IPL Photofacial
in Atlanta
Correct sun damage, redness, and uneven tone.
IPL Powered by Sciton BBL
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and BBL (BroadBand Light) work on the same principle — delivering controlled pulses of light energy to target pigment, redness, and vascular concerns beneath the skin's surface.
The difference is precision. Sciton's BBL is the next generation of IPL — it uses advanced cooling, real-time energy calibration, and a wider range of customizable filters to deliver more consistent results with greater comfort and fewer side effects than older IPL devices.
When you book an IPL Photofacial at ELLEMES, you're receiving treatment on the Sciton BBL platform — widely considered the gold standard in light-based skin correction.
What Happens During an IPL Session
Your provider applies a cooling gel and selects the appropriate light filter based on your skin type and concerns. The BBL handpiece delivers precise pulses of light that penetrate the upper layers of your skin.
The light energy heats targeted chromophores — melanin in dark spots and hemoglobin in red vessels — causing them to break down. Pigmented spots darken and rise to the surface over the following days, then shed naturally. Redness and visible vessels fade as the body reabsorbs the treated tissue.
Each session takes 20–30 minutes depending on the treatment area. Most patients return to normal activities the same day.
Sciton BBL vs. Traditional IPL
Both use pulsed light to treat the same concerns. BBL is a newer, more refined platform with key clinical advantages.
IPL Benefits
Pigment Correction
Targets age spots, sun spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation. Light energy draws melanin to the surface where it darkens, flakes, and sheds naturally over 5–7 days.
Collagen Stimulation
The controlled heat from each pulse stimulates new collagen production in the dermal layer. Over a series of sessions, this improves skin texture, fine lines, and overall firmness.
Redness & Rosacea
IPL selectively targets hemoglobin in visible blood vessels, reducing persistent facial redness, rosacea flares, and broken capillaries without damaging surrounding skin.
Skin Concerns We Treat
Years of UV exposure cause melanin to cluster in the skin, forming brown spots, sun spots, and solar lentigines. IPL light energy is absorbed by this excess melanin, causing the spots to darken and rise to the surface where they flake off over 5–10 days. For deeper or more stubborn pigmentation, a chemical peel between IPL sessions can accelerate clearing.
IPL targets hemoglobin in dilated blood vessels that cause persistent redness, flushing, and rosacea flares. The light energy constricts and closes these vessels without damaging surrounding tissue. Multiple sessions progressively reduce baseline redness. Learn more about our rosacea treatment options in Atlanta.
IPL can address certain types of hyperpigmentation by fragmenting excess melanin deposits. However, melasma requires careful evaluation — the condition can worsen with improper light settings. Our providers assess your pigmentation type before recommending IPL or an alternative approach. See our hyperpigmentation treatment page and melasma treatment page for more detail.
Visible spider veins and broken capillaries on the nose, cheeks, and chin respond well to IPL. The light energy is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin in these small vessels, causing them to coagulate and gradually fade over the following weeks. Our skin redness treatment page covers all available options.
Cumulative sun exposure and aging create a mottled, uneven complexion. IPL addresses both pigment irregularities and low-level redness across the full face, producing a more uniform tone. For texture improvement, combining IPL with MOXI laser resurfacing in a single session delivers stronger results than either treatment alone.
IPL can reduce active inflammatory acne by targeting the bacteria (P. acnes) that contribute to breakouts. It also fades red and brown post-acne marks (post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation). For deeper acne scarring, RF microneedling or standard microneedling may be more appropriate. See our acne treatment page for a full overview.
What to Expect
Post-Treatment Tips
Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen daily. Avoid direct sun, tanning beds, and self-tanners for 2 weeks. Do not pick or exfoliate darkened spots — let them shed naturally. Use gentle, fragrance-free products for the first 48 hours. Skip hot showers, saunas, and intense exercise for 24 hours. Resume retinol or active serums only after provider clearance. See our post-care instructions page or read our guide on IPL downtime and preparation.
IPL Photofacial Options
We offer IPL Photofacial treatments for the face, neck, and chest using our Sciton BBL platform. Your provider will recommend the right option based on your skin and concerns.
IPL Face
IPL Face & Neck
Face, Neck & Chest
Who Performs This Treatment
Lauren Siso
Jaycee Zotti
Christian Carter
How Many Sessions & How Often
Treatment plans are built around your specific skin type and concerns. Your provider will recommend the right number of sessions and interval during your consultation. For more on what to expect, read our guide on IPL photofacial cost and planning.
IPL Photofacial vs. Microneedling
IPL and microneedling are two of the most popular skin rejuvenation treatments, but they work through different mechanisms and target different concerns. Understanding the difference helps determine which treatment — or combination — is right for your skin.
If your primary concern is pigmentation, sun damage, or redness, IPL is typically the better starting point. If you're focused on texture, scarring, or fine lines, microneedling is more effective. Many patients benefit from both — IPL to clear tone, then microneedling to refine texture. Your provider will recommend the right approach during your consultation. Read our full comparison: IPL vs. Microneedling — Which Is Right for You?
IPL Reviews
"Looking to refresh my skin for my daughter's wedding — we decided on three sessions of a combo BBL and Moxi. My skin is already looking fresher and smoother after just one session!"
"Lauren is absolutely the best at her craft. I received a treatment on some sun damage on my face and the results have been incredible. So grateful I found this place!"
"I wish I could add more stars to describe my experience here. I had BroadBand Light with Lauren — incredible results. I'll be back and I'm sending all my friends!"
"I struggled with rosacea, cherry angiomas, and age spots. Met with Jaycee at ELLEMES — informative, kind, and thorough. One week later I'm thrilled with my BBL results."
"I came in for a free consultation about my rosacea and was recommended BBL treatments. Very happy with the results after 2 sessions — the redness has calmed dramatically."
"I had a facelift but needed the brown age spots gone. My surgeon suggested BBL. Happy with the results so far — great experience with a knowledgeable team."
"Looking to refresh my skin for my daughter's wedding — we decided on three sessions of a combo BBL and Moxi. My skin is already looking fresher and smoother after just one session!"
"Lauren is absolutely the best at her craft. I received a treatment on some sun damage on my face and the results have been incredible. So grateful I found this place!"
"I wish I could add more stars to describe my experience here. I had BroadBand Light with Lauren — incredible results. I'll be back and I'm sending all my friends!"
"I struggled with rosacea, cherry angiomas, and age spots. Met with Jaycee at ELLEMES — informative, kind, and thorough. One week later I'm thrilled with my BBL results."
"I came in for a free consultation about my rosacea and was recommended BBL treatments. Very happy with the results after 2 sessions — the redness has calmed dramatically."
"I had a facelift but needed the brown age spots gone. My surgeon suggested BBL. Happy with the results so far — great experience with a knowledgeable team."
Common
Questions
What to know before booking an IPL Photofacial at ELLEMES.
An IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photofacial uses broad-spectrum light energy to treat sun damage, pigmentation, redness, and visible blood vessels. The light targets specific chromophores in the skin — melanin and hemoglobin — without damaging the surrounding tissue. At ELLEMES, we perform IPL treatments using the Sciton BBL platform, which is an advanced, next-generation version of traditional IPL.
IPL and BBL are based on the same technology — both use pulsed light to treat pigment and vascular concerns. BBL (BroadBand Light) is Sciton's proprietary platform and is considered the most advanced IPL device available. It offers real-time energy calibration, integrated cooling, and more customizable filter options than older IPL systems. When you book an IPL Photofacial at ELLEMES, you receive treatment on our Sciton BBL device.
IPL treats sun spots, age spots, freckles, redness, rosacea, small visible veins, broken capillaries, and certain types of acne. It also stimulates collagen production, which improves skin texture and tone over a series of treatments.
Most patients describe the sensation as a brief snap or warm flick against the skin. The Sciton BBL platform includes integrated thermoelectric cooling, which keeps the skin surface comfortable during treatment. There is virtually no downtime — mild redness or warmth may occur and typically fades within a few hours.
Many patients see visible improvement after a single session. For more significant or long-standing concerns, a series of 3–5 treatments spaced a few weeks apart typically delivers the best results. Your provider will build a treatment plan based on your skin type and specific goals.
IPL is safe and effective for many skin types, but may not be appropriate for very dark skin tones due to how light energy interacts with melanin. Your provider will evaluate your skin during a consultation to confirm whether IPL is the right treatment for you, or recommend an alternative approach.
Avoid direct sun exposure, self-tanners, and spray tans for at least two weeks before your appointment. Discontinue topical retinols a few days prior. Your provider will give you a complete pre-treatment guide during your consultation.
Recovery is minimal. Most patients return to normal activities the same day. Treated pigmented spots will darken over the first few days and then flake off naturally over 5–10 days. Some mild redness or warmth is normal and typically resolves within hours. Sunscreen is essential during the healing period.
When You're Ready
Schedule a consultation and we'll recommend the right IPL treatment plan based on your skin, your concerns, and your timeline.
Book a Consultation