IPL vs. V-Beam for Rosacea

asked 1 year ago by 3860anon in westchester, NY
Latest answer by Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Question viewed 1,346 times
Tags: comparison, rosacea

I was recently diagnosed with Rosacea but I also have Melasma. My Melasma is mixed epidermal and dermal and not very noticeable, in fact I don't think my dermatologist would have identified it if I hadn't pointed it out. Which is the best modality for treatment of my vascular Rosacea and carries the least risk of triggering hyperpigmentation? I realize there is always a risk but I'm hoping one is less risky than the other.. I just don't know which.

6 answers to IPL vs. V-Beam for Rosacea

Use Melaquin AM and Melaquin PM with PDL and IPL treatments

I have both laser and IPL in my practice and would use a combination modality treatment with both systems in the setting of pre and post treatment with skin lighteners. I prefer the Melaquin AM and Melaquin PM line of products as pretreatment before IPL and pulsed dye laser.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Go With Vbeam for Rosacea

The Vbeam laser is highly specialized for treating Rosacea. The general idea behind lasers is that they use a single wavelength to accomplish a specific objective. The Vbeam uses the 595nm wavelength because this form of light is easily absorbed by oxygenated hemoglobin carried by your blood cells. This serves as the target point of entry for the laser to enter your skin. Once it is in your blood vessels, it heats the walls which causes them to seal off and become non-functional tissue... more

Sanusi Umar, MD
Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

V-Beam for rosacea

V-beam is a targeted therapy for rosacea. It helps with overall redness as well as dilated blood vessels on the face. You may need multiple treatments to achieve the results you want.

Gary Goldenberg, MD
New York Dermatologist

V-beam vs IPL for rosacea

V-beam is a pulse dye laser that attacks red pigment in your skin, in other words small dilated blood vessels and red spots that are a hallmark of rosacea. The nice thing abot V-beam is that it targets just the red stuff, while sparing the rest of the skin. It does not work as well for the purple vessels though. Usually you may need multiple treatments to improve skin color. This therapy is good in conjunction with topical therapy or medical therapy... more

Joseph Shvidler, MD
Tacoma Facial Plastic Surgeon

Go with the V-beam

The v-beam is a more specific and safer treatment for your blood vessels than any IPL and will usually require far fewer treatments than IPL. If you are trying to get improvement for the melasma, you might be a good candidate for the Fraxel Dual laser. Definitely wear sunscreen after your v-beam treatment given your set of issues.

Laurie Jacobson, MD
Seattle Dermatologist

IPL vs. Vbeam

In general, almost any laser can worsen melasma; however, this risk can be decreased by using a prescription bleaching cream prior to the procedure, such as hydroquinone. In general, the Vbeam is a more targeted therapy for blood vessels, rosacea, and facial redness. This is because the Vbeam is single wavelength of light, whereas the IPL is a broad spectrum of light and is much riskier to use when treating patients with melasma.

Timothy G. Rodgers, MD
Dallas Dermatologist

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