IPL for Red Acne Scars and Post-Inflammatory Redness
When acne clears, the marks it leaves behind can be just as frustrating as the breakouts themselves. Many people notice lingering pink or red spots long after active acne has calmed — and these can take months or years to fade on their own. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a highly effective treatment to help reduce this redness and restore a smoother, more even skin tone.
At Core Aesthetic, we routinely use IPL not only for sun damage but also for post-acne redness, helping patients reveal the clear skin they worked so hard to achieve.
What IPL Treats — And What It Doesn’t
IPL does not treat active acne. It will not shrink active breakouts or stop new ones from forming. Instead, it targets post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) — the flushed, reddish marks that remain after inflammation has healed.
These marks occur because tiny blood vessels remain dilated beneath the skin. Topical products can help over time, but they often work slowly. IPL uses pulses of light that specifically target hemoglobin in those vessels, gradually reducing redness and improving overall skin tone.
Ideal for Post-Accutane Skin
For patients who have recently completed Accutane or other acne therapies, IPL can be a powerful next step once the skin has stabilized. It supports healing, evens tone, and helps calm residual redness without resurfacing or aggressive exfoliation. At Core Aesthetic, we adjust IPL settings carefully for sensitive post-treatment skin to ensure maximal comfort and safety.
Why IPL Works for Acne-Related Redness
IPL reaches deeper than creams and many office facials, allowing it to address the vascular component of redness at its source. In most cases, two to three sessions spaced a few weeks apart lead to visible improvement. Skin looks clearer, calmer, and more uniform — helping erase the signs of past inflammation.
Skin Tone and Safety
IPL works best on fair to medium skin tones. For deeper Fitzpatrick types, we evaluate and recommend appropriate pigment-safe alternatives to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We also make sure active acne is managed first to ensure the best outcome.
Ready to Fade Redness?
If breakouts have stopped but the redness remains, IPL can help complete your skin-healing journey.
