IPL, or intense pulsed light, is a technology that uses high-intensity pulses of light to remove hair, treat acne, and improve the appearance of the skin. It was first developed in the 1990s by researchers at Harvard University and the Massachusetts General Hospital. The technology was initially used to treat vascular lesions, and it was later discovered that it could also be effective for hair removal and other skin treatments.

IPL works by emitting a broad spectrum of light that is absorbed by the skin and converted into heat, which destroys the targeted cells. The heat generated by the IPL treatment also stimulates the production of collagen, which can help improve the appearance of the skin.