Aesthetic dermatology · London
IPL photofacial, on the platform your skin actually needs.
A broadband-light photorejuvenation for rosacea, sun damage and dull tone — done on Lumenis M22, Cynosure Icon MaxG or Sciton BBL by a consultant dermatologist or trained nurse prescriber. If your skin is not the right skin for IPL, we say so.
Why patients choose us
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The right IPL platform for your skin
Lumenis M22, Cynosure Icon MaxG or Sciton BBL. Different filters, different pulse profiles, different results. Matched to your Fitzpatrick type and the target chromophore.
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Assessed before you book
IPL is not for every skin. Fitzpatrick V to VI, active tan, primary melasma or recent isotretinoin all rule it out. We say so, before you pay.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What an IPL photofacial costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our vetted panel. Send a photo and your skin history and we quote firm figures across two or three clinics.
In short
A course of three to four IPL sessions in London: £750 to £1,600, with maintenance every 6 to 12 months.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation and patch test | £75–£180 | 20–30 min | 48–72h wait |
| IPL photofacial, full face (single session) | £180–£380 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| IPL, face and neck or décolletage (single session) | £280–£450 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Course of 3 sessions, full face | £500–£1,050 | 3 visits | Over 9–12 weeks |
| Course of 4 sessions, larger area | £750–£1,600 | 4 visits | Over 12–16 weeks |
| Rosacea protocol (vascular filter, 4 sessions) | £800–£1,500 | 4 visits | Over 12–16 weeks |
Prices vary by clinic, by device (M22, MaxG or BBL), by who delivers the session and by the size of the treatment area. IPL is a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by private medical insurance.
The journey
From first message to visible results, step by step.
One team from consultation through the full course to maintenance.
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Before
You send us photos and skin history
A short, confidential form. Fitzpatrick type, recent sun exposure, medications, previous laser work and what you want treated (redness, sun spots, both).
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Before
We shortlist two or three clinics
Within one working day. Matched on device (M22, MaxG, BBL), practitioner experience and your specific indication. Indicative price for a course.
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Before
Consultation and patch test
A face-to-face assessment, informed consent and a small test patch 48 to 72 hours before the first full session on darker or reactive skin.
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On the day
Numbing and prep
Topical anaesthetic for 20 to 30 minutes if you want it, protective goggles fitted, and a layer of cold ultrasound gel across the treatment area.
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On the day
The IPL flashes
20 to 30 minutes for a full face. The handpiece is pressed to the skin and flashes in a systematic overlapping pattern. Discomfort is a warm elastic snap.
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On the day
Cool down and go home
Cold gel or a chilled mask for a few minutes, sunscreen applied, and out. No dressings, no downtime that keeps you at home.
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After
Coffee-ground days and results
Pigment darkens and sloughs over 24 to 72 hours. Redness settles the same week. Full result after 3 to 5 sessions, four weeks apart. Maintenance every 6 to 12 months.
When it helps
When IPL is the right tool — and when it is not.
The indications we treat most often, plus the skin types and conditions where IPL is the wrong answer.
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Rosacea and facial redness
Broadband light with the vascular filter closes fine telangiectasia and reduces the diffuse background flush of subtype 1 rosacea. See our rosacea treatment page for the full pathway.
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Sun damage, lentigines and age spots
Flat brown macules on cheeks, forehead, hands and chest. Melanin absorbs the pulse, the pigment lifts, and the spot flakes away within a week.
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Poikiloderma of Civatte
The mottled red-brown discolouration on the sides of the neck and upper chest that classic sun exposure leaves behind. IPL treats both the vascular and pigmented components.
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Enlarged pores and dull texture
A photofacial course leaves skin smoother and more even, with a modest tightening effect from the low-grade dermal heating.
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Superficial telangiectasia
Fine red thread veins on the cheeks and nostrils. Larger ship-mast vessels are better treated with a vascular laser such as Nd:YAG.
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Hair reduction on fair skin, dark hair
IPL removes dark hair on light skin but is unreliable on dark skin and unable to treat blonde, red or grey hair. A diode or Nd:YAG laser is safer for Fitzpatrick IV and above.
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Not suitable — Fitzpatrick V to VI or tanned
Melanin-rich or tanned skin absorbs too much energy and risks burns and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A recent tan means a delay of four to six weeks.
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Not suitable — primary melasma
IPL frequently worsens melasma. The safer route is Sylfirm X radiofrequency, low-fluence Q-switched laser and a topical regimen. See our melasma treatment page.
Device and technique
IPL is not one device — it is a family of platforms.
The main platforms, the difference between vascular and pigment settings, and how IPL compares with pulsed-dye laser and Nd:YAG.
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Lumenis M22 IPL
The reference platform. Eight optical filters (515 to 755 nm), Optimal Pulse Technology for even fluence, and a large 15 x 35 mm spot for fast face coverage.
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Cynosure Icon MaxG
A high-fluence vascular and pigment handpiece (500 to 670 and 870 to 1200 nm) with contact cooling. Popular for rosacea and dense sun damage.
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Sciton BBL Broadband Light
Forever Young BBL protocols with fine-tuned filters (420 to 1400 nm) and a sapphire chill tip. Comfortable, precise, favoured by dermatologists.
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Vascular vs pigment settings
The vascular filter (around 560 nm) targets oxyhaemoglobin for redness and vessels. The pigment filter (around 590 to 640 nm) targets melanin for sun damage. Most faces need both, staged.
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IPL vs pulsed-dye laser (PDL)
PDL is a single-wavelength (595 nm) vascular laser, more aggressive on vessels but with more purpura. IPL is gentler, treats pigment as well as redness, but needs more sessions.
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IPL vs Nd:YAG for vessels
Long-pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG penetrates deeper and treats larger blue reticular veins and vessels on darker skin. IPL is limited to superficial fine red vessels on fair skin.
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When IPL is not the answer
Melasma, dermal pigmentation, deep dynamic wrinkling and Fitzpatrick V to VI skin need a different tool: Sylfirm X, Q-switched laser, Fraxel or topicals.
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Second-opinion review
A specialist review of what has already been tried, at what settings and by which device — sometimes the answer is a change of platform, not another course.
Our vetted London panel
The London clinics we shortlist from.
Consultant dermatologist-led lists on the industry-leading IPL platforms. Introductions are made privately once we understand your skin.
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Cadogan Clinic
Chelsea — consultant dermatologist-led IPL on the M22 platform.
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EF MEDISPA
Kensington, St John's Wood, Chelsea — high-volume BBL and MaxG lists.
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PHI Clinic
Harley Street — Lumenis M22 and pulsed-dye laser under Dr Tapan Patel.
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Dr David Jack / Skinesis
Mayfair — Sciton BBL protocols with skincare-led follow-up.
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Face Bible
Belgravia — combined IPL, Sylfirm X and injectable pathways for rosacea and pigmentation.
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Waterhouse Young
Marylebone — nurse-prescriber led BBL and M22 with dermatology oversight.
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Consultant dermatologist or nurse prescriber trained on the specific IPL platform
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Patch testing offered as standard for Fitzpatrick III and above
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Devices are M22, MaxG or BBL — not generic unbranded IPL
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Vascular laser and Sylfirm X available in the same clinic if IPL is not the right tool
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
IPL is a common outpatient aesthetic treatment, but it is not risk-free. The things worth planning are your skin type, your recent sun exposure, your medications and the aftercare regimen.
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Coffee-ground appearance for 24 to 72 hours
Treated pigment darkens noticeably as it lifts to the surface. It looks worse before it looks better and then flakes off. Do not pick at it.
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Transient erythema
Mild redness and a warm sunburn feeling for a few hours to a day. Cool packs, gentle moisturiser and SPF 50 sunscreen are all that is needed.
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Rare blistering and burns
Uncommon with a properly set device on the right skin type. More likely on tanned skin, Fitzpatrick V to VI, or with badly calibrated equipment.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
A patchy brown darkening after inflammation, seen mostly on darker skin. Managed with SPF, hydroquinone or azelaic acid and time.
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Hypopigmentation
Rare pale patches on the treated area, more likely on tanned or Fitzpatrick IV and above skin. Often permanent, which is why patch testing matters.
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Photosensitive medications
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in the last six months, doxycycline, St John's wort and some diuretics all raise the risk of a phototoxic reaction. Disclose everything.
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Pregnancy and active infection
IPL is not offered in pregnancy or over active cold sores, impetigo or open acne lesions. Reschedule until the skin is settled.
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Strict sun avoidance for two weeks
Four weeks of no tanning before and two weeks of SPF 50 after. Sun exposure on freshly treated skin is the commonest cause of pigment complications.
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Red flags after a session
Blistering, spreading pain, weeping or a fever should be reviewed by the treating clinic the same day.
Related treatments
If IPL is not the right tool for you.
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Rosacea treatment
The full private-care pathway for rosacea, of which IPL is one component.
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Melasma treatment
Sylfirm X, Q-switched laser and topical protocols — the safer route for melasma.
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Fraxel laser resurfacing
For deeper texture, scars and photoageing beyond the reach of IPL.
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Chemical peel
Superficial to medium-depth peels for tone, texture and superficial pigment.
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HydraFacial
A non-thermal cleansing and hydrating facial, often stacked between IPL sessions.
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RF microneedling (Sylfirm, Secret)
The first-line option for melasma, PIH and darker skin types where IPL is unsafe.
Frequently asked
IPL photofacial, in plain English.
The six questions we are asked most before people book.
What is an IPL photofacial?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a broadband light source, 500 to 1200 nm, filtered to target haemoglobin (for redness, rosacea and superficial vessels) and melanin (for sun spots, lentigines and freckles). A photofacial treats both on the same visit and rejuvenates overall skin tone. It is not a laser — it is a filtered flashlamp — but is delivered by devices such as Lumenis M22, Cynosure Icon MaxG and Sciton BBL.
How many sessions will I need and what does it cost?
Most people need 3 to 5 sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart, then maintenance every 6 to 12 months. Single-session prices in London are typically £180 to £380 for the face and £280 to £450 for face and neck or décolletage. A course of three to four sessions runs from around £750 to £1,600.
Who is not suitable for IPL?
IPL is not offered to Fitzpatrick V to VI skin, actively tanned skin, primary melasma, pregnancy, active skin infection or acne, gold-based treatments, isotretinoin within the last six months or people on strongly photosensitising medications. Melasma in particular is often worsened by IPL and is better treated with Sylfirm X radiofrequency, Q-switched laser and topical protocols.
Does an IPL photofacial hurt and what is the downtime?
Discomfort is described as the snap of a warm elastic band. A topical anaesthetic can be applied for 20 to 30 minutes beforehand if you would like. Downtime is 24 to 72 hours of a "coffee-ground" appearance as pigment lifts and sloughs, plus mild redness on the day. You can wear make-up the next morning.
Will IPL treat my rosacea permanently?
IPL substantially reduces the redness, flushing and fine telangiectasia of subtype 1 rosacea after a course of three to four sessions, and is one of the best-evidenced treatments for it. It is not a cure — rosacea remains a chronic condition — and most patients benefit from a maintenance session every 6 to 12 months alongside topical therapy.
IPL, pulsed-dye laser or Sylfirm X — how do I choose?
IPL is the best all-rounder for combined redness and pigment on fair skin. Pulsed-dye laser (595 nm) is stronger on vessels but leaves temporary bruising. Sylfirm X radiofrequency microneedling is the go-to for melasma, PIH and darker skin types where IPL is unsafe. Our matching service picks the right one for your skin, not the one the clinic happens to own.
Ready to talk?
Send us a photo. We match you to the right platform, the right practitioner and a firm price — within one working day.
Independent, confidential and free to use. We are paid by no clinic. If IPL is not the right treatment for your skin, we say so and point you to what is.