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IPL or Laser Treatments for Rosacea Treatment?

I have rosacea and my skin is very sensitive. Which would be better, IPL or laser treatments?

A bad experience with IPL on my chest left welts under the hands of an experienced nurse practitioner, with a good reputation, and who worked with a prominent dermatologist. The treatments did reduce the redness and brown spots without any any scarring, thankfully. I definitely want to improve the texture and eliminate the redness on my face but I'm very nervous after the bad experience, especially to have it on my face!

Asked 32 months ago by zencat in San Diego
Sort 3 expert answers by:
+2

Either IPL or the Vbeam laser would be excellent choices

Thank you for your question. Both IPL and the Vbeam (Flash Lamp Pulsed Dye) laser are excellent choices for rosacea treatment and would work well for anyone with sensitive skin. I am sorry that you had experienced burning with the previous IPL treatment, but I am happy that you achieved good results. Getting burned with IPL is more a function of setting choices rather than sensitive skin. When you choice to do IPL again, simply ask your physician to use lower settings and then increase the... more
Don Mehrabi, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologist
+1

IPL works well for Rosacea

In our practice we prefer IPL for the treatment of rosacea, because there is less bruising. Usually, a treatment cycle of 4-6 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart works well for most patients.
Robert Kasten, MD
Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Rosacea laser treatments

Both IPL and laser are good options for rosacea. IPL tends to require more treatments but be better tolerated (less down time), while laser tends to require fewer treatments but can be more painful and cause more bruising. 
Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologist
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