Can IPL/BBL be combined with micro-needling? How long should the two procedures be spaced apart?

Question

Can ipl/BBL be combined with micro-needling ? If not how long should the two procedures be spaced apart? My goal/thought is use IPL/BBL for sun spots and pigmentation. Utilize micro-needling for rebuilding/remodeling of the deeper layers of collagen. While taking advantage that both procedures have little to no down time vs fractal laser.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

These treatments can be done on the same day. I recommend combining prp to microneedling for best outcomes. Keep in mind, a combination approach is needed for the most improvement for sun spots and pigmentation including: lasers (IPL, Fraxel), Cosmelan, microneedling/prp and peels. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for 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

Billy Ledbetter, MD · Answer

Absolutely.  The combination of BBL (or IPL) with microneedling (we recommend with PRP as well) is well accepted and seems to be becoming more the norm.  There are some formal investigations being conducted in this area, so the jury is still out, but early reports state there seems to be a synergistic affect when combining these type of treatments.  We use BBL in combination with Halo Pro as well (again with PRP recommended).  There does not appear to be an extended "down time" using the combination, at least in our experience, over microneedling or Halo Pro by themselves.  I would recommend you find an experienced physician who does these combinations regularly and have a thorough skin evaluation to determine which treatments might be best for you.  Good Luck.

Lisa Jenks, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is acceptable to combine IPL and microneedling on the same day, although you will obviously have a more prolonged recovery than if you do them separately.  I do recommend only doing microneedling that is accompanied with PRP (protein rich plasma), since that will yield the best results.  Depending upon how much hyperpigmentation (dark spots) you have, you might want to do the series of microneedling with PRP first.  Many patients see significant improvement in their hyperpigmentation with these treatments.  If you don't get the improvement you were hoping for, you could then do a series of IPL treatments.  This can be a way of potentially saving money, which is always a good thing.  I repeat the cautions noted below - only go to a facility where laser treatments and microneedling are done under direct physician supervision.Best of luck to you.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Yes you could do both on the same day, but that is a lot of trauma to your face.  If you want to alternate treatments, we would recommend scheduling them 4 weeks apart.  Please make sure you are getting treatments in a medical setting.  We are reading about more and more complications from microneedling not being performed under a physician's supervision.As an alternative, have you researched the PicoSure FOCUS treatments?  It treats both pigment and fine lines & wrinkles in the same visit.  The laser is non-ablative (doesn't open the skin barrier).  You can have several days of streaks from the microneedling.  There is at least 1 PicoSure in Austin.  Best of luck.

Can IPL/BBL be combined with micro-needling? How long should the two procedures be spaced apart?

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