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Is It Safe to Have PhotoFacial on Healing Facial Scars?

asked 1 year ago by pgaffer in Utah
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 367 times
Tags: face, safety, scar

Three weeks ago, I had enlarged sebaceous glands cauterized. The resulting scabs have fallen off, some naturally and many others prematurely by accident. Now I have several atrophic, reddish scars that are still healing. I would like to get a photo facial to remove general redness in my face. Would an IPL interrupt the healing process of my scars and thereby cause permanent scarring? Should I keep the scars moist (antibiotics gel) or dry? As you can imagine, I very worried. Thank you!!!

4 answers to Is It Safe to Have PhotoFacial on Healing Facial Scars?

+2

IPL for redness

Three weeks post procedure is a bit early to administer Photofacial (IPL) to your forehead area. For now, exercise patience and use a broad spectrum antioxidant sunscreen daily. Add a wide brim hat or baseball cap for added protection if you are going to be outside for more than a few minutes. This will help you avoid prolonged redness and minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation. It should be fine to begin you to begin your photofacial in about 8 weeks.
Anifat Balogun, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

IPL with healing scars

An IPL treatment after recent trauma such as electrocautery or liquid nitrogen can cause blistering or crusting.  Definitely wait 2 months to get an IPL.  Sun protection is important while your areas are healing, as well as before and after an IPL photofacial.  It can take 4-12 weeks for the area you had treated to heal well, so don't worry yet if the areas look red or indented.
Madeline Krauss, MD

Boston Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Ointment and sun avoidance is all you should do

Keep the pink areas moist with antibiotic ointment (e.g. polysporin) 3x/day and don't get any sun on the area. Keeping ointment on will promote faster healing.  Sun avoidance will prevent the red areas from healing brownish. I would avoid IPL until this is healed on it's own.  IPL won't help the redness, the redness will resolve with time.
Anne Marie McNeill, MD

Newport Beach Dermatologist
+1

Photofacial

Allow them to heal for 6-8 weeks, and then consider an IPL. Thank you for your question and good luck with everything.
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon

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