Would IPL treatment work for PIE/PIH caused by cystic acne and fungal acne? (photos)

Question

I’ve been dealing with cycstic acne and fungal acne for the last two years. Acne is finally under control but I have lots of pink/purple/brown spots left on my face. Mainly jaw and forehead. Would IPL be a good treatment option? I’m hesitant to use creams because they all seem to trigger fungal acne.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne 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 acne 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 acne scars and indented acne 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 acne 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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Thank you for the photos, hyperpigmentation from any type needs a combination approach of peels like cosmelan, lasers like clear and brilliant and aerolase or laser genesis, radiofrequency like venus viva, and constant skin care and sun protection. Bimontly facials with silk peel dermalinfusion is essential to hydrate, exfoliate and infuse vitamins and antioxidants into the skin. If you have acne returns you can do additional treatments and peels to get more improvement. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmestic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

In  my opinion, the IPL would help with your post inflammatory erythema, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and active acne. You may want to add a topical acne preparation as well as a bleaching cream.Good Luck!Jeff Rapaport MDRealself All-star

Katherine Dee, MD · Answer

First, you need to get the cystic acne under control, use the right medical grade products, and get off all the things triggering it. A strict trial off of all cow milk products (including whey and casein) sometimes reveals an underlying allergy that miraculously eliminates the acne. Second: yes-- IPL and fractional non-ablative lasers can help remove the pigment. IPL will also help with the redness. But neither will cure the acne itself. RF microneedling (like Infini-- now Genius RF) is best for acne scarring.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

It's important to treat the active acne first so new scars do not develop. IPL should help with the pigmentation and any redness from acne. Fractionated lasers would help as well.

Would IPL treatment work for PIE/PIH caused by cystic acne and fungal acne? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Treating cystic acne and hyperpigmentation and redness from it

Answer: Treating cystic acne and hyperpigmentation and redness from it

Answer: Treating pigmentation from acne

Answer: Treating pigmentation from acne

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Would IPL treatment work for PIE/PIH caused by cystic acne and fungal acne? (photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Treating cystic acne and hyperpigmentation and redness from it

Answer: Treating cystic acne and hyperpigmentation and redness from it

Answer: Treating pigmentation from acne

Answer: Treating pigmentation from acne

Browse related questions

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.