“Ipl ruined my face”
IPL: NOT worth it
Pain: Uncomfortable
I had an IPL treatment 2 years ago and still seeing the damage coming out on my face!
I had started out with some minor fine lines, some sun spots and large pores. Was told that IPL would "clean everything" up and my skin texture would improve.
After the procedure, my face swelled and my eyes swelled so much I could barely see. That went down after several days and for about 3 weeks, my face looked really good. Then the horror began. I noticed major hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and a big dent on my right cheekbone. Also my lower left cheek had started to droop.
I was given prednisone for this "swelling" which did nothing. After that I began to develop crescent-shaped welts over my cheeks. These have gradually contracted down so I now have crescent-shaped depression scars on my cheeks and chin. I thought all the damage would have surfaced by now, but continue to notice increasing scarring.
I am now on Tazorac to try to increase collagen production. We'll see ( I have a new doctor). I will probably end up having some sort of dermal filler to try to even out the scarring and holes that have come out on my face. I am devastated and rarely go out of the house except to go to work.
Feb 4, 2009Comments and replies (19)
16 posts
27 Mar 2009
I'm very sorry this happened to you. You are not the only person who's had this type of reaction to IPL. Do a google search of IPL and laser damage. I'm sorry for your problems.
33 posts
29 Mar 2009
I have to wonder about any other procedures that you have done. Botox perhaps??? - drooping, sagging - these are not caused by IPL, but can be caused by other, more intense procedures.
16 posts
30 Mar 2009
Blumenauer, perhaps you are just not familiar with IPL having these effects, BUT IT DOES. Google this: IPL and Laser Damage. It will be an interesting "read" for you and eye opening.
33 posts
31 Mar 2009
has the swelling not gone down then? how long has it been at this point?
unregistered guest
1 Apr 2009
yes I am another person who has been damaged by ipl, and it is so infuriating when people dismiss it as not possible. IT IS POSSIBLE!!! two years later and the damage is still comming.
unregistered guest
1 Apr 2009
I have had wonderful results with IPL. Just fished my 2nd treatment. My first had amazing results on the brown spots (sun damage) on my face. I'm hoping this treatment takes off the rest. I think it's very important to make sure you have a Dr. that knows what he is doing. Look for someone very experienced with this procedure.
33 posts
1 Apr 2009
READ ON!!!!! Results of a recent study: "However, the level of lipid peroxides in IPL-exposed skin was six times as high as in nonirradiated skin and twice as high as in skin exposed to UVA light. Comment: The implication of this study is that IPL treatment may not be without consequences. Although IPL irradiation did not affect thymine dimer production because the light source does not emit in the UV range, it did produce considerable amounts of lipid peroxides, an indicator of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been associated with a number of deleterious effects; beyond premature aging of the skin, it has been shown to promote skin cancer in experimental animal models. Although these molecular studies do not necessarily mean that long-term adverse effects will ensue, the results point to our ignorance of IPL’s lasting effects. Many highly effective therapies have had adverse effects that were not fully identified until years after regulatory approval. Until IPL has been in active use for a while longer, continuing follow-up of patients remains important." I'm scared! I had one 5 days ago . . . comments? anybody?
16 posts
3 Apr 2009
My research and association with many who've been damaged by IPL, non-ablative and ablative lasers leads me to think none of them are safe, even if sometimes there are initial good results. FDA has allowed hundreds of cosmetic devices on the market that are not proven safe, due to their corruption. Be careful what you let anyone do to your skin when it comes to cosmetic devices.
33 posts
5 Apr 2009
it has been nine days and i now have old scars that are deepening on my cheeks??? fat loss? already?
16 posts
6 Apr 2009
Does it look like "stretched" pores? I am not allowed to post a link to the support board for those injured/damaged by IPL and lasers, so do a google search as I suggested earlier to read about others experiences and see if yours is similar. I certainly hope not. Good luck.