Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Cost

• The cost of intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) varies from $300 to $600 per treatment, according to Derma Network.^[1] Usually, four to six treatments, at three-week intervals, are needed for best results.

• Unlike a laser, which uses only one light wavelength, IPL uses many wavelengths at once, making it easier to customize treatment. The physician will choose settings on an intense pulsed light machine to target the patient's particular problem. Then, using the machine, the doctor will deliver pulses of light to the area of the body being treated.
• Intense pulsed light can be used for hair removal for all skin and hair colors except white hair, and for cosmetic skin problems including rosacea, broken capillaries, birth marks, freckles, sun damage and acne scars. A treatment takes about a half hour, and no recovery time is needed.

• Sometimes IPL is combined with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to get better results treating sun damage, acne and other conditions. This can add about $150 per treatment. Also, some physicians recommend that patients purchase an over-the-counter numbing cream to make treatment more comfortable.
• The results of intense pulsed light therapy are not permanent, so patients might need to get the procedure redone about once a year to maintain results.

• Tip: You might be able to get a significant discount by allowing a doctor-in-training to perform your IPL treatment under the supervision of a licensed physician; contact the department of dermatology at your local medical school to ask about this option. Or, if you are planning to have multiple body parts treated, some doctors offer a discount of 10 percent or more on each additional area treated in the same session.

• Look for a dermatologist who is experienced in IPL therapy and has been certified by the American Board of Dermatology. The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery^[2] offers a free physician finder service. Discuss the results you hope to achieve and ask to see before-and-after photos of previous patients with your condition.

1.  www.dermanetwork.org/faq/faq_foto_facial_ipl.asp
2.  www.asds.net/Find/

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