If I had hives from IPL does this mean I can never get IPL or any heat based treatment in the future?

Question

If I had facial hives from IPL does that mean I can never get IPL or any heat treatment in the future? Is there any other laser/procedure you would recommend for rosacea/anti-aging?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Susan.  The decision to treat or not should be reviewed with your current physician based on your initial response to the last treatment.  We often use Benadryl immediately after treatment for those that have this reaction and have never had to remove a patient from treatment because of the development of hives.Regarding your question of Rosacea/anti-aging, these are two very different issues.  For Rosacea, we use Pulsed dye lasers like the Cynosure V-star and the Candela V-beam.  These lasers are the gold standard for treating Rosacea.For anti-aging, it depends on what you mean by that.  We use q-switched lasers for brown spots and uneven (brown) color and sun damage and we use laser resurfacing (Sciton Profractional) and injection procedures for fine lines, wrinkles and lost volume.  The term "anti-aging" is very broad to be summed up with one go to treatment.  Good luck.

Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD · Answer

Dear writer, Hives may develop briefly after light source treatment such as IPL. However, this is an immediate reaction to the direct effects of the light on tissue and blood vessels, and typically disappears soon after. This does not constitute an allergic reaction. Please discuss all details with your doctor, and jointly make a decision on future IPL treatments.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

In patients with severe rosacea they can have an inflammatory reaction like hives after an IPL because of the heat. However, these patients actually usually get some of the best results in the long-term. I would not recommend you quit doing IPL necessarily, but would recommend you discuss the situation with your doctor. If you can endure the treatment, then take a Benadryl right after, this is what I'd recommend. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot 
be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

If I had hives from IPL does this mean I can never get IPL or any heat based treatment in the future?

Answers (3)

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