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IPL · Pleasanton & Sunnyvale
IPL photofacial in Pleasanton
In short
IPL is broad-spectrum light rather than a laser, which is why one treatment can work on brown spots and red vessels in the same pass.
It suits sun damage, diffuse redness and broken capillaries in lighter skin. Because it is absorbed by melanin, it is not the right choice for every skin tone, and we assess that before recommending it.
What it treats well
The freckled, uneven, slightly ruddy look that comes from years of sun is what IPL is for. It lifts brown spots and calms background redness at the same time, which is why the overall effect reads as clearer skin rather than one thing fixed.
Treated spots darken and flake over about a week. That stage is expected, and it is worth planning around rather than being surprised by.
When we would choose something else
In deeper skin tones, melanin absorbs the light broadly and the margin narrows. We would usually reach for a different technology rather than adjust IPL settings and hope.
Melasma often worsens with IPL. It is a chronic pigment condition and it responds to a gentler, longer plan.
Recent sun exposure, an active tan and some photosensitising medications are reasons to postpone.
Common questions
Is IPL the same as laser?
No. A laser is a single wavelength; IPL is a broad spectrum of light filtered for the target. That breadth is why it can treat brown and red in one pass, and also why it is less selective.
Can I have IPL on darker skin?
Usually not. IPL is absorbed by melanin across a broad spectrum, so in melanin-rich skin the margin between target and surrounding skin is too narrow. We would suggest a different option.
What does recovery look like?
Brown spots darken within a day and flake off over roughly a week. Redness on the day is normal. Most people carry on as usual through it.
Medically reviewed by Seth Eberlin, MD, Medical Director at Essential Bella. Last reviewed 20 September 2026. General information, not a substitute for an in-person assessment.