IPL Stellar M22 Photofacial in Los Cabos, Mexico

Introduction

Sun exposure, aging, and changes in the skin's pigment and blood vessels can gradually create brown spots, redness, visible capillaries, and an uneven complexion. In Los Cabos, where sun exposure is particularly intense, these concerns are especially common.

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a non-invasive light-based treatment used to improve pigmentation, redness, and other visible signs of sun damage. Unlike a laser, which typically uses a specific wavelength of light, IPL delivers a broad spectrum of light that can be filtered and adjusted to target different skin concerns.

At Cabo Plastic Surgery, we use the Stellar M22™ by Lumenis, an advanced medical IPL platform that allows treatment parameters and filters to be selected according to the patient's skin type and specific concern.

But technology alone does not determine the result. Proper patient selection, accurate diagnosis of the skin concern, appropriate treatment settings, and careful sun management are equally important.

Our approach is therefore not simply to treat the spots, but to evaluate the skin as a whole and determine whether IPL — and which treatment strategy — is appropriate for your skin.

IPL Stellar M22 at a Glance

Treatment	IPL Stellar M22 photofacial.
Purpose	Improve sun damage, pigmentation, redness, visible capillaries, and uneven skin tone.
Common areas	Face, neck, décolletage, hands, and other sun-exposed areas.
Technology	Intense Pulsed Light with adjustable filters and treatment parameters.
Anesthesia / comfort	Topical numbing for added comfort.
Treatment time	Approximately 20–30 minutes for the full face.
Setting	In-office.
Downtime	Minimal; most patients return to normal daily activities the same day.
Typical series	3–5 sessions, individualized according to the condition being treated.
Treatment interval	Typically 3–4 weeks apart.
Maintenance	Periodic treatments may help maintain results as sun exposure and skin aging continue.
Commonly combined with	ResurFX™ fractional laser resurfacing, including Photofabulous treatment.

IPL treatment is highly dependent on appropriate patient selection, skin type, recent sun exposure, and the condition being treated. A personalized skin assessment determines whether IPL is appropriate and which treatment parameters should be used.

Our Philosophy: Treat the Skin, Not Just the Spots

IPL treatment should begin with understanding why pigmentation, redness, or uneven tone is present — not simply identifying a visible spot and applying light to it.

Different skin concerns respond differently to light-based treatment, and factors such as skin type, recent sun exposure, pigmentation patterns, vascular changes, and previous treatments can influence both safety and results.

At Cabo Plastic Surgery, each treatment is planned according to the patient's skin and the specific concerns being addressed. The Stellar M22 allows us to adjust filters and treatment parameters rather than relying on a single standardized approach.

Just as importantly, IPL is not the right treatment for every skin concern. When another technology — or no treatment at all — is more appropriate, that should be part of the recommendation.

The goal is not simply clearer skin after one treatment, but a treatment strategy that improves skin tone while protecting the health and quality of the skin over time.

What Is IPL & How Does It Work?

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a non-invasive light-based technology used to improve pigmentation, redness, visible blood vessels, and other signs of sun-damaged skin.

Unlike a laser, which typically delivers a specific wavelength of light, IPL produces a broad spectrum of light. Filters allow selected wavelength ranges to be used according to the skin concern being treated.

The light is absorbed by specific targets, or chromophores, within the skin:

• Melanin absorbs light when treating brown spots, sun damage, and selected pigmentation.
• Hemoglobin absorbs light when treating redness, visible capillaries, and selected vascular concerns.

The absorbed light is converted into heat, selectively affecting the targeted pigment or blood vessel while minimizing injury to surrounding tissue. The body then gradually clears the treated pigment or vascular structures.

The Stellar M22 further allows the provider to adjust filters, pulse characteristics, energy, and other treatment parameters according to the patient's skin and the condition being treated.

Why the IPL Platform Matters

IPL describes a category of light-based technology, not a single standardized treatment. Different systems vary in their available filters, pulse characteristics, energy delivery, cooling, and ability to customize treatment for different skin concerns.

At Cabo Plastic Surgery, we use the Stellar M22™ by Lumenis, a medical IPL platform designed to provide precise control over how light energy is delivered to the skin. Key features include:

• Multiple ExpertFilters™ — allow different wavelength ranges to be selected according to the condition being treated.
• Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT®) — controls energy distribution throughout the pulse for more consistent and controlled energy delivery.
• Multiple Sequential Pulsing (MSP™) — divides energy into sequential pulses with cooling intervals between them, helping protect the epidermis while delivering energy to the intended target.
• SapphireCool™ contact cooling — provides continuous cooling at the skin's surface for added comfort and epidermal protection.
• Multiple lightguides — allow treatment of both larger areas and smaller, more precise targets.
• Science-based treatment presets — provide established starting parameters that can then be adjusted according to the patient's skin type, condition, and clinical response.

What Can IPL Stellar M22 Treat?

IPL is particularly useful when pigmentation and redness occur together, which is common in sun-exposed skin. By selecting appropriate filters and treatment parameters, different chromophores within the skin can be targeted during a personalized treatment plan.

Sun damage & brown spots

Years of ultraviolet exposure can lead to sun spots, freckles, age spots, and areas of uneven pigmentation. IPL targets excess melanin within these areas. After treatment, pigmented spots may temporarily become darker before gradually flaking or fading as the treated pigment is cleared.

Redness, rosacea & visible capillaries

IPL can also target hemoglobin within superficial blood vessels, making it useful for selected patients with:

• Facial redness.
• Erythema associated with rosacea.
• Visible facial capillaries.
• Facial telangiectasias.
• Selected vascular lesions.

As treated vessels respond and are gradually cleared, redness can become less noticeable and the complexion more even.

Uneven skin tone & photodamage

Many patients do not have a single isolated concern. Instead, years of sun exposure produce a combination of brown pigmentation, redness, and uneven tone. By addressing both pigment and vascular changes, IPL photorejuvenation can create a clearer, more uniform complexion and improve the overall appearance of photodamaged skin.

Common treatment areas

• Face.
• Neck.
• Décolletage.
• Hands.
• Selected areas of the arms and body.

Is IPL Right for Me?

IPL Stellar M22 may be appropriate for patients who want to improve visible sun damage, pigmentation, redness, or uneven skin tone with a non-surgical treatment and minimal downtime.

Darker skin tones require particularly careful evaluation because greater epidermal melanin can increase the risk of burns or unwanted pigmentation changes with IPL. In some patients, a different technology may provide a safer or more appropriate treatment option.

Pregnancy, medications, previous skin treatments, history of abnormal pigmentation or scarring, and relevant medical conditions should also be discussed before treatment. The decision to proceed with IPL should be based on a skin assessment — not simply on the presence of brown spots or redness.

Consultation & Skin Assessment

Your IPL treatment begins with an evaluation of your skin, the concerns you would like to improve, and the factors that may influence treatment safety and effectiveness. During your consultation, we assess:

• Skin type and natural pigmentation.
• Brown spots, sun damage, and areas of uneven pigmentation.
• Redness, rosacea, and visible blood vessels.
• Recent sun exposure or tanning.
• Previous laser, IPL, or other aesthetic treatments.
• Medications and products that may increase photosensitivity.
• Relevant medical and skin history.
• Your treatment goals and expectations.

An important part of the assessment is determining what is actually causing the discoloration. Not every brown spot or area of redness should be treated in the same way, and suspicious or undiagnosed lesions should be medically evaluated rather than treated cosmetically.

If IPL is appropriate, the treatment plan is customized according to your skin type and the condition being treated. The Stellar M22 allows different filters, pulse characteristics, and energy settings to be selected and adjusted according to the treatment objective and your skin's response.

We also consider whether IPL alone is likely to provide the desired improvement, or whether another treatment — such as ResurFX™ or a different skin-rejuvenation approach — would better address your concerns.

The Treatment Experience

Recovery & Aftercare

Immediately after treatment, the skin may appear mildly red or feel warm, similar to a light sunburn. Mild swelling can also occur, particularly in areas where pigmentation or vascular concerns have been treated. These effects usually improve progressively after treatment.

What happens to brown spots?

Pigmented areas often become temporarily darker after IPL. This is an expected response as the targeted pigment begins to break down and move toward the skin's surface.

Over the following days, these areas may develop a darker, finely textured appearance before gradually fading or flaking away. They should be allowed to clear naturally rather than picked, scrubbed, or aggressively exfoliated.

Aftercare

• Use gentle skincare products while the skin is sensitive.
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, or exfoliating treated areas.
• Avoid excessive heat, including saunas and hot tubs, during the early recovery period.
• Resume retinoids, exfoliating acids, and other potentially irritating products only as directed.
• Do not pick or peel darkened pigmented areas.
• Follow any individualized skincare instructions provided after treatment.

Sun protection is essential

Avoid direct sun exposure while the skin is recovering and use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Hats, shade, and other physical sun-protection measures are particularly important when outdoors in Los Cabos.

Sun protection is also important between treatment sessions. Tanning or significant UV exposure can increase the risk of unwanted pigment changes and may require postponing your next IPL treatment.

Results & How Many Sessions Will I Need?

IPL results develop progressively as treated pigment and vascular changes are cleared by the body. Some patients notice improvement after the first session. Brown spots may initially darken and then gradually fade or flake, while redness and visible blood vessels often improve more gradually.

How many IPL sessions are needed?

The number of treatments depends on your skin, the condition being treated, its severity, and your response to each session. Many patients benefit from a series of approximately 3–5 treatments, typically spaced several weeks apart. Some concerns may require fewer treatments, while more extensive sun damage, redness, or vascular changes may require additional sessions.

Your progress is evaluated throughout the treatment series so that subsequent sessions can be adjusted when appropriate.

How long do IPL results last?

Improvements can be long-lasting, but IPL does not stop skin aging or prevent new sun damage. Continued UV exposure can produce new pigmentation and vascular changes over time. Daily sun protection and appropriate skincare are therefore important for maintaining results, and some patients choose periodic maintenance treatments as new sun damage or redness develops.

IPL as Part of a Broader Skin Rejuvenation Plan

IPL is particularly effective for concerns related to skin colour — brown pigmentation, sun damage, redness, and visible superficial blood vessels. However, these are often only part of the changes associated with sun exposure and aging. Other concerns may include:

• Fine lines.
• Uneven or rough skin texture.
• Enlarged pores.
• Acne scars.
• Loss of collagen and skin quality.

These concerns may respond better to a different technology or to a combination treatment. At Cabo Plastic Surgery, the goal is not to use multiple treatments simply because they are available — each technology should address a specific component of the skin concern.

For example, IPL can target unwanted pigmentation and vascular changes, while ResurFX™ non-ablative fractional laser treatment addresses texture and stimulates collagen remodeling. When both skin tone and texture are concerns, these technologies may be combined as part of a broader treatment plan.

IPL + ResurFX™: Photofabulous™

For patients with both uneven skin tone and textural changes, IPL Stellar M22 can be combined with ResurFX™ non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing during the same treatment session. This combination is known as Photofabulous™.

By performing the treatments sequentially, Photofabulous can address both skin tone and texture in a single appointment.

Who may benefit from Photofabulous?

• Sun spots and uneven pigmentation.
• Facial redness or visible capillaries.
• Uneven or rough skin texture.
• Fine lines.
• Enlarged pores.
• Selected acne scars.
• General signs of photodamage.

Not every patient who benefits from IPL also needs ResurFX. If pigmentation or redness is the primary concern, IPL alone may be sufficient. Likewise, when texture or collagen remodeling is the principal goal, ResurFX may be recommended independently.

Risks & Considerations

IPL Stellar M22 is generally well tolerated in appropriately selected patients, but all light-based treatments involve potential risks.

The risk of unwanted pigment changes or epidermal injury can be greater in patients with darker skin tones, recent tanning, or significant sun exposure. Appropriate patient selection, treatment settings, and sun avoidance before and after treatment are therefore important.

IPL should not be performed over active skin infections or significant inflammatory skin conditions, and suspicious or undiagnosed pigmented lesions should be medically evaluated before cosmetic treatment. Protective eyewear is required during IPL treatment to protect the eyes from the intense light.

Individual risks depend on your skin type, medical history, medications, recent sun exposure, and the condition being treated. These factors are reviewed before treatment so that IPL can be recommended — or avoided — when appropriate.

Why Choose Cabo Plastic Surgery for IPL Stellar M22?

Successful IPL treatment depends on more than the device itself. Appropriate patient selection, accurate evaluation of the skin concern, careful treatment planning, and proper use of the technology all influence safety and results. Your care includes:

• Advanced IPL technology — the Stellar M22 provides multiple filters, adjustable treatment parameters, controlled pulse delivery, and continuous contact cooling.
• Individualized treatment settings — planned according to your skin type, pigmentation, vascular concerns, recent sun exposure, and treatment goals.
• Careful patient selection — not every brown spot, area of redness, or skin type should automatically be treated with IPL.
• A comprehensive approach — when texture, fine lines, or collagen quality are also concerns, treatments such as ResurFX™ may be incorporated when appropriate.
• Conservative treatment planning — the goal is to use the appropriate technology and settings for your skin rather than treating every patient with the same protocol.
• Medical oversight — treatment is performed within Dr. Roberto López Konschot's medical practice, with follow-up available when needed.
• More than 20 years of surgical experience — Dr. López Konschot brings extensive experience in aesthetic medicine, facial anatomy, and patient care to the treatment philosophy of Cabo Plastic Surgery.

Technology gives us greater control over treatment. How that technology is selected and used for each individual patient is what turns it into a personalized treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment & candidacy

Is IPL the same as a laser?

No. IPL uses a broad spectrum of light that can be filtered to target different chromophores within the skin. Lasers typically use a more specific wavelength of light. Both are energy-based technologies, but they work differently and are selected according to the condition being treated.

Is all IPL technology the same?

No. IPL refers to a category of light-based technology rather than a single device. Systems differ in their filters, pulse characteristics, cooling, energy delivery, and available treatment parameters.

We use the Stellar M22™ by Lumenis because these variables can be adjusted according to the patient's skin and treatment goals.

Can IPL treat both brown spots and redness?

Yes. IPL can target melanin responsible for selected brown pigmentation as well as hemoglobin within superficial blood vessels. This makes it particularly useful for patients who have a combination of sun spots, redness, visible capillaries, and uneven skin tone.

Can IPL be used on darker skin tones?

Possibly, but careful evaluation is essential. Higher levels of epidermal melanin can increase the risk of burns and unwanted pigmentation changes. Skin type, recent sun exposure, the condition being treated, and available treatment parameters all influence whether IPL is appropriate. In some patients, another technology may be safer or more effective.

Treatment & recovery

Does IPL hurt?

Most patients describe IPL as a series of brief warm snaps or light elastic-band sensations. The Stellar M22 incorporates contact cooling, and topical numbing may also be used for additional comfort when appropriate.

Why do my brown spots look darker after IPL?

Temporary darkening of treated pigmentation is an expected response. Over the following days, the targeted pigment gradually moves toward the surface and may fade or flake away. These areas should not be picked or aggressively exfoliated.

Can I wear makeup after IPL?

Many patients can resume makeup relatively quickly when the skin is comfortable and intact. Individual instructions may vary depending on the intensity of treatment and your skin's response.

How important is sun protection after IPL?

Very important. Recent tanning and significant UV exposure can increase treatment risk, and the skin should be carefully protected during recovery and throughout a treatment series. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, shade, hats, and other physical sun-protection measures are particularly important in Los Cabos.

Results & treatment planning

How many IPL sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on your skin and the condition being treated. Many patients benefit from a series of approximately 3–5 treatments spaced several weeks apart, although some concerns may require fewer or additional sessions. Your response is evaluated throughout the series and the treatment plan adjusted when appropriate.

Can IPL be combined with ResurFX™?

Yes. When both skin tone and texture are concerns, IPL Stellar M22 can be followed by ResurFX non-ablative fractional laser treatment during the same session. This combination, known as Photofabulous™, allows IPL to address pigmentation and vascular changes while ResurFX targets texture and stimulates collagen remodeling.

Cost & Pricing

Treatment	Price
Individual IPL session	$300 USD
Package of 4 sessions	$900 USD

The package includes a fourth session at no additional cost. The number of treatments you need depends on your skin, the concerns being treated, and your response to each session — although many patients benefit from a treatment series, purchasing a package does not mean that every patient requires the same protocol. Your recommended treatment plan will be discussed after evaluating your skin.

Package terms

• Non-transferable.
• Valid for one year from the date of purchase.
• Intended for use by the patient for whom the treatment plan was established.

Post-treatment consultations related to your IPL treatment are included as part of your care. When IPL is combined with ResurFX™ as Photofabulous™, pricing is based on the combined treatment plan and will be discussed during your consultation.

IPL Treatment During Your Stay in Los Cabos

IPL Stellar M22 is an in-office treatment with minimal downtime, so it can often be incorporated into a visit to Los Cabos. However, sun exposure is an important consideration when planning treatment.

Recently tanned or significantly sun-exposed skin may increase treatment risk. After IPL, direct sun exposure and tanning should be avoided while the skin is recovering. This means no intentional sunbathing, tanning, or prolonged unprotected exposure after treatment.

If you are planning IPL during your stay:

• Avoid tanning and significant sun exposure before treatment.
• Avoid direct sun exposure after treatment.
• Do not sunbathe or intentionally tan during the recovery period.
• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and seek shade when outdoors.
• Avoid excessive heat and irritating skin treatments during early recovery.
• Follow your individualized aftercare instructions.

If your vacation includes significant beach, pool, boating, or other outdoor activities with unavoidable sun exposure, IPL should generally be scheduled after those activities rather than before them. If your skin is actively tanned or has had substantial recent sun exposure, postponing treatment may be the safer recommendation.