IPL vs Genesis for diffuse redness?

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

The IPL treatment leading to striped burns story in the Community pictures section to the right of this column and the second IPL story,  "I went in for broken capillaries,  came out with melasma" just below this column, may give you pause before considering this modality. In my experience, IPL, in general, like other light and energy-based devices, is surrounded by a whole lot of device manufacturer supported marketing hype, but not that much hard science. So, when it comes to considering these relatively expensive methods, including fraxel lasers, a healthy dose of buyer beware skepticism is in order. Regarding your problem, I have found that the combination of microneedling, a relatively inexpensive, tried and true modality with over twenty years experience under its belt already, when combined with topical tranexamic acid and topical vasoconstrictors, to be quite helpful for suppressing excessive redness.  Moroever, if the redness if believed due to rosacea, microdroplets of Botox may prove additionally helpful or may even be tried prior to the above. You would do well to consult with a board certified aesthetic dermatologist who can help, especially in the event that rosacea is the primary underlying cause. Best of luck to you.

Redness can be improved with lasers (ProYellow, Excel V, VBeam) and microneedling/prp. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer