Can IPL get rid of mild acne scarring?

Question

Hi, i have a question regarding IPL treatments. I'm getting IPL sessions for my rosacea, and i was wondering if it will also take care of my minor acne scars? i only have 5 scars however its in the centre of my face and obvious.

Glenn Murray, MBBS · Answer

Hello,

Yes, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy can be effective for improving MILD acne scarring, particularly when the primary concern is skin discoloration or subtle textural irregularities.
IPL treatments utilize broad-spectrum light to target specific skin concerns. For acne scars, IPL works in two main ways:
- Reducing Pigmentation: IPL can help lighten hyperpigmented areas left by acne, such as red or brown spots, by targeting and breaking down excess melanin.
- Stimulating Collagen Production: The light energy penetrates the skin, promoting collagen remodeling, which can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of shallow scars.

Alternative treatments such as;
- Fractional CO₂ Lasers: These lasers create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. They're particularly effective for deep, atrophic scars like boxcar and icepick scars.
- Pico Lasers (e.g., PicoSure, PicoWay): Utilizing ultra-short pulses, these lasers break down scar tissue without damaging the skin's surface, making them suitable for various scar types with minimal downtime.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for the 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

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

IPL/BBL is not my 'go to' treatment for acne scarring.  Better to look at microneedling, profractional laser treatments, Halo and Infini and Bellafill for long term improvement of acne scarring.

Michael T. Somenek, MD · Answer

IPL, Intense Pulsed Light, is a high intensity broad band
light that goes into the deeper layer of the dermis. It treats melasma (brown
spots/sun damage), vascular birthmarks, spider veins, and other age
spots.  This would not be a treatment that I would suggest for Acne
Scarring.

Acne scarring can be treated a variety of way.  A CO2 laser uses light energy to create tiny holes in
the skin, which works to put the body’s natural collagen production on fast
forward.  This would help to decrease the appearance of acne scars. Alternatively, you could also put a very thin filler(Restylane Silk or Belotero) into the undersurface of the scar to plump it up and make it less noticeable.

Mark Taylor, MD · Answer

IPL helps get rid of red and brown spots on the skin and does not help other types of acne scars.  A combination of subcision  and fractional ablative laser performed on the same day is by far the best procedure in my hands to treat rolling acne scars.  Pitted, hypertrophic, hypopigmented or hyperpigmented, Box scars and acne keloids require specialized treatments.

Can IPL get rid of mild acne scarring?

Answers (5)

Answer: Options for acne scarring

Answer: Options for acne scarring

Answer: IPL does very little to help acne scars unless they are red or brown flat scars.

Answer: IPL does very little to help acne scars unless they are red or brown flat scars.

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Everything you need to know about IPL

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Can IPL get rid of mild acne scarring?

Answers (5)

Answer: Options for acne scarring

Answer: Options for acne scarring

Answer: IPL does very little to help acne scars unless they are red or brown flat scars.

Answer: IPL does very little to help acne scars unless they are red or brown flat scars.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.