had IPL treatment for red marks but didn't notice any results

Question

I had IPL for my red marks 2 days ago. i literally don't see any improvement at all. she said i need 5 treatments. i got a feeling this stuff aint working or her ipl laser isn't good? are there any better / more effective treatments available for red marks? i also got some scars with the red marks. so maybe its better to do another treatment? i really need to get rid of the red acne marks / scars before MAY. pls advice what is the best thing to do? also what are ur thoughts on yag laser 4 acne?

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question hallojojo. I understand your concern.
IPL is a great treatment for facial rejuvenation. It is important to have appropriate expectations. IPL can help for redness. For my patients I recommend an initial series of 6 monthly treatments followed by one maintenance treatment every 3 months thereafter. Results are seen slowly over time. Patience is important. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Kent V. Hasen, MD · Answer

IPL is excellent for addressing red on the skin, including broken vessels.  It does require a series of treatments to see best results.  Often, at the first treatment, practitioners will treat at a less aggressive setting to determine your response to treatment.  Everyone responds differently to IPL, and it is imperative to choose the appropriate setting to minimize risks and maximize results.  Based on your response and downtime, it is likely your provider will increase the energy for your subsequent treatments.  I would follow up with your provider to further address your concerns, but also plan to have additional treatments for best results.

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question. When using IPL to treat red or brown areas a lot of practitioners will start with "safe start" settings. What this means is that the first treatment may be underpowered to make sure you don't get burns from the treatment. This is because there is a fine line with IPL between adequately treating the area and burning it. All I can tell you is that IPL does work when performed properly. I don't know what machine they used for your IPL, but that could be an issue as well. Not IPL's were created equal, with some being more effective than others. I hope this helps and best of luck!~Dr. Sieber

had IPL treatment for red marks but didn't notice any results

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had IPL treatment for red marks but didn't notice any results

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Everything you need to know about IPL

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.