IPL Reviews
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“IPL: Bad Idea. Really Bad - Pointe-Claire, QC”

Not Worth It
Spent: $600 in Pointe-Claire, QC

Comments (96)

Updated 9 Feb 2012

Posted 19 Oct 2010

Who invented this "advanced technology"? If you want to look years older, have acne-prone skin and discover new wrinkles on your face everyday, then go right ahead and have this treatment. But seriously...save your skin and opt out. Everyone is clammoring for this thing and it's a sham. It basically sucks the color, the life, and the vitality right out of your face. PS: there is ZERO proof in any medical journal that this treatment actually stimulates collagen production. Also, long term effects haven't been studied. All those who've been sucked in might end up with major problems down the road. This experience has pretty much ruined my beauty and my social life.

Updated on 7 Jan 2011:
Just updating my review. It's been about 5 months since my last IPL and I urge people to think very carefully about this before they do it. The aftermath has been a nightmare and I am still dealing with many terrible side effects. Here is a short list of side effects: Fat loss, changed skin texture, micro-scarring, nerve damage to face, facial numbness. This procedure, in my opinion, penetrated too deep and has caused thermal damage to the underlying and outer dermis. Lunchtime procedure my ass!

Updated on 21 Mar 2011:
List Pros & Cons, Advice you can offer others

Updated on 21 Mar 2011:
I was told my skin would be rejuvenated and that there was no risk, no downtime. This proved to be false. The technician who did my procedure was not willing to admit something had gone wrong, when it is quite obvious that something has. When I showed her the micro-scarring that has occurred she claimed this was "dehydration". There is no way that the scars on my face due to IPL are due to dehydration considering I drink plenty of water and follow a very healthy, vitamin-packed diet.



Updated on 18 Aug 2011:
Face still burns, I'm almost one year out from this thing. The burning is very difficult to take. Skin looks like an elephant, as you see in the pics. Face is much less plump, skin is less elastic. Total disaster. I am horrified by what has happened to my face! Please think twice before having this done.

Updated on 31 Jan 2012:
Wow is all I can say. I am going to post a few more pictures soon. The skin does not recover from this. It continues to deteriorate. The fat loss is progressive and ongoing. It is soooo soooo sad.

Updated on 9 Feb 2012:
Just to be a bit more specific, I had 2 BBL Sciton treatments to the face. The first was in Sept. 2009 and the second in Aug. 2010. The settings used the first time: Filter:560; Frequency: 13J, 12ms; Degrees: 16. The second time: Filter:575; Frequency: 11J, 14ms; Degrees: 16.
In the year that followed my first treatment, I noticed less elasticity, more wrinkles, and some minor fat loss. I attributed all this to basic aging. After my 2nd treatment a year later, the fat loss, loss of elasticity and change in skin texture were so rapid and aggressive that it allowed me to put everything together. The IPL treatment is responsible for the unfavorable changes in my skin. I am extremely regretful I ever decided to have this procedure done and urge anyone out there to think very carefully before going ahead with an IPL.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Helpful review?

My Doctor:

My rating:

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this Dr.'s practice because I was not taken seriously when I returned with complications due to IPL. My skin has been severely damaged but I was told this was due to dehydration. This is just plain insulting. My skin is not dehydrated, it's damaged.

Comments (96)

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BrittB 20 Oct 2010

Hi Kikilisa,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. You said it "sucked the color out of your face," do you mean it caused Hyperpigmentation?  

-Britt

KikiLisa (RealFriend) 20 Oct 2010
Britt, to answer your question, I don't think it's hyperpigmentation, but the texture has changed. Rosy cheeks are gone and replaced with rough skin, and I forgot to mention that my face feels like it's on fire 24/7.
BrittB 20 Oct 2010

Oh my! What did your doctor say? Have you seen anyone else about the burning? I looked up some info for you in our expert Q&A about side effects. Keep me posted.

-Britt

KikiLisa (RealFriend) 20 Oct 2010
My dermatologist treats acne for the most part and treated me as though I had an irritation of the skin. She did not understand the severity of what I'm experiencing. Trying to find a derm who has more knowledge of the subject.
BrittB 21 Oct 2010

Hi KikiLisa,

What part of Canada are you in? I was going to look for a doctor recommendation.

-Britt

KikiLisa (RealFriend) 21 Oct 2010
Britt, that is extremely kind of you. I'm 30 minutes west of Montreal, in a region known as the West Island.
BrittB 22 Oct 2010

Good Morning KikiLisa,

Here is a link to two doctors from our site in Montreal maybe they could help. Please keep me updated, and have a great weekend.

-Britt

KikiLisa (RealFriend) 24 Oct 2010
Yes, I had the procedure done at Dr. Benchetrict's office, by one of the staff. I called them but they don't seem to think my problems are a result of IPL.
BrittB 24 Oct 2010

Are you going to check with the other one? Did you have any problems before the IPS?

KikiLisa (RealFriend) 30 Oct 2010
Britt, I'm still seeking help at this time. I am on a crusade to get proper treatment. I have uncovered mounds of information that these procedures do more harm than good. Lives have been ruined. You asked if I had any problems before IPL treatment. The only problems I've had with my skin before IPL were regular issues such as sensitivity to certain types of creams and makeup and the occasional pimple. I used to have really nice skin. My skin continues to degenerate by the way. Scratch marks all over the place, like a kitten was dancing around on my face. I look as though I've aged 10 years, maybe more. This is the worst nightmare of my life, and I've been through a lot, but this one takes the cake.
BrittB 1 Nov 2010

Hi KikiLisa,

I just re-opened our forums for IPL and there is a forum about help with complications  from IPL you should go and talk to the other community members, it would provide you with support and see what others are doing. Hope that helps, please keep me updated.

-Britt

Jurisprudence 3 Aug 2011
Yes, the scratch marks that seem to come out of nowhere! And the leathery skin when smiling! I haven't had IPL, but these happened to me a few years after one Fraxel treatment. My 'after' smiling face looks like yours. What really gets me is that these types of procedures are referred to as 'photo-rejuvenation' and laser 'rejuvenation' procedures, when they do the OPPOSITE of rejuvenate! I sure got older in only the 3 years since my procedure! I was kinda considering IPL for my very perpetually uneven blotchy complexion, but these negative reviews will save me from making the same mistake I made when I got Fraxel.
Greeneyes5 8 Aug 2011
Mine was the same way. A doctor told me it was nerve damage and suggested hyperbaric oxygen treatments. I could only afford 4 wks worth, but for 3 months I no longer had that problem. It is coming back again, as the specialist said I would need 6-12 weeks of treatments. Maybe check into it for yourself.
cveroleyva 9 Aug 2011
hey greeneyes,
when you mean treatment for hyperbaric you go in daily for the 4 weeks straight. what does it exactly do? i read about it for burn vicitms, but i didn't actually get how it really worked, i never spoke to anyone about it.
Greeneyes5 9 Aug 2011
I would go 5 days one week, 6 days the next for 4 weeks. 90 minutes each treatment. The doc puts you in a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber and you sit or lay down and read or whatever until the time is up. So much to explain what it is helpful for so here is one of many links with some info: http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0172.html
Hope this helps somewhat.
Greeneyes5 9 Aug 2011
Here's another link: http://www.drwhitaker.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy
shilly 24 Mar 2011
I had the same horrible experience. I've been 3 times and my face is ruined. I have dark spots that will not go way after months and my face is still super sensitive to the sun. I had it done to diminish freckles and fear I can never be in the sun again. A few pimples that were almost healed have now been permanently scared into my face. And I've had new deep wrinkles develope around my mouth develop and I'm only 30! OH, and peach fuzz growing everywhere...even on my lips!
BrittB 26 Mar 2011

Hi shilly,

Thanks for commenting. I'm so sorry that has happened to you. If you write a review, it will be so useful to the community. Please keep us updated.

Thanks,

-Britt

KikiLisa (RealFriend) 27 Mar 2011
Shilly, I really do know exactly what you're going through. My face has been burning for 6 months, I have fat loss and textural problems. I have more wrinkles too -- it's all so upsetting. Don't go out in the sun, this will not do your skin any good for the time being. I have heard many rave reviews about the Obagi skin care line and a few with laser/light damage have reported good results using it. You can look into that but for now pamper your skin and yourself. Facial massage can help -- massage oils into the skin for healing; saunas; steam baths; lots of sleep. Keep working on healing the skin. I am taking supplements like Dermalipid and Perfect Skin -- they seem to help. If you need more support come to the support forum just google IPL and laser damage support.
Lolita 25 Apr 2011
Saunas and steam baths are the WORST advice when it comes to reversing pigment damage. Sun, heat, hormones and scarring are the leading causes of hyper pigmentation. Avoid the sun and heat like the plague and always use a broad spectrum spf of 30 to protect against both uva and uvb rays. Image Skincare has the best one I have found. It is the Daily Defense Ultimate Preventive SPF35.
JordanDallas 20 Jun 2011
I am seriously considering IPL, but after reading all of this.... I am thinking twice. I know of course no med spa will acknowledge any risk to it, they totally sugar coat the process. I had a series of micro peels done (microdermabrasion followed by a chemical peel) and now I have major hyperpigmentation in the areas she treated, almost mimicking melasma. I WISH I knew how to reverse this!!!
Lolita 22 Jun 2011
Too many doctors and estheticians go for the quick fix when it comes to treatments. They ignore the fact that you really need to prep the skin with lightening agents before starting peels and they take too aggressive an approach when it comes to chemical peels and lasers. Treatments should be done in a progressive, not aggressive, series to enable the skin's cells to adjust and react properly to the changes. Aggressive treatments overstimulate and shock the cells causing the melanocytes to inflame and overreact. After treatments, you need to keep the skin hydrated and not use acids and retinols until the skin has healed. You can't win a fitness competition if you don't diet and work out first.
Cristin 28 Oct 2011
Wow. i am in the same boat. i had just purchased a treatment on a groupon type website. These comments were a huge reality check for me. No my skin is not perfect but i do not want to risk my face in an effort to make it so. Thank you very much to everyone who shared their photos and stories. I think Time heals all wounds... and i hope that is true for your IPL nightmares.
shilly 22 Jun 2011
I'm doing more and more research every day trying to get my face back to what it once was, but things are only getting worse. The 2 sides of my face reacted completely differnt to make things even more aweful. One is blotchy with hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores, and the other has just gotten more freckles. I'm thinking about getting fat injections around my lips from where the laser zapped my fat cells and made me look like an 70year old smoker. If anyone has anything that works, let me know! I'm going see a specialist in beverly hills soon too.
shilly 22 Jun 2011
Has anyone considered a group lawsuit?

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