No Results from IPL Treatment?

Question

I am a 46-year old female with with type high II/III skin and very minor signs of aging: a few brown spots, a couple of broken capillaries, a few minor wrinkles around the eyes. If my face was not red at all after a Photofacial (IPL treatment), does that mean that the procedure was not agressive at all? It's 3 days later and I took before pictures, and just took after pictures and there are NO differences.

	Should I ask for a more agressive approach when I go back? We made my next appointment for 4 weeks out, which makes me now think that the RNP thought my skin was more 'fragile' or sensitive? I know, IPL results are subtle. Maybe I haven't waited long enough to pass judgement?

	Also, there's a part of me that would rather this take longer--if SOMETHING is changing-- than risk burns or other irreversible damage to my skin. I knowthat it's a balance, but I was really hoping to SEE results ('coffee grounds', something, anything). Comments? Thanks!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Dan Mills, MD · Answer

For a skin type II/III  I would expect that you would have had visible effects  after the treatment. With brown spots and broken capillaries, the skin around these areas should reveal some "peppering" of the browns and  mild to moderate pinkness right after the treatment especially in the areas of the targets. If you did not experience any of these changes, it would appear that the treatment was less than effective.

	Because it was your first treatment the provider may have been a bit conservative and under-treated you out of safety concerns.

	You did not mention in what type of office you had your IPL.  In choosing a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist,  you will have more assurance of proper training, safety, and outcome expectations. IPL is a treatment that requires expertise, training, and experience.

	Hopefully your provider took before pictures so that you can follow up with her to assess your results and can adjust your future treatment settings. Depending on the circumstances of your particular case, he or she may even offer to retreat you, if you had no results at all.

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD (retired) · Answer

It sounds like the treatment was not aggressive enough. Perhaps, this was more of a test treatment to see what your skin can tolerate.   
   I would return, but ask that the dermatologist or plastic surgeon determine the setting parameters. In our office this is mandatory and I am surprised ( and dismayed) that this is not the accepted practice everywhere. ( I guess if this was mandatory everywhere, real self would be much less busy!)
    It sounds like you should get an excellent result. However, expect more improvement from the IPL regarding pigmentation that blood vessels. ( One tip: put a thinner amount of gel on the blood vessels and put a bit more pressure on the headpiece in that area).

No Results from IPL Treatment?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

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

No Results from IPL Treatment?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

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