Milwaukee Photofacial doctors
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Andrew Campbell, MD
Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon
1411 North Taylor Drive, Sheboygan |
2 answers | |
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Kenneth Dembny, II, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon
201 N. Mayfair Rd. Suite 530, Wauwatosa |
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Recent Answers
How many for improvement, and then how often to sustain the improvement?
A photofacial can be performed with a variety of intense pulsed light machines, and can be customized for each individuals anatomy. At Quintessa Medical Spa, we typically treat patients with a very aggressive photofacial with multiple passes of the broad band light over the face. This more aggressive approach means we need fewer treatments, typically two is all that is required for most patients. We then recommend a treatment every 6 to 12 months as well as good skin care and sun protection.
Andrew C. Campbell, M.D.
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
I am now 40, 3/4 Asian & 1/4 Caucasian and my skin is probably a medium Type 3. In Oct 2008, I purchased/started a package of 6 photo facial treatments (they call it IPO? not IPL), 2 Microdermabrasion treatments, and 2 Alpha peel treatments at a spa owned by a doctor, hoping this time, hyperpigmentation on my face would start fading. I couldn't see any noticeable effects after 3 photo facial treatments & 2 microdermabrasion treatments. Then, at my 4th photo facial treatment, the technician went very aggressive to see optimal results (She told me after the 4th treatment).
I was also recommended for a peel a week after that, and I did. It's been 3 weeks after the 4th Photo Facial session, and now I'm pretty sure I have PIH by my eyes as well as on my cheeks. Although a very, very heavy concealer can camouflage them to some degree, I would want to hide and cry every single day. During the course of my treatments, I was using 2 levels of bleaching cream (containing 5% or 8% hydroquinone & tretinoin) every other day and stopped using it 4 days prior to the next photo facial treatment. In addition, I've been using either SPF 45 or 58 every single day.
I have 2 Photo Facial treatments left at this doctor's spa. Is it still possible for the Photo Facial treatments at this spa to improve my PIH, or should I discontinue right away? If I should discontinue, what would be the effective treatment options left for me, given I have already tried Photo Facial, TCA peel, hydroquinone/tretinoin and Microdermabrasion? I desperately need professional help/opinions.
Thank you so much in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience.
I'm sure that what you are describing is PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
First, an SPF of 45 or 58 is not what you need. You need a sun BLOCK, not a sun SCREEN. A block contains micronized zinc oxide and / or titanium dioxide and truly blocks the sun's rays. This needs to be worn daily from sun up to sun down. I can't stress the importance of sun protection more.
Secondly, I have found that IPL or IPO (whatever that is) is inadequate in treating PIH. In the past, I have treated patient's with daily hydroquinone, 4% or 8% DAILY as long as it doesn't cause irritation. The tretinoin is helpful, but if irritation occurs, it would be the first thing I would tell you to quit using. Recently, we have been using BBL, or broad band light, a type of IPL from Sciton that seems to work much better than the older IPL we used to have. I treat PIH with BBL now and have good results.
Nothing will make the pigment disappear quickly. It is a combination of sun protection (the most important), hydroquinone, and possibly BBL, plus a fair amount of time (maybe 6 months), and your skin should be looking great again.
