
IPL is a filtered light of a specific waveform (colour) that is selectively absorbed by the inflamed acne areas. The main contributors of acne are the excess oil produced in the sebaceous glands of the skin, and a particular skin microbe called propionibacterium acnes which invades the glands and turns the oil into pus. IPL creates heat in the acne lesions to control the microbes and oil production in the sebaceous glands. For treating more severe acne, this effect can be magnified many times over by using a specific photosensitising agent called ALA (amino laevulinic acid) applied to the skin. The pulsed light activates this substance and causes it to release strong chemicals called free radicals which selectively destroy the bacterial cells and dry up the oil glands.