Is laser treatment (IPL) safe for thin skin?

Question

I've been struggling with hyperpigmentation, and I am thinking about going for IPL treatment for this. But I was told by my aesthetician/facialist that I have a 'thin' skin and that I should not do any laser treatment on my face. And by doing laser, it will make my skin even thinner and that I should stick with a less aggressive treatment. Is this true?

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

Yes, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatments are very safe and effective for treating patients with thin skin. IPL is a gentle treatment that is non-ablative and much less aggressive than other laser treatments.

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD · Answer

Yes, IPL is safe for your skin. Intense pulsed
light is not a laser treatment. It is an “intense light” treatment. Think of it
as a super intense camera flash. IPL is a broadband light source which contains
multiple wavelengths of light. These wavelengths are usually focused around a
specific (wavelength) number that is effective in treating hyperpigmentation (brown
colors), or dilated capillaries and flushing (red colors). Pigments absorb
light energy. The intense light wave is absorbed by either the brown pigment,
or the red blood; the light energy is then subsequently converted to heat
energy, which damages the target cell or vessel. The brown spots and red
vessels are subsequently damaged, and eliminated.

Perhaps your thin skin might be a bit
more sensitive than average, but an experienced aesthetician can certainly
administer this type of treatment.

The laser your aesthetician refers to, that
would “make your skin even thinner”, is likely something similar to a
broad-based CO2 laser. A laser is composed of only a single wavelength of light
that is amplified in intensity. The laser injury that is produced is based upon
water's affinity for that particular wavelength of light.  So it is the
water content of the skin that the laser is targeting. A broad-based laser
would act more like a plane, progressively removing thin layers of the skin, which
would subsequently make the skin thinner.

This type of thinning is evident in patients
who have undergone such treatments (in the past), often for lines and wrinkles
around the mouth. They exhibit visibly thinner skin, which appears hypopigmented
because the treatment has been performed aggressively/deep enough to remove a
sufficient amount of the dermis that has included the majority of the pigmented
cells.

The latest laser technologies focus on
fractionated lasers. A fractionated laser works differently than a broad-based
laser. A Fractionated laser lays down tiny dots of laser injury, instead of one
broad patch. These lasers are referred to as "fractionated" because
they treat only a fraction of the skin surface. Each little spot of laser
injury is surrounded by untreated skin. This makes the laser treatment safer
and results in less downtime. But many fractionated laser treatments are
performed as a series of treatments, accomplishing results over several
treatment sessions, rather than in one single treatment.

Think of a broad-based laser like a paint
roller, and a fractionated laser like a spray can in terms of the type of
coverage/injury they provide. The fractionated lasers may be more applicable to
individuals who might not otherwise be able to tolerate or undergo a laser
procedure. There are many fractionated lasers on the market now, and they can
produce excellent results for photoaging and acne scarring, among other things.

The type of treatment that is best for you
would depend upon your skin type and quality, your treatment expectations, the
amount of downtime you are willing to tolerate, and what you're willing to spend.
It certainly seems that some IPL or fractionated laser treatment could be carefully
utilized to improve the appearance of your skin. Best wishes.

Is laser treatment (IPL) safe for thin skin?

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Is laser treatment (IPL) safe for thin skin?

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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.