Over the past year and a half I have had 3 full face IPL treatments (Photofacial and Syneron) for sunspots and freckles. I am a female caucasian with pale white skin that burns and develop freckles easily. The first 2 times I had good results, though I had a few hyperpigmentation spots on my forehead and chin. But the last time I had it done--which was 6 months ago now--I had 2 burns on my face around the chin area. Now my face has white scar-like spots (small and round) on at least 10 different spots. Are these scars and will they go away? And if they are scars what should I do? Also, what would you suggest I do for the hyperpigmentation? I also notice pock like indentations on my cheeks. My neck seems to have loose skin now. Are these things temporary? What can I do or use to help? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Answer: IPL Side Effects I am sorry to hear that you have had some complications from IPL. In general, when performed by an experienced provider IPL is extremely safe and well tolerated. However, there are some real complications that can occur if people are not cautious and start conservative with treatment parameters. It sounds like you have a couple different issues going on. First, the areas of hyperpigmentation are likely PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Depending on how recent these are I will initially treat this with topical steroid creams, but this is usually only effective within the first few days and weeks after the pigment occurs. Sometimes enough time will improve them but if not any better after a few months I prefer using one or a combination of topical lightening creams, microneedling, PRP, and fractional laser. The areas of hypopigmentation (white areas) sound like either scars which unfortunately are more difficult to treat, or potentially simply areas that were overrated and lost some natural pigment. If it is the latter then time may be all that is needed for the pigment to come back (can take months or years) or sometimes additional laser around the areas to even out the skin can help. If it is true scarring then multiple treatments with microneelding, ablative and non-ablative fractional laser, and sometimes topical brimatoprost can help reduce the scar and improve the color. In regards to the changes in your neck, it is difficult to say. IPL does not changes volume or skin laxity/elasticity. I would just recommend watching that for now.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: IPL Side Effects I am sorry to hear that you have had some complications from IPL. In general, when performed by an experienced provider IPL is extremely safe and well tolerated. However, there are some real complications that can occur if people are not cautious and start conservative with treatment parameters. It sounds like you have a couple different issues going on. First, the areas of hyperpigmentation are likely PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Depending on how recent these are I will initially treat this with topical steroid creams, but this is usually only effective within the first few days and weeks after the pigment occurs. Sometimes enough time will improve them but if not any better after a few months I prefer using one or a combination of topical lightening creams, microneedling, PRP, and fractional laser. The areas of hypopigmentation (white areas) sound like either scars which unfortunately are more difficult to treat, or potentially simply areas that were overrated and lost some natural pigment. If it is the latter then time may be all that is needed for the pigment to come back (can take months or years) or sometimes additional laser around the areas to even out the skin can help. If it is true scarring then multiple treatments with microneelding, ablative and non-ablative fractional laser, and sometimes topical brimatoprost can help reduce the scar and improve the color. In regards to the changes in your neck, it is difficult to say. IPL does not changes volume or skin laxity/elasticity. I would just recommend watching that for now.
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CONTACT NOW April 17, 2017
Answer: IPL side effects Older IPL systems have a low threshold between effective treatment and a facial burn. A burn can result in transient tiger striping, hyperpigmentation or can result in much harder issues to resolve such as hypopigmentation or scarring. Newer IPL systems are much more powerful but targeted in their delivery system and less likely to cause these issues, particularly coupled with a reputable aesthetic physician's office.
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CONTACT NOW April 17, 2017
Answer: IPL side effects Older IPL systems have a low threshold between effective treatment and a facial burn. A burn can result in transient tiger striping, hyperpigmentation or can result in much harder issues to resolve such as hypopigmentation or scarring. Newer IPL systems are much more powerful but targeted in their delivery system and less likely to cause these issues, particularly coupled with a reputable aesthetic physician's office.
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February 22, 2016
Answer: BBL : Low Risk Treatments Sciton® BBL technology treats sun-damaged and aging skin effectively. The light energy delivered by the BBL will gently be absorbed by the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions in the upper layers of the skin. Pigmented lesions can be removed by full-face or spot-treat superficial resurfacing. Red veins will simply disappear! Pigmentation is not scarring and can be remedied with the BBL by a skilled provider.#BBLtreatments #lowrisklasers #BBLsideeffects
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CONTACT NOW February 22, 2016
Answer: BBL : Low Risk Treatments Sciton® BBL technology treats sun-damaged and aging skin effectively. The light energy delivered by the BBL will gently be absorbed by the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions in the upper layers of the skin. Pigmented lesions can be removed by full-face or spot-treat superficial resurfacing. Red veins will simply disappear! Pigmentation is not scarring and can be remedied with the BBL by a skilled provider.#BBLtreatments #lowrisklasers #BBLsideeffects
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February 22, 2016
Answer: Little -to -No Side Effects After IPL/ BBL Treatments Sciton® BBL technology treats sun-damaged and aging skin effectively. The light energy delivered by the BBL will gently be absorbed by the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions in the upper layers of the skin. Over the next few days the pigmented lesions will darken and fall off. Pigmented lesions can be removed by full-face or spot-treat superficial resurfacing. Red veins will simply disappear! Gentle cleansing without harsh products for a few days is recommended as well as a broad spectrum sunscreen. #ScitonBBL #BBLtreatsspots #IPLBBL
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CONTACT NOW February 22, 2016
Answer: Little -to -No Side Effects After IPL/ BBL Treatments Sciton® BBL technology treats sun-damaged and aging skin effectively. The light energy delivered by the BBL will gently be absorbed by the unwanted melanin responsible for pigmented lesions in the upper layers of the skin. Over the next few days the pigmented lesions will darken and fall off. Pigmented lesions can be removed by full-face or spot-treat superficial resurfacing. Red veins will simply disappear! Gentle cleansing without harsh products for a few days is recommended as well as a broad spectrum sunscreen. #ScitonBBL #BBLtreatsspots #IPLBBL
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June 6, 2016
Answer: Pigment irregularity...
The descriptions of the scars are not entirely consistent with the shape of the Syneron handpiece (rectangular) or the rails. You may be having some pigment irregularity from past scarring and the IPL removed the pigment over the scar. Loose skin is not caused by any laser I know of. The pock like indentions can be treated with a fractional laser system by a reputable company and competent practitioners.
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Answer: Pigment irregularity...
The descriptions of the scars are not entirely consistent with the shape of the Syneron handpiece (rectangular) or the rails. You may be having some pigment irregularity from past scarring and the IPL removed the pigment over the scar. Loose skin is not caused by any laser I know of. The pock like indentions can be treated with a fractional laser system by a reputable company and competent practitioners.
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