IPL treatment for facial redness and thread veins

What Is IPL?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a non-invasive light-based treatment that targets unwanted redness, broken capillaries and visible facial veins. Unlike a laser, which uses one specific wavelength, IPL uses a broad spectrum of light. This allows it to treat multiple layers of the skin and effectively improve the appearance of diffuse redness, thread veins, and flushing.

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IPL is particularly effective for:

• Facial thread veins (telangiectasia)

• Diffuse facial redness

• Redness associated with rosacea

• Flushing and high-colour skin

• Sun-induced vascular damage

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How IPL Works

The light energy from IPL is selectively absorbed by the haemoglobin within blood vessels. This heats the vessel wall, causing the tiny vein to collapse and be naturally reabsorbed by the body over the following weeks.

Because IPL can treat a larger area in one pulse, it’s ideal for patients who have widespread redness or multiple fine capillaries, particularly across the cheeks and nose.

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Benefits of IPL for Vascular Redness

• Reduces or eliminates visible thread veins

• Evens out skin tone by reducing background redness

• Improves rosacea symptoms such as flushing

• Stimulates collagen, improving overall skin quality

• Minimal downtime — you can return to daily activities straight away

• Long-lasting results with proper aftercare

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What to Expect During Treatment

Your skin is cleansed, and a cooled gel is applied to enhance comfort and light transmission. Short pulses of light are delivered to the treatment area. You may feel a warm flicking sensation, similar to an elastic band snap, but most patients tolerate the treatment well.

A typical appointment lasts around 20–30 minutes, depending on the area treated.

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Aftercare & Recovery

After treatment, you may experience:

• Mild redness or warmth (usually settles within a few hours)

• Darkening of treated blood vessels before they fade

• Slight swelling in sensitive areas such as the nose or cheeks

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We recommend:

• Avoiding heat, hot showers, or vigorous exercise for 24–48 hours

• Wearing SPF 30–50 daily

• Avoiding sun exposure and tanning for 4 weeks before & after treatment

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How Many Sessions Are Needed?

Most patients need 2–4 sessions, spaced 3–4 weeks apart, for optimal results. Stubborn or deeper vessels may require additional treatments. Maintenance sessions are sometimes recommended for rosacea-prone skin.

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Who Is IPL Suitable For?

IPL is best suited to lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick I–III) due to the way light interacts with pigment. A consultation and skin test is essential to assess your skin and determine whether IPL is the safest and most effective option.

If IPL is not suitable, alternatives such as electrolysis/thermocoagulation may be recommended for isolated veins.

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Results

Most patients begin to notice improvements after the first session, with clearer, more even skin tone developing over the course of treatment. Results are long-lasting, especially when combined with good sun protection and skincare.