28 Years Old. Alma Harmony IPL for Rosacea Caused Fat Loss, Lines and Indentations - Preston, GB

In March 2014, after years of struggling with redness and flushing from rosacea, I finally took the plunge and had an IPL session at Sandon House Clinic in Preston (UK), which was recommended to me because it is staffed by qualified nurses. I was very nervous about treatment having read many conflicting reviews on this website, but I was so fed up of my rosacea I'd reached a point where I felt it was worth the risk. How wrong I was, and how I wish I could turn back time. About 2 weeks after the procedure (which itself was quite painful, but no immediate side effects other than redness), I noticed my face becoming thinner, and strange indentations appeared on my nose-to-mouth lines. My forehead was suddenly covered in fine lines. Over the next few weeks, my face gradually lost volume and my skin had a dehydrated, aged look. I went back to the clinic to present my symptoms, and the nurse who treated me said these symptoms were not a possible outcome of IPL, that the light doesn't penetrate the fat layer; basically all the rubbish that many other patients in a similar situation on this site have been told by their so-called carers. I suggested to the nurse that she have a look at some of the anecdotal evidence on this site, and she replied 'I don't need to look online, I've been doing this for 20 years'. So that was my Sandon House Clinic experience. Furthermore, Alma Lasers claim that their harmony machine is the '2nd generation' of IPL, and their blog actually provides a link to this site to place themselves above the old machines which they suggest are the problem. Not so. At the time I was reassured by this, but now I see it as very clever marketing.

For anyone contemplating IPL for rosacea, please re-think. I thought it wouldn't happen to me. I thought all the negative stories on here were coincidental, or the result of seeing non-medical professionals. I was very wrong. Logically, if you inhibit blood flow to the skin, soft tissue and underlying fat (and that is the role of IPL when used for rosacea - to coagulate and destroy the blood vessels that cause the redness and flushing), then there must inevitably be some tissue necrosis. 10 months on, I am now seeing a consultant regarding fat transfer therapy, which will cost approximately £2500, and mourning the loss of my old face. I no longer recognise myself in the mirror, and my self-esteem has suffered very badly. What's more frightening is the lack of interest from doctors. Ask yourself: what do I have to gain or lose from writing this review? Nothing. And what does a doctor/nurse have to lose by denying these side effects are possible? Their reputations, their professional integrity... and a lot of cash.