Will Vitamin C and collagen supplements help with IPL?

Question

I am 45, very pale and little to no sun spots. I have had 2 rounds of IPL for broken capillaries. Right after my last session I started taking 1000mg of vitamin c supplement and 2500mg of collagen, will this help the IPL "work better" or is the vitamin c supplement not a good idea? Also, it is ok to take a Vitamin C supplement before IPL since it is internal and not topically applied?

Laurie A. Casas, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is very important to take vitamin supplements to improve skin health.  We recommend a Multivitamin, Vitamin C and Vitamin D.  We recommend 1000mg of Vitamin C daily, best split up into 4 doses of 250mg so the Vitamin C can be better absorbed.  If you take 1000mg all at once, your body will excrete what it is not using, wasting the Vitamin C.  When you take all of these supplements, your skin health will improve and your body will be able to produce more collagen when you stimulate your skin with laser treatments.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with a cosmetic dermatologist for after care recommendations. I have a strict after care protocol. I recommend skin care with vitamin c, b5 hydrator, silicone based scar gels with growth factors and enzymatic washes with papaya enzyme to give improvement. Sun protection is essential. IPL work best in combination with other treatments like microneedling/prp and other lasers in order to improve the skin's texture and collagen. Best, Dr. Emer

Aurora DeJuliis, MD · Answer

Vitamin C taken internally is very important in helping collagen production since our body does not make Vitamin C. Regardless of your IPL sessions, you should be taking this supplement for life. I recommend a liposoluble form of Vitamin C called Ascorbyl Palmitate 500mg twice a day. As far as collagen supplements my suggestion is to increase your animal protein intake which provides you with natural zinc and other minerals important for a beautiful skin.

Will Vitamin C and collagen supplements help with IPL?

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Will Vitamin C and collagen supplements help with IPL?

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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.