most recent Plastic Surgery Statistics Report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS].) While you may associate the treatment with med spas, numerous at-home IPL devices have hit the market, promising an alternative for people who’d rather take matters into their own hands. If you’re wondering whether the ability to use the tech from your home is too good to be true, here’s the full scoop.
What are at-home IPL devices?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, the form of scattered light that these handheld tools give off. “These are devices that emit a wide spectrum of light to treat the skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The technology is similar to but different from laser hair removal. “Technically [IPL devices] are not lasers since lasers emit only a single wavelength of light,” while IPL emits multiple wavelengths, explains Dr. Zeichner. (
IPL can be used to treat brown spots or broken capillaries and redness, in addition to reducing hair production. “Different filters are used to limit the light that is delivered by the device to offer a customized treatment that addresses your particular need,” says Dr. Zeichner.
“[IPL] uses a big [dose] of light to capture certain targets in the skin,” says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Laser Dermatology. “In terms of hair removal, the target would be melanin.” (Reminder: Melanin is a natural pigment in your skin and hair.) When the goal is hair removal, IPL devices are filtered to emit light at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nanometers, which can selectively heat and destroy melanin without heating the surrounding skin, she explains. When the light heats the melanin in a hair follicle, that causes the strand of hair to fall out and kills the hair follicle, thereby decreasing regrowth. (Although it takes multiple sessions to achieve full results, which only ever amounts to a reduction of hair growthrather than permanently eliminating new growth, according to Dr. Shirazi.)
Home IPL devices — e.g. Kenzzi, SmoothSkin, and Braun IPL devices — use the same technology at lower energies compared to what the pros use, according to Dr. Zeichner. Of course, that comes with a tradeoff. “The IPL devices in the office are obviously going to be a lot more powerful and hopefully are being used by trained professionals, whereas the IPL devices at home are going to be much weaker in terms of the amount of energy that they’re able to deliver so the results aren’t going to be as good,” says Dr. Shirazi. That said, a small study on at-home IPL devices published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reported a 78 percent reduction in amount of hair at the one-month mark and a 72 percent reduction after three months, with participants receiving biweekly treatments with an at-home device over the course of six weeks.
What are the perks of using at-home IPL devices?
You can use at-home IPL devices on any area of the body where hair is found, whether that means treating your facial hair or giving yourself a full Brazilian, according to Dr. Shirazi. Investing in an at-home IPL device can also save you money compared to in-office treatments. Home IPL devices typically cost around $150 to several hundred dollars, while the average cost of a single session of professional IPL cost roughly $412 in 2020, according to the ASPS report. Most people need six to 12 IPL treatments to achieve full results, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Then there’s the convenience factor. Switching to using an IPL at home will save you time if you normally shave. To give you an idea, Braun recommends using its Silk Expert Pro 5 once a week for four to 12 weeks, then every one to two months for maintenance. Taking matters into your own hands also eliminates any awkwardness you might feel around having a stranger treat your bikini area while you attempt to make small talk. (
What are the downsides of trying IPL at home?
IPL can be moderately painful. It also comes with potential side effects, which is one reason why Corey L. Hartman, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama, finds the idea of putting the technology in the hands of non-professionals unsettling. When used improperly, IPL can cause “blistering, redness, scarring, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, pain, oozing, or crusting,” says Dr. Hartman. “IPL devices are not casual.”
“I’ve seen some terrible burns and terrible scarring from IPL done in the office and done at home,” echoes Dr. Shirazi. “It’s tricky because you’re playing around with energy and heat and if the skin absorbs all of that, you can certainly get a burn.”
Additionally, both IPL and laser devices have the potential to do the exact opposite of what you want. “If you use conservative settings or low energy settings of light to try to remove hair,” you can actually stimulate growth,says Dr. Shirazi. “You could end up with a condition called paradoxical hair stimulation from laser treatments. The low energy is not enough to chill the hair follicle, but it’s enough to stimulate the hair follicle to grow.” That’s why you may have heard of low-level laser-emitting caps designed to promote hair growth.
Another major downside? IPL isn’t well-suited to dark skin tones or light-colored hair. “IPL is high-risk for people with dark skin tones,” who naturally have more melanin, according to Dr. Shirazi. “What happens, as the light passes through it’s going to capture the melanin on the surface of the skin. The more melanin there is on the surface of the skin the more likely it is to absorb all the energy, and then you can end up with a burn.” IPL device brands often provide charts on their websites indicating which skin tones should avoid using their products altogether.
All in all, is at-home IPL worth trying?
The experts interviewed for this story were divided on whether at-home IPL is worthwhile or even okay to try. If you buy an at-home IPL device, you can assume that it uses lower energy than professional devices, making it safe to use at home, says Dr. Zeichner. “The biggest potential risk associated with using IPL devices is the development of hyperpigmentation,” he says. “This risk is very low with at-home devices because of the safety measures put in place that allow them to be used without professional supervision.”
Not everyone gives at-home IPL devices a thumbs up. Any IPL device will be either be able to “really do some harm” or they’ll be ineffective, and that there’s no in-between, says Dr. Hartman. “I don’t understand at-home IPL devices,” he says. “I’m scared of them. I do not recommend.”
IPL technology is better suited for treating brown spots, redness, and sun damage than hair removal, he adds. When his patients ask him about IPL for hair removal, Dr. Hartman steers them toward laser hair removal instead. More specifically, Nd:YAG and alexandrite laser hair removal are ideal for dark and light skin tones, respectively, he says.”They just work better, and they have more science and studies behind them,” says Dr. Hartman.
Finally, IPL is fine to try at home provided you a) don’t have a dark skin tone, b) have read up on IPL, and c) have managed your expectations, in Dr. Shirazi’s opinion. “I always recommend that people do a test spot, wait a day or two and make sure that your skin is not reacting in an adverse fashion,” before using one of the devices on a large area, she says. Another pointer: “You have to be really careful around going around curved areas, so particularly around the bikini or contours of the face it’s really important to have good contact [between your skin and] the device, because if you’re at an angle or you don’t have full contact of the light with the skin you could just be delivering pure heat rather than the light,” preventing the device from functioning properly, she adds.
If you’re after a dramatic reduction in hair growth, it’s probably best to visit a pro, since they’ll use a much more powerful device, says Dr. Shirazi. “I think [at-home IPL] is fine to use as a maintenance treatment but it’s really not going to work as effectively as in-office IPL.” And IPL in general is “much weaker” than lasers for hair removal to begin with, she adds.
Does at-home IPL work on age spots
No matter the age or gender, everyone invests in skin care routines from exfoliation to using face serums and tropical action creams that promise a blemish-free complexion. Still, while these skin care products are unique among other cosmetic treatments, many medical professionals advise using skin rejuvenation products like IPL (Intense Pulse Light) devices that offer UV and laser protection over other cosmetic options. Wonder why? Let’s find out.
The Benefits of IPL Photofacial Devices at Home
With so many cosmetic creams currently available, combating your skin problems, as well as improving your skin conditions, can be difficult. So, if you’re wondering why IPL photo facial at home is a skin rejuvenation treatment medical professionals encourage people to use, here’s why.
1. Cosmetic Laser Home Care can Help Treat Sun Damage
According to the American Cancer Society, ultraviolet radiation can cause long-term skin damage. Yet, most people don’t know that UV light, especially from sun rays, is an enemy they should avoid since it accelerates aging symptoms. From breaking down collagen in human skin that promotes younger cells, making it weaker to causing wrinkles, sagging skin, actinic keratosis, and age spots that make the skin appear weathered, long-term exposure to sunlight will cause the skin to deteriorate, making it look aged.
Laser treatment at home with IPL devices combats sun damage to the skin by performing deep exfoliation, which helps remove dead and discolored cells on the skin. This procedure will not only get rid of dark spots but restore an even, glowing complexion. How? Once the deep exfoliation is performed, and dark cells are no longer a threat, new collagen forms making your skin look younger, line and wrinkle-free, and glowing.
2. Intense Pulse Light can Remove Unwanted Hairs on the Body
The neck, legs, arms, underarms, chest, face, and pelvic region are the most common body parts that often sprout excessive hair growth, making people less confident in their bodies. IPL devices combat this challenge. It removes hair by targeting the melanin in dark hair follicles down to its roots, causing it to heat. When the hair shafts take much of this heat energy, they become brittle, die, and fall off, leaving that part of the skin without hair for a long time. It means that IPL handsets won’t just cut away the hair on the topmost part of your skin. Instead, it removes hair by killing it from its root, leaving it without a source to grow again.
IPL handset kit for hair removal works pretty slowly, unlike traditional cosmetic procedures like waxing, shaving, and tweezing. However, its slow speed may be its winning point as it gradually eliminates hair on your body, while offering a long-term solution to excessive hair growth than most hair removal products. So, if you have excessive hair on several body parts, treating them with intense pulsed light will keep your skin hairless and glowing.
3. IPL Photofacial can Treat Pigmentation
Exposure to the sun frequently results in hyperpigmentation. That means you are more likely to notice them on your neck, face, hands, and legs. When pigmentation occurs, it can also make people look aged than they actually are. Fortunately, IPL therapy can eliminate this skin condition. If you’ve had pigmentation before, you know how tricky it can be to treat, as it often appears in patches and clusters. IPL therapy effectively eliminates hyperpigmentation by targeting the melanin to break up cells and lighten the dark patches on the skin.
4. It Eliminates Acne
Acne is a common skin condition in youths and teens. In most cases, acne never goes away with age. Whether you have mild to severe acne conditions, IPL devices get rid of them.
IPL performs this function thanks to its unique wavelengths and pulses. These pulses remove acne by destroying the bacteria, around the region with acne, reducing the size of the swollen acne lesions and paralyzing overactive oil glands in the skin that promotes acne formation, so you never have to worry about these small pores filled boils on your face.
5. Intense Pulse Light Therapy is an Excellent Anti Aging Treatment
Besides its other benefits, Intense Pulse Light also can prevent premature skin aging.
Fine lines and wrinkles are sure signs of aging typical in older people, but that doesn’t mean the younger generation is free of this condition. Research shows that people in their 20s and 30s also notice fine lines appearing on their faces. Three of the biggest reasons premature aging may happen to you is due to stress, sun damage, and genetics. Regardless, IPL devices at home therapy can prevent anti-aging.
It does this by encouraging collagen production, a vital protein that helps you maintain a youthful and glowing appearance by giving your skin a more elastic quality. As your skin produces more collagen, the visible folds and creases causing wrinkles will relax back into their original position, making the skin look young. However, to make the most of the IPL photo facial anti-aging qualities, sun exposure should be avoided.
