IPL

Skin quality

Clearer skin. Comfortable treatment.

IPL Glow Facial in Hale, Altrincham

A quick, virtually painless IPL photofacial to help fade pigmentation and stimulate collagen - with no needles and no downtime.

Like the idea of IPL, but not the sharp elastic-band snap people describe? This is a gentler way to have it. Our photofacial uses short bursts of light to work on brown marks, uneven tone and skin texture, while keeping treatment comfortable.

With a 30-minute appointment and no recovery days to arrange, it's easy to fit around work or the school run. You get a treatment that works on the skin itself, with improvements that build over a course.

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Skin treatments with medical oversight at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham.

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Price
£150 per facial session
Downtime
No downtime
Results
Build over a course
Appointment
30 minutes

What you might notice

You want clearer, smoother skin - comfortably

You'd like to see a difference in your skin. You'd also quite like to enjoy the appointment.

Brown marks keep catching your eye

You find yourself putting concealer over the same patches, or notice that your skin looks blotchy without makeup. You'd like a more even complexion.

Your skin could feel smoother

A few fine lines or rough patches are more obvious when you put foundation on. You're interested in stimulating collagen as well as improving the colour of your skin.

You've been putting IPL off

Perhaps you've had an uncomfortable session before, or heard about the sting. You want a treatment that does something for your skin without bracing yourself for every flash.

At a glance

A photofacial that fits into your lunch break

Quick appointments, comfortable treatment and no recovery days to plan around.

Price
£150 per facial session
Three-session package £360; six-session package £630.
Downtime
No downtime
Return to work or your usual plans straight afterwards.
Results
Build over a course
More even skin tone and gradually smoother skin as pigmentation fades and collagen renews.
Appointment
30 minutes
Your initial assessment and patch test are arranged separately from the facial IPL appointment.
Treatment plan
Usually a course
We'll agree the number and spacing of sessions, then review how your skin responds.

The result

Less patchy colour. Smoother-looking skin.

This photofacial works on both pigmentation and collagen: helping brown marks fade while encouraging the skin to renew its supporting structure.

The changes you're looking for are straightforward: those brown marks becoming less noticeable, your complexion looking more even and your skin feeling smoother when you wash your face. Makeup may sit better too.

Pigmentation and collagen don't change at exactly the same pace. Expect improvement to build through a course, with collagen renewal continuing over the weeks afterwards. We'll review your progress so the plan stays useful for your skin.

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Helps fade brown marks and reduce uneven pigmentation.

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Stimulates collagen for gradually smoother-looking skin.

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Can soften very fine lines and improve mild roughness.

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Fits regular skin treatment into a busy diary, without recovery days.

Is it right for you?

For people who want results and a comfortable appointment

This is a good option to explore if you want to improve pigmentation and early changes in skin texture, with as little disruption to your day as possible.

You want more than a temporary glow
You like the ease of a facial, but want to work on brown marks and collagen too. A course gives you a way to make gradual improvements to the skin underneath your makeup.
Comfort matters to you
A treatment doesn't have to hurt to be worth having. This gentler approach is designed for people who want IPL's skin benefits without the usual sting.
You haven't got time for recovery
You can make time for a short appointment. Several days of peeling or hiding at home are another matter. Here, the aim is to treat your skin and let you get straight on with your day.

Choosing your treatment

When a stronger treatment makes more sense

Deep wrinkles, indented acne scars and noticeably loose skin usually need a different approach. Dr Alex can discuss CO2 laser, microneedling or other options if those are your priorities. More stubborn pigmentation or visible facial veins may need a focused treatment plan.

How it works

Working on pigment and collagen, gently

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. The light is absorbed within the skin and converted into heat. It can target excess pigment and stimulate the processes involved in collagen renewal.

Pigment absorbs the light, helping treated brown marks gradually fade. Collagen gives skin its support; encouraging its renewal can improve texture and soften very fine lines over time.

For this gentler photofacial, the light is delivered in a series of short pulses with brief pauses between them. Spreading out the delivery helps make the treatment more comfortable. There are no injections, and the skin's surface isn't removed.

Your appointment

What happens at your IPL facial

Your facial IPL appointment is booked for 30 minutes. Assessment and patch testing come first, so you know what to expect before starting a course.

Consultation

Talk about your skin and your plans

Show us the marks or areas you'd like to improve, and tell us if previous IPL felt uncomfortable. We'll check your skin, skincare, medicines and recent sun exposure before recommending treatment.
Before your course

Check your skin's response

A patch test helps guide suitability and treatment settings. We'll explain how to prepare and when your first full treatment can go ahead.
During treatment

Settle in for your treatment

Your skin is cleansed and protective eyewear is fitted. The handpiece delivers short bursts of light across the agreed area. Treatment is designed to be virtually painless; you may notice gentle warmth or a faint tingling sensation. Tell us if anything feels uncomfortable so we can adjust it.
Afterwards

Carry on with your day

You can return to work or your normal plans straight away. We'll explain gentle skincare, daily SPF and any short-term restrictions on heat or strenuous exercise before you leave.

Why Dr Alex

Why choose Dr Alex for skin rejuvenation?

Dr Alex works with IPL, CO2 laser and RF microneedling, and teaches and presents to other medical professionals on energy-based treatments, including CO2 laser and HIFU.

That experience helps him judge which treatment is worth considering for your skin and how intensive it needs to be. For someone whose priorities are a more even complexion, collagen stimulation and a comfortable appointment, a gentler photofacial can make far more sense than a treatment with a longer recovery. At SONÜ, the plan is reviewed as your skin responds, with medical oversight throughout.

GMC-registered doctor · 7072776

Full Member of BCAM

International toxin trainer

Aesthetics Awards winner 2021

Safety and aftercare

Looking after your skin through the course

A consultation and patch test help establish whether IPL suits your skin. Recent tanning, medicines and a history of pigmentation all need to be considered.

Possible side effects

You can normally carry on with your day after treatment. Brief warmth, pinkness or mild puffiness can occur, and treated brown marks may temporarily look darker before fading. We'll explain what to expect for your skin. Less common IPL risks include burns, blistering, lasting pigment changes and scarring. Protective eyewear is essential throughout.

Avoid tanning and follow your preparation and aftercare advice, including daily sun protection. Tell us about cold sores, previous reactions to light treatments and any changes to your medicines during the course.

When to get urgent help

Contact the clinic promptly for blistering, worsening pain, marked swelling or signs of infection. Eye pain or any change in vision needs urgent medical assessment.

When treatment needs to wait

We won't treat sunburnt or recently tanned skin, active infection or an unexplained skin lesion. A new or changing mole or mark needs assessment by your GP or dermatologist first; SONÜ does not offer mole or skin-lesion diagnosis. Pregnancy, medicines that increase light sensitivity and certain medical conditions may also mean postponing treatment.

You can ask questions, pause treatment or take more time to decide.

Treatment costs

IPL photofacial prices

Facial IPL costs £150 per session. Packages are £360 for three treatments or £630 for six.

Face
£150per session
Three facial sessions
£360per package
Six facial sessions
£630per package
The recommended course and any consultation or patch-test charges are confirmed before booking. Other areas and combinations are quoted separately.
A consultation with Dr Alex costs £75. If you choose to have treatment within 3 months of your consultation, you can put this fee towards it, including at a later appointment. It cannot be used towards skincare products. If you decide not to have treatment, the fee covers your consultation.
Book a consultation
We'll discuss a course that fits your skin and goals before you book. You don't need to choose the longest package to find out whether treatment is right for you.

Your questions

More about your IPL photofacial

What it feels like, what it can improve and how it fits into your routine.

Is this really virtually painless?
That's what this gentler approach is designed for. Short bursts of light spread out the delivery, making treatment more comfortable than the sharp snapping sensation often associated with IPL. You may feel gentle warmth or tingling. The patch test lets you try the sensation before a full appointment.
Can comfortable IPL still stimulate collagen?
Yes. The controlled heating response from IPL can stimulate collagen renewal; the treatment doesn't need to feel sharply painful to work. Collagen helps support your skin, and its renewal can gradually improve texture and very fine lines. We review the change over a course rather than judging it immediately after one appointment.
Will it help pigmentation and brown marks?
Yes, reducing suitable pigmentation is one of the aims of this photofacial. It can help fade brown marks and make your skin tone look more even. We'll assess the marks first: melasma and pigmentation left by inflammation need particular care, and aren't automatically suitable for IPL. More stubborn areas may need a different treatment plan.
Can I go straight back to work afterwards?
Yes, you can normally go straight back to work or your usual plans, without booking recovery days. Follow the aftercare advice, including sun protection and temporarily avoiding hot saunas or strenuous workouts.
How quick is the appointment?
The facial IPL appointment is booked for 30 minutes, making it easy to fit into a lunch break. Your initial assessment and patch test are arranged separately, before the treatment course begins.
How is this different from an ordinary facial or LED?
This photofacial uses IPL to target pigment and stimulate collagen through controlled heating within the skin. It gives you something to work towards over a course: a more even complexion and smoother-looking skin. A traditional facial may focus on cleansing, exfoliation or hydration; LED such as Dermalux uses lower-intensity light for a different treatment response.
How many sessions will I need?
A course is usually the most useful approach. We'll agree the number and spacing after assessing your skin, then review how the pigmentation and texture are changing. Three- and six-session packages are available if a course is right for you.
When will I see results, and how long will they last?
Look for improvement over the weeks and appointments that follow. Brown marks can fade as the skin clears treated pigment, while collagen renewal takes longer. Sun exposure and ongoing ageing affect how long the improvements last. Daily SPF helps protect your results, and maintenance can be discussed once we've seen your response.
Is it suitable for darker or sensitive skin?
That needs an individual assessment. IPL interacts with pigment in the skin, so natural skin colour, recent tanning and a tendency to develop dark marks all affect suitability. If your skin is sensitive or currently irritated, we'll check the cause and whether another approach would suit it better.
Is this the same sort of treatment as BBL?
BBL stands for BroadBand Light and is Sciton's branded form of IPL, used for concerns such as pigmentation and skin rejuvenation. You may have seen BBL HERO or HEROic described as a faster, more comfortable photofacial. Our approach also puts comfort, a short appointment and an easy return to your day at the centre of treatment. The light settings are chosen for your skin and what you'd like to improve.

Other options

Find the skin treatment that fits you

Dermalux offers a relaxing LED treatment; Glass Skin combines IPL with a peel. SkinPen, RF microneedling and CO2 laser offer other ways to improve texture and lines. There are also focused IPL treatments for persistent redness, facial veins and more prominent pigmentation.

Glass Skin treatment in Hale, Altrincham

A gentle peel and IPL combination for smoother-feeling, brighter, more even-looking skin.

Radiofrequency microneedling in Hale, Altrincham

Focus Dual RF microneedling for smoother texture, less obvious pores, softer fine lines and mild wrinkles, and firmer skin.

Your next step

Like the sound of IPL without the sting?

Book a consultation at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. We'll look at the pigmentation or texture you'd like to improve, explain what a course could do for you and arrange a patch test so you can try how this gentler photofacial feels.

Book a consultation Contact the clinic
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics

34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX

Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic

Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire