After a summer spent outside, your skin may be showing more than just a little color. Brown spots, uneven skin tone, redness, and visible capillaries can all become more noticeable after months of sun exposure. If your complexion is looking a little different this fall, it may be time for a skin reset.
If you’re looking for sun damage treatment in Washington, DC, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is one option that can help improve some of the visible effects of sun exposure while leaving your skin looking brighter and more even.
What Can IPL Treat?
IPL uses pulses of light that absorb into melanin or hemoglobin in the skin, targeting pigmentation and vascular concerns. Because it can address both pigment and redness, IPL is a versatile approach for several common signs of sun damage.
At Peel Haus, IPL may help improve the appearance of brown and age spots, sun-induced freckles, diffuse redness, broken capillaries, rosacea, and other visible effects of summer sun exposure. The treatment can also support collagen growth, which may help with fine wrinkles and skin texture over time.
Why Is Fall a Good Time for Sun Damage Treatment?
Fall can be a great time to address sun damage because your skin has had a break from the intense sun exposure that comes with summer. Since sun exposure and tanning can affect your candidacy for IPL, protecting your skin from the sun for at least two weeks before and after treatment is an important part of the process.
Appointments are also relatively quick, making them easy to fit into a fall routine. Depending on the area being treated, a session may take about 15 to 30 minutes. Afterward, treated pigment often looks temporarily darker before it flakes away or fades naturally over the following one to two weeks.
Is IPL Right for Your Skin?
IPL isn’t right for everyone. This treatment is not approved for darker or melanated skin tones, due to a higher risk of pigment changes, and it may not be recommended for those who are pregnant, sensitive to light, or have recently tanned. Patients with darker skin tones may want to ask their provider about alternatives like RF microneedling instead.
A consultation allows your provider to take a closer look at your skin and recommend the right sun damage treatment for your goals. In some cases, another option may be a better fit, and most patients achieve their best results from IPL with a series of three to five sessions rather than a single visit.
If summer left you with a few more brown spots or a little more redness than you’d like, fall is a good time to start thinking about what’s next. Schedule a consultation with Peel Haus in Washington, DC to find out if IPL could help refresh your complexion.