IPL for Rosacea: Here's What You Need to Know

If your morning routine involves carefully layering green color-correcting makeup to hide facial redness, you aren't alone. This constant cycle of hiding your skin is common for the 16 million Americans living with rosacea. 

At Serenity Medical Spa in Pennington, New Jersey, Dr. Sharon Getzman offers Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy to address the root cause of rosacea redness rather than just mask it. 

Since April is Rosacea Awareness Month, Dr. Getzman takes some time here to break down IPL treatment for rosacea and why it works better than heavy makeup or topical creams.

Understanding how IPL works for rosacea

Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, is not a laser. While lasers use a single wavelength of light, IPL uses a broad spectrum. We use this technology to target the red pigment in your blood vessels, which converts to heat. This heat damages the vessel walls, causing the body to absorb and naturally eliminate them.

About 16 million Americans live with this condition, many of whom struggle with the erythematotelangiectatic subtype, which involves permanent redness and spider veins. 

IPL is highly effective for this specific subtype, often reducing redness by 50-75% after a series of treatments.

What to expect during your treatment

First is a consultation to ensure your skin type is well-suited to light-based therapy.

During the procedure, Dr. Getzman applies a cool gel to the treatment area. You’ll wear protective eyewear while the IPL device moves across your skin. Most patients describe the sensation as a quick snap, similar to a rubber band against the skin. A typical session takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Recovery time is minimal. You may experience some light redness or swelling immediately after the session, which should fade within a few hours or a couple of days. You’ll need to be diligent with sun protection following treatment, as your skin will be more sensitive to UV rays.

The benefits of choosing IPL 

While medications can help control inflammation, they often do not remove the physical blood vessels that have already formed. IPL addresses the structural changes in your skin.

• It targets redness at the source by collapsing visible capillaries
• It improves overall skin texture and tone
• It requires fewer sessions than some traditional laser therapies
• It allows you to return to work or daily activities immediately.

If you are tired of the flare-ups and want a more permanent solution for your rosacea symptoms, book a consultation with Dr. Getzman, call us at (609) 737-7737, or request an appointment online.