Clearer Tone. Calmer Redness.
Sun in a coastal city is hard to avoid, and it shows up on skin as scattered brown spots, surface redness, and uneven tone. At Bonakdar Aesthetics in Newport Beach IPL Photofacial uses intense pulses of light to target that visual “noise” with precision. If you’re looking for brighter, more even skin in Newport Beach, this non-invasive treatment fits neatly into a busy week and leans on advanced technology to keep settings safe and effective for your skin type.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is filtered broadband light (not a laser) that travels through the upper skin layers and is selectively absorbed by pigment and hemoglobin. In plain language, light energy seeks out unwanted brown spots and tiny blood vessels, warms them, and lets your body’s natural healing process clear the debris over time. We perform IPL Photofacial treatments with a medical platform that offers different wavelengths and pulse profiles so we can fine-tune care for your treatment area—face, neck, chest, shoulders, hands, and even the legs.
Use IPL when sun exposure has left behind color problems you can see in the mirror:
It also helps soften the look of acne scars by evening surrounding color, and it can gently nudge collagen production, which supports skin rejuvenation across a series. If your main concern is skin texture, etched lines, or deeper scars, we’ll talk about pairing light with laser skin treatments, peels, or microneedling for the right mix.
You’ll arrive with clean skin. We photograph the area for baseline tracking, review medications, and finalize your treatment plan. A thin layer of cool gel goes on for comfort and optics. Eye shields stay in place throughout. As the handpiece fires, you’ll notice bright flashes and a quick warm sensation with each pulse. Most sessions for a full face last 20–30 minutes. A board-certified physician oversees care, and treatments are performed by Dr. Bonakdar or a trained nurse practitioner.
Expect a touch of pinkness that settles within a few hours. Brown spots often darken over 24–48 hours, then take on a fine “peppery” look before flaking away with normal washing over five to seven days. Areas of background redness gradually quiet as the body clears treated blood vessels. Makeup is fine once skin feels calm the same day. This is minimal downtime you can plan around work or errands.
Following an IPL Photofacial Newport Beach patients typically see visible changes after one session; color keeps improving with a series. For sun damaged skin with mixed discoloration, we typically recommend two treatments to start, then expand to three to five sessions spaced three to four weeks apart for optimal results. Maintenance two to four times per year helps keep pace with life outdoors in Orange County.
IPL Photofacial works on a range of skin types when parameters are chosen with care. We avoid recent tanning and active infections and take a careful look at melasma patterns, as heat can trigger that skin condition. During consultation, we’ll physically examine your skin, review medical history, and choose filters and fluence that reach the appropriate depth for your goals. If you’re pregnant, photosensitive, or have a history of pigment shifts, we’ll map out alternatives or adjust timing.
Results And Timing
Color clears first. Pigmented macules flake away within a week; diffuse redness fades over several weeks as vessels collapse and clear. The canvas looks brighter, skin tone appears more even, and makeup sits better. Because IPL can stimulate collagen, you may notice a modest boost in light bounce and firmness across a series, especially when we layer in supportive at-home care.
What IPL Photofacial Does Not Do
IPL Photofacial won’t resurface etched deeper wrinkles or tighten lax skin on its own. If your priorities include crepe texture, etched lines, or laxity, we’ll talk about laser skin resurfacing (from light fractional to CO2 laser resurfacing), targeted chemical peels, or energy-based tightening. For unwanted body hair, we offer separate hair removal protocols; an IPL Photofacial is different from those settings.
Sun Behavior In A Beach City
Good results rely on sun protection. For two weeks before and after, avoid sun exposure that would tan or heat the area. Wear hats, seek shade, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Ongoing protection stretches your gains and helps prevent new skin discoloration from excessive sun exposure.
People often lump everything under “laser treatments,” but IPL and laser resurfacing behave differently. Laser energy is a single wavelength that targets a very specific chromophore or layer; it’s excellent for resurfacing texture or sealing distinct vessels. Intense pulsed light (IPL/BBL®) uses broadband light filtered to address multiple color targets in one pass. Both have a place; we choose based on your skin concerns and your calendar.
This is boutique, physician-led care. You’ll get honest guidance on what intense pulsed light therapy can correct, where another tool will move the needle faster, and how to stage treatments without crowding your month. Visits run on time. Aftercare is plain English. If you prefer to ease in, we can start small and build.
If you’re weighing IPL therapy against other laser skin treatments, we’ll help you choose the fastest, cleanest path to clear skin and a calm, even tone. Schedule a consultation at Bonakdar Aesthetics to map a plan that fits your skin, your life, and your time outdoors.
Chromophores in pigment cells and hemoglobin absorb the light, convert it to heat, and mark those targets for the body to clear. Over a series, the background noise fades and clarity returns.
Most patients describe a warm sensation with each pulse. Cooling gel, chilled air, and optional topical numbing keep sessions comfortable.
You’ll notice a brighter tone and lightened dark spots within a week. Redness takes longer to calm as vessels clear, usually several weeks. Results stack with each treatment session.
It can reduce vascular redness and post-inflammatory discoloration. For active breakouts, we add acne-specific filters or combine with other non-invasive treatments to address bacteria and oil.
Temporary redness, warmth, and darkening of spots are expected. Mild swelling can occur. Blistering or pigment shifts are uncommon when we respect your skin type and sun habits.
With good sunscreen habits and the right home care, long-lasting results are realistic. You’ll still create new discoloration with the sun, so maintenance keeps things steady.
Treatments are performed by Dr. Bonakdar or a trained nurse practitioner, with physician oversight and a knowledgeable team guiding your plan.
Contact Bonakdar Aesthetics for Cosmetic Dermatology and Skin Care in Newport Beach, Orange County, Palm Desert CA.
Dr. Bonakdar is an expert in the use of non-surgical skin care treatments. To meet with her to discuss your skincare concerns, request a consultation online at Bonakdar Aesthetics. You can also call (949) 721-6000 to schedule your appointment.
We are proud to inform you of Bonakdar Aesthetics’ Exclusive Appointment Scheduling Policy. This policy ensures that your appointments are exclusively booked for you alone, thus you will not experience long waits, nor be rushed during your appointment. A booking fee is required at the time you make your consultation or treatment appointment. This fee is refundable up until 72 hours of your appointment and is fully applied to your service that day.
20321 Irvine Avenue, Suite #F3, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
36943 Cook St. #104, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
This information from Palm Desert & Newport Beach's skin care specialist, Dr. Monica Bonakdar is not a substitute for health care or advice. You must consult with a physician regarding any health questions you may have. *Individual results may vary. Photos and reviews do not guarantee outcomes and no prediction of outcome is implied.
