What are you looking for?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Nordlys and elōs Plus, both known as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment devices or Photofacial devices, combine light energy and bipolar radiofrequency to resurface skin using lower levels of energy effectively. It’s a great way to tighten and smooth your face or body for younger-looking skin.
You can use Nordlys or elōs Plus for laser facial treatment, addressing wrinkles, stretch marks, acne scars, beard bumps, spider veins, pigment lesions (caused by broken capillaries or rosacea), or other discoloration. It can also tighten pores and re-firm certain areas, such as your stomach or under your chin. Additionally, laser skin tightening treatments with these devices promote collagen production, improving skin elasticity and reducing sagging over time.
Nordlys and elōs Plus improve texture by inducing slight skin damage, stimulating your skin to create new collagen—a natural protein that provides firmness and structure. Collagen declines as we age or are exposed to UV light and toxins like nicotine. This is why our skin eventually loosens and wrinkles. When your body repairs the laser-induced damage, it builds new, even, and taut skin, leading to long-lasting tightening effects.
Nordlys is the latest in IPL technology and can treat a broader spectrum of skin types. Please consult with one of our practitioners to determine which device
Our Intense Pulsed Light services are available at The Institute of Plastic Surgery in Altamonte Springs, and our Winter Park East, Winter Park West, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach locations.
Who is it for?
Patients who want smoother, more even skin. Your face, neck, back, hands, and shoulders can be treated. (We offer three types of laser treatment for discoloration and aging, and two types for scarring. Fractionated CO2 Laser (CO2RE) is the most intense treatment, but it may not be the most effective choice for your particular goals. Our physicians can help you figure out which treatment is best for you.)
If you have a tan, let it fade a few weeks before scheduling a treatment. And if you have naturally dark skin, schedule a consultation prior to treatment to assess your risk of hyperpigmentation. Laser pigmentation removal can effectively target dark spots, but it’s important to determine the safest approach for your skin type.
Because elōs Plus uses lower levels of energy, it’s less invasive than CO2RE, but permanent discoloration is still a risk. For those dealing with melasma, a customized treatment plan, including IPL therapy, may help reduce pigmentation while minimizing side effects. Pregnancy hormones combined with removal treatments like lasers may also lead to hyperpigmentation, so discussing options with your provider is essential. Additionally, some patients experience mild tightening effects from IPL, improving skin texture and tone.
Nordlys and elōs Plus or Intense Pulsed Light is not for tattooed skin or patients who have taken Accutane or another isotretinoin in the past six months. If you have a history of cold sores or herpes, let your doctor know, because this may influence your healing process. It’s a good idea to stop applying harsh exfoliants or acne treatments two days prior to treatment.
What is treatment like?
As the energy enters your skin, you’ll feel a warm, prickly sensation, like a rubber band snap. If necessary, we can provide you with a topical anesthetic. Treatment takes 20 minutes to an hour and involves running a laser “wand” over the targeted area.
For those struggling with melasma, our laser for melasma treatments helps reduce pigmentation and improve skin tone. For about a day following treatment, you may feel and look sunburned. Your skin may have temporary redness or uneven tone, which will resolve within two weeks. Patients from Daytona Beach, Clermont, Orlando, and Altamonte Springs can trust our expertise for great results.
What are the results?
It will take a week or two to see full results, but then you’ll notice rejuvenated, more vibrant, and smoother skin. The effects of treatment may last up to a year.
Physicians who perform this procedure:
Dermatology & Allergy for Intense Pulsed Light
Mid Florida Dermatology & Allergy offers advanced IPL therapy using both the Nordlys and elōs Plus platforms, which are two of the most effective devices available for comprehensive skin rejuvenation.
Whether you are seeking laser pigmentation removal, laser skin tightening, a full laser facial treatment, or a targeted laser for melasma, our physicians tailor every session to your skin type and concerns. We understand that Florida’s year-round sun exposure makes ongoing skin maintenance essential, and our team is equipped to provide safe, effective treatments that deliver lasting improvements in tone, texture, and overall skin health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients achieve their best results after three to five sessions of IPL therapy, spaced four to six weeks apart. Our team will tailor the number of sessions based on your skin concerns and how your skin responds.
IPL-based laser pigmentation removal works best on sun-induced spots and mild discoloration, but pigment types like melasma require a customized approach, as incorrect treatment settings can worsen rather than improve certain pigmentation patterns.
Laser skin tightening with IPL can effectively treat the face, neck, hands, back, and shoulders, as well as targeted zones like the stomach or under the chin that have experienced mild laxity over time.
Before a laser facial treatment, let any active tan fade for several weeks, discontinue harsh exfoliants two days prior, and inform our team of any cold sore history or recent isotretinoin use to avoid complications.
Laser for melasma works best as part of a customized, ongoing plan. Without continued sun protection and possible maintenance sessions, melasma commonly recurs due to hormonal fluctuations or UV exposure, making long-term management essential.
Nordlys is the newer platform and can treat a broader spectrum of skin types, while elōs Plus also delivers excellent results using combined light and radiofrequency energy. Our physicians will recommend the best device for your skin tone and goals.
Most patients describe IPL as a warm, rubber-band snap sensation that is very tolerable. A topical anesthetic can be applied if needed, and most treatments are completed within 20 to 60 minutes with minimal discomfort.
Yes, active tans significantly increase the risk of complications. For Florida patients, scheduling IPL sessions in the fall or winter and limiting sun exposure before and after treatment is strongly recommended for safer, more effective results.
Results typically last up to one year, but because skin continues to age and accumulate UV damage, most patients benefit from annual or semi-annual maintenance sessions to sustain collagen improvements and tone evenness.
Yes, both Nordlys and elōs Plus can address beard bumps caused by ingrown hairs, offering male patients a clinically effective solution for skin irritation and discoloration associated with frequent shaving or curly hair growth.
Before & After
