Will IPL Work for Port Wine Stain?

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

Thanks for the question.

You may see a modest improvement in your port wine stain with IPL Treatments. Alternative treatments with proven efficacy include pulsed dye lasers and combination treatment of pulsed dye laser with Nd:Yag lasers. My recommendation is to visit a board certified dermatologist in your area who has a practice emphasis in treatment of these types of lesions.

Warmest Regards,

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

Worth a try but the better lasers for the "port wine" stains are available. Seek consult with laser dermatologist in your area. Best of luck. Remember it may take many treatments. 

To answer your question, yes, using a vascular filter (to target blood vessels), IPL may work, however there are many better more SPECIFIC treatments that target blood vessels better than Intense Pulse Light. IPL is not a laser, but a spectrum of intense light. Lasers such as the V Beam Pulse Dye laser is a much better solution? Higher energy levels specific to haemogloblin can be employed, hence in most cases the results will be better. You still will need many treatments over months. RegardsDr Davin LimLaser and Cosmetic DermatologistBrisbane, AUSTRALIA

In theory IPL should work to improve port wine stains. With regard to efficacy, you will see much better results with the use of a pulsed dye laser.

Not sure about the utility of the device you listed in your question for the effective treatment of port wine stains.