How can I improve scar on my face from IPL from hell? (Photo)

Question

Hi. I had an IPL done on my face and had blistering occur. It was two months ago now and this is the scar I'm left with! Aside from the obvious discoloration, it is also indented. I feel very upset because it's very noticeable:(. What laser treatment might help with this PLEASE? I'm so worried that nothing can be one...

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hi there, thank you for sharing your experience and I’m truly sorry to hear that you’re going through this. Scarring after IPL, while uncommon, can happen, especially if blistering occurred during the healing process. I completely understand how upsetting this can be.

From what you’ve described, the scar appears to be both indented (atrophic) and discolored, which means we may want to target both texture and pigmentation.

Here are some treatments that may help improve both aspects:

Fraxel (fractional non-ablative laser) or Fractional CO2 laser: These help resurface the skin and stimulate collagen production to improve indentations and texture over time.

Microneedling with or without radiofrequency (e.g., Morpheus8, SkinPen): Great for improving scar depth and stimulating your skin's natural healing mechanisms.

Vascular or pigment-specific lasers (like Vbeam or Excel V): These can address persistent redness or brown discoloration left behind after the injury.

Topical treatments: In the meantime, gentle skincare with ingredients like silicone gels, niacinamide, and prescription-strength tretinoin can help fade pigmentation and improve the appearance gradually.

Please don’t lose hope—many patients see real improvement with a combination approach. The key is to treat conservatively and allow time between sessions, as scar remodeling is a gradual process. I’d also recommend consulting with a board-certified dermatologist or laser specialist to assess your skin in person and customize a plan.

You’re not alone in this, and we have tools to help. Sending you encouragement on your healing journey.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! Scar creams can be used on scars to minimize appearance as well as silicone scar sheets. Lasers such as Microneedling can also be performed to minimize appearance as well. We would love to see you in person or virtually to discuss treatment options or schedule a consult with a licensed aesthetician.

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

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

What amazes me is that after having this unforunately happen to you after a light-based treatment that you would think to have other light or energy-based treatment. You would be wise to consult with a very experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist with extensive experience in performing subcisions. The use of subcision can help to .elevate and smooth the indentation. Once this is done, then professionally performed manual microneedling (no need for the added expense and risks of RF microneedling) can be used to better blend any superficial, surface irregularities in color and/or texture of the scar with the surrounding normal skin. Subcisions, which I have been routinely performing since 1995 and microneedling, which I have routinely been using for the past nearly quarter of a century have proven safe and effective in all skin types.  And, finally, if you are offered some expensive bells and whistles fraxel laser or RF treatments, keep in mind that these treatments are supported far more by heavy marketing hype and social media buzz rather than hard science. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

There are several options. Your scar may be, however, one that is best treated by surgical revision.  Wait a bit longer then consider having the scar excised and revised.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. I'm sorry to hear about your experience with IPL and the resulting scar. Indented scars can be particularly challenging, but there are treatment options that can help improve their appearance. One effective method is CO2 laser resurfacing. CO2 laser resurfacing uses a fractional laser that targets the outer layer of the skin while promoting collagen production in the deeper layers. This process helps to smooth out the texture of the skin, making indented scars less noticeable over time. The laser works by creating controlled micro-injuries, which stimulate the body’s natural healing process and encourage the production of new, healthy skin cells. After a CO2 treatment, you can expect some downtime as your skin heals, but the results can be quite significant. Many patients notice improvements in the appearance of their scars within a few weeks, with continued enhancement as collagen remodels over several months. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hello WIA.  For your situation, we would recommend three options.  The first step is to do a quick fractional laser resurfacing over the area.  This would be an ablative procedure with 7-10 days of healing.  Once the area is healed, we would use a bit of Sculptra underneath the scar to stimulate more collagen production and then have you wear a silicon sheet over the area at least 12 hours per day (24 is better) for the next 30-60 days after the laser treatment.   Color can be addressed in several months after the textural issues have been improved with laser resurfacing and Scuilptra.  Best of luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your nicely post of photos, the initial option might be excision with local flap advancement closure. A potential other option would be nano crafting with PRP to elevate the depressed portion and then after healing at a level layering, try some type of decolorizing laser. Best of virtual consult with

How can I improve scar on my face from IPL from hell? (Photo)

Answers (8)

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