54 yo female, would IPL get rid of these dark age spots? (Photos)

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

Hi Mariann,Thank you for your question. IPL *could* help brighten those spots. However, it can often take a series of 3-6 treatments to fully lift the pigment on those type of spots and sometimes they never fully brighten/disappear. Also, post care is pivotal in keeping those spots from worsening/coming back. The skin in that area is permanently damaged so any direct sun exposure shortly after treatment or even extended unprotected direct sun exposure can cause those areas to darken again. I would advise that you meet with an experienced practitioner for an in-depth consultation on all the best way to treat your concerns. Best of luck!

While so-called light and energy-based treatments have been promoted by heavy marketing and social media buzz, the simple and relatively inexpensive use of varying concentrations of superficial peeling agents, like high concentration glycolic and salicylic acids, Jessner's solution and low concentrations of TCA have been used safely and effectively for many decades to fade skin brown spots like those shown in the photos. It would be worth remembering that everything that is so called "new and improved" isn't necessarily better or even as good as some less glitzy previously proven treatment modalities. Hope this helps in your research. Best of luck.