Light-based skin rejuvenation for sun damage, brown spots, redness, broken capillaries, uneven tone, and dull texture. Cartessa Elite iQ at our El Segundo location — serving Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Westchester, and the LAX corridor.
At our El Segundo location, both IPL Photofacials and Laser Facials are delivered using the Cartessa Elite iQ — the same platform we use for laser hair removal. Your provider selects the appropriate handpiece and settings based on your skin tone, concern, and treatment goal.
IPL Photofacial uses broad-spectrum intense pulsed light to target pigment and vascular concerns — sun spots, brown patches, redness, and broken capillaries. The light is absorbed by the target chromophore and broken down by the body.
Laser Facial uses targeted laser energy to resurface the skin surface and stimulate collagen — improving overall tone, texture, pore appearance, and radiance. Less targeted than IPL for specific pigment concerns, but broader in its skin quality improvement.
📅 Book Your SessionIPL and laser facials address a wide range of photodamage and skin quality concerns. Your provider will confirm which treatment is right for your specific concern at your session.
Brown spots, sun spots, and flat areas of hyperpigmentation caused by cumulative UV exposure. IPL targets the melanin in these areas, breaking them down so the body can clear them. Spots typically darken briefly before fading — a normal part of the process.
Diffuse facial redness, facial telangiectasias (broken capillaries), and rosacea-related redness respond well to IPL's vascular targeting. The light is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin, collapsing the vessel so the body reabsorbs it.
Patchy, inconsistent tone from sun damage, hormonal pigment, or post-inflammatory marks. A series of IPL sessions progressively evens the tone and creates a more uniform complexion across the face and other treated areas.
Laser facials target the skin surface to stimulate collagen and improve texture and radiance. Skin feels measurably smoother and looks more luminous — a good standalone treatment or complement to other procedures.
The collagen-stimulating effect of laser facials improves the appearance of fine surface lines over a series of treatments. Not as targeted as RF microneedling for deep lines, but effective for early superficial aging and overall skin quality.
One of the most common uses. After a summer of sun exposure, an IPL series clears accumulated spots, evens tone, and resets the complexion. Many patients do this seasonally in late summer or early fall.
Targets sun damage, brown spots, redness, and broken capillaries. A series of 3–5 sessions spaced 3–4 weeks apart produces the most significant and lasting results.
Not sure if IPL or Laser Facial is right for you?
Your provider will assess your skin and recommend the right treatment at your session.Gentle resurfacing for overall skin tone, texture, pore refinement, and luminosity. Minimal downtime. Effective standalone or in a series — and pairs well with IPL on a staggered schedule.
Combining IPL and Laser Facial: Some patients benefit from alternating IPL and laser facial sessions — IPL addressing pigment and vascular concerns, laser facial improving overall texture and collagen in between. Your provider will recommend the best sequencing for your specific goals.
Your provider assesses your skin tone, pigment, and vascular concerns and selects the appropriate handpiece and settings. For IPL, spots may be targeted individually. Sessions take 20–45 minutes depending on the area.
Mild redness is normal and typically resolves within a few hours. For IPL, treated spots may appear slightly darker in the first 5–10 days as the pigment rises to the surface — this is expected and part of the clearance process. Avoid sun exposure and use SPF.
IPL pigment clearance is typically visible within 1–2 weeks. Laser facial improvements in tone and texture develop progressively over the series. Both treatments produce cumulative results — each session builds on the last.
Most patients do a series of 3–5 sessions, then maintain with 1–2 annual sessions. Consistent daily SPF is the single most important factor in preserving results and preventing new photodamage.
"After three IPL sessions my sun spots are almost completely gone. I spent years covering them with makeup and now I barely need it. The spots got a little darker first and then just flaked off. Exactly what they said would happen."
Melissa K., El Segundo"I came in for redness and broken capillaries on my nose and cheeks. Two sessions in and the redness is dramatically reduced. My skin tone looks so much more even and I get asked what I am doing differently all the time."
James R., Manhattan Beach"I did the laser facial series and my skin has never looked this good. It is not dramatic, it is just better in every way. Smoother, brighter, more even. Zero downtime and I went right back to work."
Chloe T., Hawthorne"Got the IPL for my chest after years of sun damage. The spots that had been there for years are gone after four sessions. I can actually wear a V-neck without feeling self conscious. Really happy with how it turned out."
Sandra M., Westchester"My provider recommended alternating IPL and laser facial sessions and that combination really worked for me. The pigment cleared and the texture improved at the same time. My skin has not looked this good in years."
Anthony L., Playa Vista"The spot treatment option was perfect for me. I had one stubborn patch I wanted gone and did not need a full face session. They targeted just that area and it cleared completely. Very happy with how practical the pricing is."
Rachel P., InglewoodIPL (intense pulsed light) uses broad-spectrum light to target specific chromophores — melanin for pigment concerns, oxyhemoglobin for vascular concerns. It is the better choice for sun spots, brown patches, redness, and broken capillaries. Laser Facial uses targeted laser energy for broader skin quality improvement — tone, texture, pore refinement, and collagen stimulation. If your primary concern is pigment or redness, IPL is usually recommended. If your primary concern is dullness, texture, or early aging, a Laser Facial is typically the better fit. Many patients benefit from both on a staggered schedule.
IPL works by targeting the contrast between pigment and surrounding skin — which means it requires careful calibration on darker skin tones where that contrast is lower. The Cartessa Elite iQ allows your provider to adjust settings precisely, and a thorough skin tone assessment is done before any treatment begins. If your skin tone is Fitzpatrick IV or higher, your provider will discuss whether IPL is appropriate and what settings are safe for you. In some cases, a Laser Facial may be recommended instead.
Most patients see meaningful results over a series of 3–5 sessions spaced 3–4 weeks apart. Mild concerns may resolve in fewer. More established sun damage or vascular concerns typically benefit from the full series. Your provider will give you a realistic picture at your first session based on your specific skin and concerns.
Treated pigmented spots typically darken slightly in the 3–7 days following IPL as the melanin absorbs the light and rises to the surface. They then flake or shed off naturally over the following days. This is a normal and expected part of the clearance process — not a side effect. Vascular lesions may appear slightly more red or purple before fading.
Most patients experience mild redness for a few hours after treatment, which resolves the same day. There is no significant downtime for either IPL or Laser Facial. You should avoid sun exposure and apply SPF consistently following treatment. Strong actives like retinol and acids should be paused for a few days before and after sessions.
Yes. Both pair well with neurotoxins, fillers, and RF microneedling on a staggered schedule. If combining with Potenza RF microneedling, your provider will advise on appropriate spacing — generally 2–4 weeks between energy-based treatments. We can coordinate your full treatment plan at El Segundo.
Yes — Klarna, Affirm, CareCredit, and Cherry are all accepted at El Segundo. No clinic fees added to any plan.
Ready to book at our El Segundo location?
425 Main Street · Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Westchester nearby425 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
Between Manhattan Beach and LAX
Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat · By appointment only
No walk-ins
(424) 321-4517 · Text (844) 759-6757
5–10 min: Manhattan Beach, LAX, Westchester
10–15 min: Hawthorne, Inglewood, Playa Vista
15 min: Marina del Rey, Lawndale
Book your session at our El Segundo location. Text us at (844) 759-6757 with any questions — we'll help you figure out the right treatment.
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