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My Skin is Very Red and Patchy on my Face Would IPL or Laser Resurfacing Be Best Option?

asked 1 year ago by Peter Mccaw in uk
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 211 times
Tags: acne scars, options

My complexion is very uneven and it makes me look unhealthy. How effective is IPL and how long do the results last? I also have bad acne scars and lines around my eyes. I am aware laser resurfacing would help. Would the laser resurfacing also help to even out my complexion and would that mean there is no need for the IPL? If so what would be the best laser (as there seems so many)for scars, wrinkles and also to even the tone of the skin on my face?

4 answers to My Skin is Very Red and Patchy on my Face Would IPL or Laser Resurfacing Be Best Option?

+1

Fraxel Dual can help lines, acne scars and pigmentation

If you are interested in resurfacing the skin and helping even out the pigmentation, then Fraxel Dual, laser resurfacing with both the 1550 and 1927nm. wavelengths can help in a few treatments. Granted, wrinkles that are overlying muslces that move would be better suited to be treated by Botox, but acne scars and other wrinkles can be treated by the Fraxel Restore 1550nm. laser. This requires usually multiple treatments, every few weeks. There is redness, some swelling and bronzing,... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Fractional Laser Resurfacing and IPL for patchy red skin with acne scars, wrinkles.

For significant improvement of the wrinkles, acne scarring as well as the patchy, red skin you describe, your best option is a combination of fractional laser resurfacing and IPL. At our practice, we have found good results with treating first with ActiveFX or TotalFX fractional laser resurfacing to help  acne scarring, wrinkles, textural irregularities and brown spots, followed by one to three IPL treatments to resolve redness. 
Anifat Balogun, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser resurfacing for wrinkles -- IPL for skin color

The blotchy skin that you describe can be treated with IPL.  Most patients require around 4-6 treatments spaced about 1 month apart.  Following this series, most patients results will last around 12-18 months depending upon sun exposure, acne, rosacea, smoking and nutrition.  IPL does not help acne scars or wrinkles.  Laser resurfacing with either erbium or CO2 lasers is the best treatment for smoothing the skin.  Usually one heavy treatment or 2-3 lighter ones... more
Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Lasers for redness and uneven complexion

It's hard to answer specifically without a photo, but an IPL device or pulsed dye laser usually do help quite a bit to even out redness or blotchy dyspigmentation on the face.  Depending upon the severity, the results may last for quite awhile - a year or more in most cases.  Several treatments are also usually needed for best results with these laser and light devices.  In most cases I prefer a pulsed dye laser for facial redness and an IPL if there is also a lot of... more
Jason R. Lupton, MD

San Diego Dermatologist

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