Even though the global beauty and wellness market has suffered much from COVID-19, it wasn’t long until it bounced back and hit another growth spurt. And, ironically, not least because of skincare woes created by the pandemic. One of them, mask-related acne, even received a newly coined term – maskne – and became a hotly-discussed topic among the general public and the professional esthetic community. 

Today, owners of skin care clinics, beauty centers, or esthetic practices might catch the wave and expand the offering with popular and effective intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments. This post covers the advantages and price of IPL machines, including treatment costs. 

What is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy?

IPL machines use photoelectric technology to target melanin inside the skin and deal with diverse skin conditions. When Intense Pulsed Light wavelength targets hairs with melanin pigment, it interrupts the hair growth cycle and prevents it from growing again. 

IPL devices are much like lasers because they use light pulses for treatments. However, while lasers emit just one wavelength, IPL works with  less focused, broadbanded light (500 – 1200 nm).

Why do many skin and beauty clinics choose IPL for skin rejuvenation? 

IPL devices have been the industry’s darlings for years. Still, the market’s appetite for photorejuvenation services keeps growing. 

• First of all, this can be explained by the increasing demand for non-invasive beauty treatments addressing various skin conditions, including rosacea, redness, sun and age spots, hyperpigmentation, birthmarks, freckles, acne and acne scars, spider veins, melasma, broken blood vessels.

And it’s where IPL treatments come to the fore as they cover all of the above.

• Secondly, IPL devices may target more than one condition during a single photorejuvenation session. For example, vascular lesions and hyperpigmentation. 

• Thirdly, they provide visible results that stand the test of time.

• Fourthly, though Intense Pulsed Light technology is frequently confused with laser one (as, in fact, they are both light-based), IPL equipment is generally more affordable than lasers and, in some cases, give comparable results. 

An average price tag for a skin rejuvenation IPL device stands at € 3,000 but may reach €40,000. For reference, laser machines start around €5,000 but market leaders are often priced at €80,000-100,000.

Photorejuvenation treatments are generally less expensive as well,  and therefore, allow targeting a wider audience. Their price depends on the size of the area being treated. Usually, the average session cost varies from €200 to 600, and the patient may require 4 to 6 treatments (at 3-week intervals) for the best result. 

The average Intense Pulsed Light session time is from 20 to 30 minutes, including consultations and time needed for the equipment setup. If you work a full 8-hour day and take a 1-hour lunch, a very rough estimate gives from €2,800 to €4,200 of daily income with a fully booked schedule. 

• Finally, IPL equipment allows forays into adjacent terrains like the hair removal market. 

When talking about IPL hair removals, the treatment cost may start at as low as €40-45 for a smaller area like the chin or upper lip and reach €300-450 for larger body areas, for example, the chest. With a busy 8-hour schedule, you may earn as much as €1,200-3,200 per day only with hair removals. 

Of course, you should consider rental (if any) and utility costs, marketing expenses, operator’s wages, and the cost of treatment consumables like numbing cream, coolants, and antiseptics. Do not forget about package deals or IPL specials usually offered to clinic customers as a part of promotional strategy. 

Intense Pulsed Light is a safe and well-established aesthetic practice that can be extremely profitable for your business. Especially given that skin rejuvenation and hair removal are two of the most popular aesthetic treatments.

The versatility of IPL rejuvenation devices makes them a great instrument for dermatologists and aestheticians. A single convenient machine may be used for cosmetic, aesthetic, and medical applications.

FAQ

Is IPL as effective as laser hair removal?

IPL and laser hair removal are both effective. IPL frequently needs more sessions and may not produce the same level of ultimate hair loss as a laser. Therefore, laser hair removal typically offers faster results. Also, IPL works best with light to medium skin tones only.

Are photofacials popular? 

Photo facials are skin rejuvenation treatments that enhance skin from the inside out. Photofacials have curing, soothing and calming effects. They are popular for their non-invasive and safe nature. The photorejuvenation devices market grows steadily following the increasing demand for Intense Pulsed Light treatments. 

What is the lifespan of IPL machines? 

Generally, at-home IPL devices offer 250 – 400 thousand shots. Professional IPL machines may have up to 1,000,000 shots. With high customer throughput, you’ll be able to offer phototreatments for 2 to 3 years. After that, you‘ll need to buy a new handle to support the same treatment efficiency. 

Can I buy a used IPL laser? 

Sure, you can. Check if your IPL machine is not limited to treating a few specific skin types and conditions. Choose a more updated model that will meet the needs of your business. Free initial training will be a big advantage and significant business savings.   

Do I need a license to operate an IPL machine? 

It greatly depends on local regulations. In most cases, private practices and beauty parlors using IPL devices solely for cosmetic purposes do not need licensing. Some local authorities and insurers may require a qualification certificate after completing special study courses.