Acne most commonly develops when skin cells don't shed properly - the cells stick together and plug up the pores. This blockage encourages an oil called sebum and a bacteria called propionibacterium (P. acnes) to build up in the skin pores, leading to inflammation. The oil is produced by the sebaceous glands. The Allegra IPL system emit safe pulses of light energy to eliminate acne at its source.

The light energy is directed at the affected pores, triggering a photoelectrochemical process that kills bacteria and reduces acne severity in the skin. The overall treatment time is very quick and depends on the amount of acne being treated. Some patients have described the procedure as painless while others have experienced slight discomfort. Overall, the majority of patients find the procedure to be very tolerable with minimal side effects.