Repairing Summer Damage: How Candela IPL Targets Sun Spots and Redness

Long days outdoors have a way of showing up on your skin months later. New sun spots, patchy tone, or redness can appear across your cheeks and nose. Skincare and sunscreen help, but some concerns need a closer look. At our practice, Westchester Center for Dermatology, serving Scarsdale, NY, Candela IPL may offer a path forward.

How Does Summer Affect Your Skin?

Repeated sun exposure builds up in the skin over time, even when a burn never appears. UV rays trigger extra pigment production, leading to visible brown or tan patches that surface weeks or months later. UV exposure can also make redness more noticeable by affecting small blood vessels near the surface, leaving cheeks or the nose looking flushed. These changes affect every skin type differently.

Understanding Sun Spots and Redness

Sun spots, sometimes called solar lentigines, are flat brown or tan marks caused by excess pigment in the skin. They tend to appear on the face, hands, shoulders, and chest. Facial redness is a separate concern, often tied to visible blood vessels or conditions like rosacea, and typically calls for a different treatment approach.

Can Skin Care Help Repair Summer Skin Damage?

A basic regimen can help prevent further change:

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen, applied daily
• Gentle cleansing suited to your skin type
• A daily moisturizer
• Topical retinol, used as directed

That said, these steps may not fully resolve pigmentation or redness that has already set in, since these concerns often sit deeper than a topical product reaches.

When Professional Treatment May Be an Option

If sun spots or redness linger despite a solid skin care regimen, professional treatment may be worth exploring. A skin evaluation from a qualified provider comes first, since the right approach depends on your pigmentation, redness, and how your skin tends to respond.

How Candela IPL Targets Sun Spots and Redness

Candela IPL is a light-based treatment used to address certain pigmentation and vascular concerns. IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and it works by sending light energy into the skin.

Here’s how the treatment works:

• Light energy is absorbed by areas with excess pigment or by visible blood vessels
• Surrounding skin is largely left alone
• Treated pigment often fades over the following days and weeks
• Treated vessels may become less visible over time

Results vary, and IPL isn’t a guaranteed fix for every case. Some concerns, such as rosacea, may call for additional support; you can read about our approach to treating rosacea and redness if that sounds like your situation.

What to Expect From IPL Treatment

During a typical session, your provider applies a cooling gel and passes the device over the treatment area, often described as a mild snapping sensation. Afterward, temporary redness, swelling, or sensitivity is common, and treated sun spots may darken slightly before fading. The number of sessions and results can vary, so some people notice a difference after one visit while others benefit from a short series.

Protecting Your Skin After Treatment

Treated skin can be more sensitive to UV exposure, so a few habits matter after IPL:

• Apply and reapply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily
• Limit unnecessary sun exposure right after treatment
• Follow your provider’s post-treatment instructions closely

Ongoing sun protection isn’t just about maintaining results. It also reduces the risk of new sun spots or redness forming down the road. For more guidance on keeping your skin protected beyond the summer months, read our guide to year-round sun protection.

Is Candela IPL Right for Your Skin?

The only way to know is through a one-on-one evaluation, where a qualified provider can assess your pigmentation, redness, and overall skin health before recommending a regimen. Factors like your skin tone, the depth of your sun spots, and how your skin has responded to past treatments all play a role in that decision. Some people are strong candidates for IPL alone, while others may benefit from combining it with other treatments or a longer-term skincare regimen.

An evaluation also gives you a chance to ask questions, talk through your goals, and set realistic expectations for your results.

Trusted Experts for Your Skin

Candela IPL treatments here are performed by a team trained in laser and light-based skin care, guiding you from consultation through aftercare. That team is led by David Kriegel, M.D., a nationally recognized Mohs skin cancer, cosmetic and laser surgeon who founded and directs Westchester Center for Dermatology in Scarsdale, a nationally recognized facility and satellite academic site for Mount Sinai’s skin cancer and cosmetic fellowship program.

Dr. Kriegel has practiced Mohs micrographic and laser surgery since 1994, training at Columbia University and hospitals affiliated with Harvard, Boston University, and Tufts, followed by a fellowship at SUNY Stony Brook. He has directed Mount Sinai Hospital’s Division of Dermatologic and Mohs Surgery since 1997 and its Mohs Surgery Fellowship Program since 2003. This academic background shapes how our whole team approaches your care.

Ready to Address Your Summer Skin Changes?

Sun spots and redness don’t have to be permanent reminders of summer. Schedule a consultation at our Scarsdale, NY office and let our team evaluate your skin in person. Contact us today to find out whether Candela IPL is the right option for you.