IPL — Acne & Pigmentation Correction

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment at Luna Klinik for acne reduction and pigmentation correction, using broadband filtered light to target the chromophores responsible for skin concerns — melanin in pigment spots and oxy-haemoglobin in dilated vessels. For acne, blue-green wavelengths in the IPL spectrum destroy Cutibacterium acnes bacteria in the follicle, reducing inflammation and breakouts. For pigmentation, the absorbed light heats and fragments melanin clusters, which are then cleared by the immune system, gradually evening skin tone. Sessions start at 1,500 Kč.

Intense Pulsed Light is often compared to laser, but works differently: rather than emitting a single concentrated wavelength, an IPL device emits a broad-spectrum flash of light (typically 400–1200 nm) filtered to target specific chromophores — the pigment molecules in skin that absorb light selectively. This makes IPL a versatile tool capable of addressing multiple concerns with one device by varying the filter and energy settings. For acne treatment, the relevant chromophores are the porphyrins produced by Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) bacteria living in the sebaceous follicle. When these porphyrins absorb specific wavelengths in the blue-green part of the IPL spectrum, they generate reactive oxygen species that destroy the bacteria without harming surrounding tissue. Additionally, the longer wavelengths in the same IPL pulse reach deeper to coagulate the sebaceous glands temporarily, reducing the excess oil production that fuels acne formation. The anti-inflammatory light also reduces the redness and post-inflammatory changes associated with active lesions. A course of four to eight sessions produces meaningful, cumulative reduction in active acne. For pigmentation correction — sun spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — the IPL flash targets melanin in the hyperpigmented lesion. The melanin absorbs the energy, heats up, fragments, and the debris is progressively cleared through the immune system over the following two to four weeks, causing the lesion to darken initially (a normal sign of treatment response) and then fade. Results after one to three sessions are visible on most discrete lesions; diffuse melasma requires more sessions and careful energy management to avoid rebound. At Luna Klinik the practitioner assesses skin phototype and pigmentation distribution before each session to select the appropriate filter and energy parameters. A cooling gel is applied and protective eyewear worn. The IPL flash produces a mild snapping sensation and brief warmth; most patients describe it as comfortable. Treated pigment spots will look darker for one to two weeks as the treated melanin rises and exfoliates naturally. Sun avoidance and high-SPF sunscreen are essential both before and after treatment to prevent recurrence.