Will IPL laser help even out my skin tone? (Photo)

I am not much of a fan of IPLs and fraxels, since, in my experience, they have shown themselves to be far more backed by device manufacturer marketing hype than hard science. The very fact that you specifically ask about IPL is proof of the pervasiveness of the advertising and marketing that surrounds much of the light and energy-based therapies out there. A series of superficial chemical peels, using such agents as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, Jessner's solution and TCA in low concentrations, is a less expensive, far simpler, tried and true approach for addressing the kind of blotchy pigmentary problem you demonstrate in your photo. Other simple and relatively inexpensive approaches for treating the individual brown spots include light electrodessication and microneedling. I would suggest performing a test of each of these methods on different spots to determine the best method for you. Once the most effective method is deterimined, the rest of the spots may be treated accordingly. Make sure that you consult with a board certified aesthetic physician and not simply some place hawking its particular "next big thing"-to come along energy-based device. Best of luck to you. 

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

IPL treatments (I recommend at least 3 to start separated by 4-6 weeeks) are extremely effective for evening out skin tone. IPL targets sundamage (brown spots), red spots, and overall hyperpigmentation. If you have spider veins on your legs the IPL won't do too much for those unless your provider uses the YAG hand piece, but honestly spider veins are best treated with sclerotherapy which is extremely helpful and effective. Hope that helps. Good luck!

IPL to the legs can be treated.  Everyone is a case to case basis on the results.  It is recommended to have more than one treatment.  In come cases it can be done as a "spot treatment".  Your results are better in the winter months when sun exposure is at a minimum.

Yes, IPL can give improvement, but this needs a combination approach with lasers (Fraxel, IPL), microneedling/prp and peels. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your
photograph Amy Williams 69. I understand your concern. An IPL photofacial is an
outstanding treatment for facial rejuvenation. It works by using bright light
to target and destroy pigment and redness in the skin. It is difficult to make an assessment without a
formal exam in the office where I can directly view the skin. However, I hope
the information provided here is useful.IPL will help to smooth our uneven color on the skin. It can be performed on the face and on the body. Typically a series of six monthly treatments are required followed by one maintenance treatment every three months thereafter. For my patients I recommend monthly treatments on the face and treatments every six weeks from the neck down. It is important to know that since the light used in IPL targets pigment, it will also target pigment in hair. Therefore there is the possibility of permanent hair reduction with this treatment. When treating the legs on women this is usually an added bonus.Please consult with a doctor for specific
recommendations. Good luck! 

Hello,IPL is a good laser to treat sun damage and skin tone. One most important disadvantage of IPL, having to go through 5-6 sessions. Instead you could inquire about other lasers which may give results much faster 1-2 sessions, such as Fraxel Dual.Best -- Dr Ray

Great question! You are an outstanding candidate to improve the skin on your legs and even out the color. It is way more difficult and risky to treat skin off the face (particularly on the shins where the skin is thin and it is right on the bone). It is very important that you find a very experienced practitioner working with only the very best equipment as high quality cooling and safety features are important. I would specifically look for a highly rated office with a BBL.

IPL can certainly help the pigmentation on the legs caused by sun damage.  We recommend IPL of the legs when the patient is not tan (no spray tans or self bronzers), so usually this means in the late fall and winter months.  The reason is that any distal appendage (legs/arms), take longer to heal, so you want to be able to optimize settings with the least amount of background color.
With that being said, the IPL I use on the legs/arms is a YS IPL (Palomar ICON).  It has a device called a Skintel, which allows us to check the melanin content of the skin and then adjust parameters accordingly.  The areas of pigmentation will absorb the wavelengths of light and will actually turn darker for about 10 days to 2 weeks (on legs and arms, 1 week on the face) and will come to the surface and slough off.  Typically 1-3 treatments are needed every 4-6 weeks.
Best of luck!