Why Is There No Difference After 2nd IPL Session?

Our office has many different treatments for skin and scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I suggest telling your provider to adjust the laser to a higher setting .

Best of luck

It may be that you had more sun damage when you had your first IPL, it eliminated so much of the sun damage that you didn't notice much change for your second session or the laser needs to be adjusted to a higher setting. You should advise your medical provider to be able to get the best result. 

I would recommend that you see the same provider for your treatments.  It may be that the laser settings need to be adjusted.  

With IPL, the darker spots usually get darker and then come off. For lighter sun damage, the immediate result is often not quite as visible, but the long-term result can still be quite good. Sometimes the energy needs to be increased to get optimal results. There is a pigment regulator on some machines that allows the technician to evaluate the amount of pigmentation on the patient’s skin. Therefore, the energy can be raised safely to the maximum level.

I recommend seeing the same provider for all of your treatments so that adequate records may be kept and treatment protocols adjusted appropriately.  After your first treatment, your skin is not the same as it was prior to your first treatment and the IPL device settings will need to be adjusted accordingly.  This will often not happen unless you are being treated by a qualified and well trained physician who understands the dynamics involved for optimal treatment.  

Jacque P. LeBeau, MD

 

There likely IS improvement after your 2nd IPL treatment, although most people find there is diminishing effects and less pain with subsquent treatments as there are fewer lesions (e.g. brown spots - lentigo) left to remove. That said, sometimes the equipment or settings aren't ideal, so make sure you're getting top notch quality and safe care at a medical clinic such as a dermatology office where medical grade (not salon grade) lasers are used. ~ Dr. Benjamin Barankin, Toronto Dermatology Centre.