Recently I had IPL and it was so painful I couldn’t complete the session. Is this typical?

Question

My nurse was upset with me. It burnt like hell! She said IPL not painful. She asked me if I was on a different medication or something. I felt something was wrong with me to feel so much pain from IPL

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. IPL is not a pleasant procedure if you are not numb. everyones sensitivity to pain is different. follow up with your provider.

Theresa M. Jarmuz, MD · Answer

IPL can cause some discomfort but should not cause extreme pain. That being said, there are a few things that are important to know.  Some medications can cause photosensitivity which is why the nurse would ask what medications you were taking. This would be information that should be asked a few weeks before treatment. Many IPL devices couple radio frequency with the treatment. Radio frequency can cause more discomfort but the provider can typically adjust the level of radio frequency being delivered for more sensitive areas, such as nose and forehead, in order to make the treatment manageable for the patient. Many patients will power through the pain because radio frequency tightens the skin and stimulates collagen. Topical numbing can also improve a patient's experience with IPL treatments. Our practice allows patients to topically numb with a compounded cream for 15-20 minutes which also makes IPL treatments tolerable.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest going to a reputable doctor or last physicians practice, this shouldnt be that painful and you can get better outcomes combining IPL with lasers.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Ahmed Maki, DO, FACS · Answer

While everyone's pain tolerance differs; IPL treatments should not cause that much discomfort and are typically very tolerable procedures. Did your provider apply a topical numbing cream prior to your treatment such as lidocaine? Were you using any retinol products before your appointment? I would expect a slight level of discomfort but nothing that is close to unbearable.

Narin (Joe) Apisarnthanarax, MD · Answer

Everyone's pain tolerance can be different. Here at our office it is priority to making sure our patients are comfortable during any type of treatments including IPL.  Asking which medications you are currently on is very import due to some drugs causing photo-sensitivity which can look and feel like an extreme sunburn. Photosensitive drugs contain chemical compounds with photoreactive agents that cause them to react to UV light. If not on any medictaions and it is just pain tolerance, topical numbing cream can help relieve some of the discomfort.

Gregory H. Scimeca, MD · Answer

Typically, the energy of the IPL can be adjusted lower until the patient is comfortable. Many IPL hand pieces also cool the surface of the skin during treatment. The skin can be numbed with topical medication ahead of time. For IPL hair removal, it's important to minimize the hair on the surface of the skin. Good luck.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Several factors can change how a treatment feels from one time to the next.  You did the right thing stopping treatment.  This time of year, we really worry about sun exposure.  You really need to avoid any sun exposure for 10 days prior to IPL treatment.  IPL burns happen more frequently in the summer.Were you getting IPL LHR or photofacial?  If it was LHR, we would recommend switching to safer laser treatments.  For photofacials, we don't numb prior to treating diffuse redness or broken vessels because it reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.  If we are just targeting brown pigment, we can numb, but it usually isn't necessary.  If it was painful, the settings were too high.  Our ICON IPL has an integrated melanin reader that recommends safe settings based on your actual melanin present so it adjust for sun exposure or recommends not to treat.When in doubt, stop the treatment.  You did the right thing.  I hope this helps.

Anteneh Roba, MD · Answer

IPL can certainly be painful but if  area to be treated is numbed properly with topical anesthetics it should not hurt.

Recently I had IPL and it was so painful I couldn’t complete the session. Is this typical?

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