Laser and IPL: everything you need to know in one place

This page brings together our articles on laser and IPL treatments in reading order. Start with how the treatment works, then the risks and warning signs; you will also find what to do after treatment and the rumours you often hear.

1 · Start here

Treatment GuidesLaser Hair Removal: How It Works, Who It Suits and What to Watch ForHow hair reduction with laser and IPL works, why skin and hair colour matter, how many sessions are needed and what the risks are. A patient guide.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Treatment GuidesFractional Laser: How Suitable Is It for Acne Scars, Wrinkles and Skin Texture?How ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers work, what to expect for acne scars and wrinkles, recovery and pigmentation risk. A patient guide.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board

2 · By area, type and related treatments

Treatment GuidesPigment Lasers: Which Dark Spots Do Q-Switched and Picosecond Lasers Work On, and Why Is Caution Needed with Melasma?How pigment lasers (Q-switched and picosecond) work on sun spots, freckles and birthmarks, the risks in melasma, sessions and the difference from IPL.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Treatment GuidesIPL (Intense Pulsed Light) for Dark Spots and Redness: Who Is It Suitable For, and What Should You Watch Out For?How IPL (intense pulsed light) works for sun spots, redness and fine vessels, who it does not suit, preparation, side effects and realistic expectations.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Treatment GuidesLaser Tattoo Removal: How Many Sessions, Which Colours Are Difficult, What Are the Risks?How does laser tattoo removal work, why are many sessions needed, why do colours respond differently, what are the risks? A realistic patient guide.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreLaser, IPL and Chemical Peels on Olive and Darker Skin: Pigmentation Risk, Choice of Device and Safety PrecautionsAre laser, IPL and peels safe on olive and darker skin? Risk of darkening and lightening, tanned skin, wavelength choice, test pulses and sun protection.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board

3 · Risks

Safety CentreProblems after Laser Hair Removal: Increased Hair Growth, Folliculitis, Pigmentation, Eye Safety — What Can Be Done?Increased hair growth, folliculitis, pigmentation, cold sores and eye injury after laser hair removal: what is normal, what is urgent, how to reduce risk.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreBurns and Pigmentation Changes after Laser and IPL: Darkening, Lightening and Scarring — Prevention and What to DoWhy do burns and dark spots occur after laser and IPL, how long do they last? Blisters, darkening, lightening, scars, eye risk: what is normal, what to do.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreProblems after Fractional Laser: Dark Spots, Cold Sores, Acne, ScarsProlonged redness, dark spots, cold sores, infection and scars after fractional laser: telling normal healing apart, home care and urgent signs.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreSpots and Milia (White Cysts) after Laser and PeelsSpots and white cysts (milia) after laser and peels: why they occur, when they clear, telling them from infection and cold sores, when to see a doctor.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreProblems after Tattoo Removal: Blisters, Skin Lightening, Scarring and Paradoxical Darkening — What Can Be Done?Blisters, crusts, skin lightening, scarring, ink darkening and allergy after tattoo removal: what is normal, when to see a physician, what can be done.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board

4 · Emergencies and aftercare

GuidesAftercare Following Medical Aesthetic Procedures: General Principles and Warning SignsGeneral aftercare principles after injections, laser, peels and device treatments; what is normal, and when to call your physician or 112.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board GuidesSunscreen Guide: How Do You Choose One, How Much Should You Apply and How Often Should You Reapply?How to choose sunscreen, how much to apply and how often to reapply. SPF, broad spectrum, mineral and chemical filters, tinted products, common mistakes.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreMedicines That Cause Sensitivity to Light: Before Laser, IPL and PeelsLight-sensitising medicines, herbal products and plants such as lemon and fig: why they matter before laser, IPL and peels, and what to tell a physician.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board

5 · Rumours

Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Laser hair removal causes cancer” — What does the science say?Does laser hair removal cause cancer? Non-ionising light, the real risks of laser (burns, pigment changes, eye damage) and why moles need attention.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Laser thins the skin” — What does the science say?Does laser thin the skin? How the skin is affected by hair removal, fractional and ablative lasers, sensitivity during healing, the real risks, and peels.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board