IPL Photofacial

IPL (intense pulsed light) photofacial using the Lux G system with cooling handpieces to target sun-induced pigmentation, age spots, redness, and broken capillaries. Broad-spectrum light selectively targets melanin and oxyhemoglobin. Three to five sessions recommended. No downtime; patients return to normal activities immediately. Skin tone and texture improve progressively.

IPL photofacial treatment at Dr. Kolker's practice uses the Lux G system — an intense pulsed light device with integrated cooling handpieces that protect the skin surface while delivering broad-spectrum light pulses that selectively target chromophores (light-absorbing molecules) in the skin. The two primary targets are melanin (responsible for brown spots, age spots, freckles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from sun damage) and oxyhemoglobin (the pigment in red blood cells that gives visible redness, flushing, broken capillaries, and superficial vascular lesions such as rosacea or telangiectasia their appearance). Selectively heating these chromophores damages the targeted cells without significantly affecting surrounding tissue. Melanin-targeted treatment causes brown spots to temporarily darken and exfoliate over seven to ten days. Vascular-targeted treatment causes capillaries and redness to blanch and resolve as the disrupted vessels are reabsorbed. Unlike ablative lasers, IPL does not remove any skin surface — the epidermis remains intact — so there is no open wound and no meaningful recovery period. Patients typically resume all activities immediately, though temporary pinkness for a few hours post-treatment is normal. For patients with moderate sun damage and mixed pigmentary and vascular concerns, a series of three to five sessions spaced three to four weeks apart produces progressive and cumulative improvement in overall skin tone evenness, clarity, and glow. The Lux G system's integrated cooling protects the skin surface during energy delivery, enabling treatment of the full face, neck, chest (décolletage), and hands. SPF 50 sun protection is essential throughout and after the treatment course to protect the newly cleared skin and prevent recurrence.