Laser Damage from IPL Treatment. Can I do anything to reverse this? (Photo)

Question

I got 5 IPL treatments over the last 6 months to treat my rosacea and have noticed a rash-like appearance on both sides of my face since starting the treatment. It started as a faint small red mark after the 1st session and I wrote it off as nothing too serious. It eventually kept growing and increasing in size with each session and my derm kept telling me that it was my rosacea acting up and that eventually, the IPL would fix it. Is there anything I can do to help reverse the laser damage?

Cristyn Watkins, MD · Answer

A laser peel (resurfacing) treatment can be used to reduce hyperpigmentation.

There are ablative and non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers are the most intense, and they involve removing layers of your skin. Non-ablative procedures, on the other hand, target the dermis to promote collagen growth and tightening effects.

Ablative lasers are stronger, but they may cause more side effects. Both destroy elements in your skin to ensure that new skin cells grow back tighter and more toned.

You could also use chemical peels acids at stronger concentrations to treat the desired area of skin. They reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis. Deeper versions may also penetrate the middle layer of your skin (dermis) to produce more dramatic results.

Laser Damage from IPL Treatment. Can I do anything to reverse this? (Photo)

Answers (1)