“Beware! ipl can cause serious burns!”
IPL: NOT worth it
Cost: $370
Pain: Severe
Pain: Severe
IPL satisfaction: Poor
Had first (and last) treatment 2 weeks ago. Face covered in welts and black zebra-like stripes immediately afer treatment, second degree burns on chin and jaw line. Now have pink and tan stripes on face. MD doesn't know what to do. (Actually won't acknowledge anything is wrong). Any ideas?
Wish I had asked how much training tech had on THIS type of equipment. Ask how many times they've donethe procedure. Ask to see certificate. Must not have recent tan or use self-tanners. Ask to see settings, take records with you when you leave appt. Don't be fooled by the ads...this IS risky...educate yourself. google IPL burns.
One week after IPL
burnt chin
Aug 1, 2008Comments and replies (31)
58 of 58 people found this review helpful
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
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1 post
5 Aug 2008
What Doctor did you go to? I live on Oahu and was interested in haveing this procedure done....or maybe not...yikes! Editor note You must be contacted privately to receive the information you requested. This requires free registration. You may contact another user privately by clicking on their username.
unregistered guest
25 Aug 2008
IPL is an excellent device that can accomplish dramatic results in treating vascular (red) problems and age spots. As with all MEDICAL treatments, you need to be careful about WHO you go to for your treatments. Experience matters most...don't get drawn into fancy ads or who has the lowest prices. You may end up with no result because they are being soooo cautious or worse, you may get burned.
2 posts
28 Aug 2008
I'm so sorry this happened to you. What has happened since? Are you filing a lawsuit?
2 posts
4 Sep 2008
It's too bad that things like this happen, but this patient does have a skin type that places her at a higher risk of complications of this type - especially when a less experienced (and less cautious) person is performing the treatment. A test spot might have been useful in order to predict how she would respond to large area treatment and may have saved her a lot of grief.
23 posts
15 Sep 2008
I have had several ipls for melasma and my face never looked like that - I don't have olive skin, but my whole face just turned red each time except for the first, where all the spots turned black. I have never had the track marks I see in that picture, it makes me wonder about the settings/hand piece/caregiver. I asked my ipl nurse at one point why so many get bad results from the ipl, and she said skill makes all the difference. Whatever your skin tone, tracks like that just don't look right. In any event, I am so sorry and hope your peels go well.
5 posts
23 Oct 2008
To the ladies who got burned, go see a good plastic surgeon and do not self treat. I have done so and just made my skin a lot worse and swollen. I have tried the old cosmelan mask and creams, which made the scar and pigmentation worse. Derms. as well as esthetician will say that it works for IPL post PIH but it does not. Save yourself the pain and go directly to a plastic surgeon instead of going to a dermatologist who usually has no experience in dealing with burns and scarring.Gop Goodluck to you.
1 post
1 Nov 2008
I had IPL treatment done for red spots/ capillaries on my face two days ago. I had one splotch of red on one of my cheeks and around my nose. Now the splotch on my cheek looks even worse, it's turned a darkish red-brown color and I'm afraid it's a sign of burning. The area around my nose is an even brighter red than before and looks bumpy. I am Asian (chinese). I would not recommend IPL for anyone with olive skin tones or of asian descent. I keep reading over and over again on the Internet how IPL is not suitable for asians or people with olive skin tones. I wish now I had done my research before wasting my money, but you would think the people performing this procedure would be knowledgeable! I am only lucky that a large portion of my face wasn't treated but am unhappy with how things have turned out.
1 post
3 Nov 2008
I live on Oahu too, and was considering IPL to fix the sun damage I have from years of living in Hawaii. Where did you go to have this done, so I know where NOT to go on Oahu? I really hope things get better for you, best of luck!
unregistered guest
28 Dec 2008
Don't do IPL! I did it three years ago and got burned welts like the pictures above, but worse because it took almost a year for the scars to completely fade! I was so traumatized by the whole experience, I threatened litigation and eventually settled. Never again!
2 posts
5 Mar 2009
I had IPL on monday - now have dark PURPLE stripes across my cheeks- it is just HORRIBLE!!! I don't know how to post a picture here but I did take some- but BEWARE- I had this done at the top medical spa in Atlanta. Just awful