After IPL - When Will Broken Capillaries Disappear?

Question

I had my first IPL 2 weeks ago to treat broken capillaries on my cheeks. I still haven't seen them go away. How long until I see a difference?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

IPL is an excellent treatment choice for diffuse redness.  It does well for very small broken capillaries, but larger broken capillaries and facial veins are resistant to IPL and need a different laser like pulse dye laser or Nd YAG.

	Normally, immediately after the treatment the area may get more red.  That redness does subside after a day or so.  The optimal results after one treatment with IPL are seen several weeks later.  Usually it does take several treatments (2-4) to see a large difference.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Following IPL, you will notice improvement in all superficial pigments (browns more than reds). Unfortunately, any deeper capillaries will not fade as much as the more superficial pigments. This is becaue the IPL beam can only penetrate a limited depth.

After IPL - When Will Broken Capillaries Disappear?

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After IPL - When Will Broken Capillaries Disappear?

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