What to Avoid Before and After IPL Treatment
Dr. Stephen Weinman, MD, and Jennifer Pena at Essence MediSpa advise taking specific precautions before and after your IPL treatment to achieve the best results. Before your session, avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and any skincare products that may irritate your skin. After the procedure, steer clear of hot showers, intense exercise, and harsh skincare routines to ensure proper healing. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment. We are located at 222 NY-299 Suite A, Highland, NY 12528.


Table of Contents:
How should I prepare for an IPL treatment?
How long does an IPL session take?
What should I expect after IPL treatment?
Can IPL be combined with other treatments?
Preparing for an IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment at Essence MediSpa involves several essential steps to ensure you receive the best possible results while minimizing potential side effects. Our team of licensed and experienced professionals is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your unique skin type and condition. Here’s how you can prepare for your IPL session with us:
1. Consultation: Schedule a consultation with one of our skilled practitioners at Essence MediSpa. During this session, we will assess your skin type, review your medical history, and determine if IPL is the right choice for you. This personalized approach ensures that your treatment plan is safe and effective.
2. Sun Protection: In the weeks leading up to your appointment, it’s crucial to avoid direct sun exposure and tanning, including natural sunlight, tanning beds, and self-tanning products. Tanned skin can increase the risk of side effects and diminish treatment efficacy. If you need to be outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF to safeguard your skin.
3. Medication and Product Adjustments: Discontinue the use of photosensitive medications and topical products, such as retinoids and certain antibiotics, as advised by our team. These can heighten your skin’s sensitivity to light and increase the risk of adverse reactions.
A typical IPL session at Essence MediSpa can last between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the area being treated and the specific skin condition being addressed. For smaller areas like the upper lip or underarms, treatments can often be completed in about 20 minutes. Larger areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to 45 minutes. Please note that this time frame does not include the initial consultation, where our skilled practitioners will evaluate your skin type and discuss your treatment goals to create a customized plan for you.
During your session, we prioritize your comfort and safety. The treatment involves preparation steps such as cleansing the skin and applying a cooling gel, which is essential for achieving the best possible outcomes. Additionally, we provide detailed pre- and post-treatment care instructions to support your skin’s recovery and enhance the effectiveness of the therapy.
To ensure a seamless experience, we recommend discussing the specific timing and any other questions you may have with your Essence MediSpa practitioner during your consultation. We are dedicated to helping you achieve beautiful, healthy skin with our state-of-the-art IPL treatments.
At Essence MediSpa, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality care and the latest in cosmetic treatments to enhance your natural beauty. Our Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment is an effective solution for addressing a variety of skin concerns, including sun damage, age spots, and redness. Here’s what you can expect when you choose IPL treatment at Essence MediSpa.
Post-Treatment Care and Reactions:
After your IPL session, it’s normal to experience some redness and a sensation akin to mild sunburn in the treated areas. This is a typical response and usually subsides within a few hours to a couple of days, depending on your skin type and the treatment’s intensity. At Essence MediSpa, our experienced practitioners will guide you on how to care for your skin to ensure a smooth recovery.
Swelling, particularly around sensitive areas like the eyes, may occur but generally diminishes within a day or two. You may notice that pigmented spots appear darker initially; this is a sign that the treatment is working effectively. As the pigmentation rises to the surface, it will naturally flake off or fade over the following week. It’s crucial to avoid picking at these spots to prevent scarring, and our team will provide you with specific instructions to support your healing process.
Skin Care and Protection:
Keeping your skin moisturized is essential, and we will recommend gentle moisturizers suitable for your skin type. Protecting your skin from the sun is paramount post-treatment. Our specialists will advise you to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF and to wear protective clothing when outdoors. Avoiding peak sunlight hours will further help maintain the excellent results of your IPL treatment.
Follow-Up and Support:
We emphasize the importance of following any post-treatment instructions we provide, which may include avoiding hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise for a few days to prevent irritation. It’s also common for some individuals to experience temporary changes in skin pigmentation, which typically resolve as the skin heals. Should you have any concerns or experience unusual symptoms, such as blistering or severe discomfort, our team at Essence MediSpa is here to assist you.
Our expert team at Essence MediSpa often integrates IPL with procedures like microdermabrasion or chemical peels. This combination facilitates enhanced skin exfoliation, effectively removing dead skin cells and allowing for improved penetration of light energy. As a result, our patients experience heightened IPL effectiveness in addressing pigmentation issues and stimulating collagen production, leading to rejuvenated skin.
Furthermore, Essence MediSpa offers the option to pair IPL with laser treatments. While IPL employs broad-spectrum light, lasers use specific wavelengths for more targeted interventions. Using these technologies in tandem allows us to provide a comprehensive treatment plan, addressing both superficial and deeper skin concerns such as vascular lesions or persistent pigmentation.
Trust Essence MediSpa to guide you on your journey to healthier, more radiant skin with our expertly tailored IPL combination treatments. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment. We are located at 222 NY-299 Suite A, Highland, NY 12528. We serve clients from Highland NY, Poughkeepsie NY, Kingston NY, Cornwall NY, Newburgh NY, and surrounding areas.


Additional Services We Offer
• Aqua Gold
• Botox & Fillers
• Chemical Peels
• Ultraslim
• Dermal Fillers
• Hair Loss Treatment
• Hydrafacial
• Teeth Whitening
• Injectables
• Laser Hair Removal
• IPL Photofacial
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• Microdermabrasion
• Mole/Lesion Removal
• Morpheus8
• Vaginal Rejuvenation
• Stretch Mark Treatment
• Skin Tightening
• AcuPulse™CO2
• Radiesse Fillers


Additional Services We Offer
• Aqua Gold
• Botox & Fillers
• Chemical Peels
• Ultraslim
• Dermal Fillers
• Hair Loss Treatment
• Hydrafacial
• Teeth Whitening
• Injectables
• Laser Hair Removal
• IPL Photofacial
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• Microdermabrasion
• Mole/Lesion Removal
• Morpheus8
• Vaginal Rejuvenation
• Stretch Mark Treatment
• Skin Tightening
• AcuPulse™CO2
• Radiesse Fillers