Nordlys™ SWT IPL Skin Rejuvenation

Nordlys SWT IPL is an advanced selective waveband technology by Candela, designed to treat pigmentation, redness, rosacea, vascular lesions, acne, sun damage and uneven skin tone with exceptional precision. Unlike standard IPL devices, Nordlys SWT IPL uses dual filtration and sub-millisecond pulses to deliver energy in a safer, more controlled way, targeting melanin or haemoglobin while protecting the surrounding skin. This results in cleaner, more efficient light delivery, clearer skin, fewer shots per treatment and more reliable outcomes.

Most IPL systems release a broad, unfocused spectrum of light. Nordlys SWT IPL filters out unnecessary wavelengths, allowing only the exact waveband needed to reach the target—whether pigment, redness or vascular lesions. This means:

• More effective pigment clearance
• Better results for rosacea and redness
• Lower risk for burns and pigmentation issues
• More comfortable treatments
• Consistent energy delivery every shot

Its unique dual-filter technology and sub-millisecond pulses (exclusive to Nordlys) make treatments safer and more predictable compared with older or mainstream IPL technologies such as Lumecca, M22 or BBL.

To ensure safety and maximise your results:

• Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 4 weeks
• Do not use self-tanner for 2 weeks
• Avoid retinols, acids and active skincare for 3–5 days
• Stop photosensitising medications where safe (discuss with clinician)
• Do not wax or thread the area for 1 week prior
• Ensure skin is not recently tanned, irritated or inflamed

Following these steps ensures a more predictable reaction and reduces the risk of pigmentation issues.

For the first 48 hours, avoid:

• Heat (saunas, steam rooms, intense exercise)
• Hot showers
• Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs or strong actives
• Picking or scratching the treated area
• Direct sunlight

Wear SPF every day as pigment is more photosensitive during healing.

Immediately after treatment, you may see:

• Mild redness
• Slight darkening of pigmentation. Your skin may appear ‘dirty’ for a few days while your skin is breaking down the pigmentation.
• A warm, flushed sensation
• For pigmentation, the spots may darken and lift over several days
• Mild edema or redness can appear and last 2–3 days, especially around the cheeks and eyes

This is normal and part of the skin-clearing process.

During your Nordlys SWT IPL session, a thin layer of cooling gel is applied to your skin, and the applicator is placed gently onto the area being treated. You’ll feel a quick, warm “snap” of light — much gentler than other IPL systems thanks to the Nordlys SWT IPL dual-filter technology which reduces water absorption and heat.

Your treatment will be customised depending on your skin type and concern — pigmentation, rosacea, acne, broken capillaries, sun damage or rejuvenation. A full-face treatment typically takes around 25 minutes, and you can return to your day straight away.

Nordlys SWT IPL can address multiple conditions:

• Sun damage and pigmentation
• Freckles, sun spots, age spots
• Redness, rosacea and facial flushing
• Broken capillaries and thread veins
• Cherry angiomas and venous lakes
• Keratosis pilaris
• Oily skin and acne (reduces sebum and kills bacteria)Poikiloderma of Civatte
• General skin rejuvenation
• Neck, chest and hand pigmentation
• Skin tone irregularities

You may notice improvement after the very first session, especially in brightness and clarity. Pigmentation continues to fade over 1–3 weeks as the oxidised pigment moves to the surface, while vascular improvements typically appear over several sessions.

Skin looks progressively clearer, calmer and more even with each treatment.

Unlike standard IPLs such as BBL, M22 or Lumecca, the Nordlys SWT IPL eliminates unnecessary wavelengths that cause excessive heat, discomfort and risk.

Nordlys SWT IPL advantages:

• Dual filtration decreases water absorption, reducing pain and improving safety.
• Sub-millisecond pulse control allows precise targeting of vessels and pigments.
• Clinical intelligence automatically adjusts pulse duration and energy for accuracy.
• More uniform light distribution, reducing striping and hot spots.
• Proven vascular and pigmentation clearance as shown in multiple published medical case studies.

This makes Nordlys SWT IPL one of the safest, most powerful and most comfortable IPL systems available in London.

Because SWT filters out long infrared wavelengths that overheat the skin, Nordlys carries lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in Fitzpatrick III–IV skin types, which are common in London. Traditional IPL devices often overheat deeper water-rich tissue, causing:

• swelling
• rebound pigmentation
• striping
• inconsistent results

Nordlys avoids these pitfalls, giving you clean oxidation, better lesion clearance and smoother recovery.

You will feel a quick, warm flick—similar to a small snap—but the treatment is very tolerable. Nordlys SWT IPL is known for being more comfortable because:

• It requires fewer shots
• The light is filtered to reduce unnecessary heat
• Applicators glide smoothly across the skin
• The pulses are extremely fast

Treatments are generally faster and gentler than other IPL machines.

Yes — one of the unique advantages of Nordlys SWT IPL is its ability to reduce acne by decreasing blood supply to sebaceous glands and destroying bacteria. Nordlys SWT IPL treatments reduce the blood supply to the sebaceous glands, slowing down sebum production. This is why Nordlys SWT IPL is effective for active breakouts, congestion, oiliness and inflammatory acne.

Nordlys SWT IPL is safer than traditional IPL systems, but caution is required for darker skin types. The PR 530 and VL 555 filters have been designed with safety in mind, yet permanent melanin still absorbs some light. During consultation, we assess your skin type, recent sun exposure and concerns before deciding if Nordlys SWT IPL is suitable.

If IPL is not appropriate, we will recommend alternatives such as Hollywood Spectra Laser Gold Toning, Ultra LaseMD, eCO2, or Exosomes or Rejuran Polynucleotides.

Most people require a course of 3–6 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart, depending on their concern:

• Rosacea: usually 6 sessions
• Pigmentation: 3–6 sessions
• Oily skin or acne: 3–6 sessions
• Broken capillaries: 1–3 sessions
• Cherry angiomas or venous lakes: often 1 session

Your treatment plan will be customised during consultation.

Nordlys SWT IPL stands apart because it uses a narrower, more selective light waveband, while systems like BBL, M22 and Lumecca use broader, less refined spectrums.

Here is the key difference:

Nordlys SWT IPL (Selective Waveband Technology)

• Extremely specific filtration
• Less heat in the skin
• Lower risk
• More uniform pulses
• Better safety profile for more skin types
• FDA clearances for 21 indications

BBL (BroadBand Light)

• High energy
• Broader spectrum
• Can be effective, but generates more heat

Lumecca IPL

• Very intense, higher output
• Good for lighter skin types
• Higher risk for pigment changes in darker tones

M22 IPL

• Versatile and widely used
• Can treat multiple indications
• Broader spectrum = more heat

Nordlys SWT IPL delivers more precise energy, meaning fewer side effects, more natural results, and suitability for a wider range of skin tones and concerns.