Treatment Frequency for IPL for Rosacea?

Question

I just began a series of six IPL treatments for redness and small visible vessels from rosacea. The nurse told me to come once per week, but most of what I've read on this site talks about 3 or 4 weeks between sessions. I had no pain, burning or swelling after my first treatment. Is there any harm in getting one treatment per week. Is this too often?

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

Philip Young, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, they should be performed at least 3-4 weeks apart to see how your skin reacted to the first treatment. I would discuss with your Nurse why they would want you to come in every week, they might have the settings really low so you can adjust to the treatment.  Good Luck!

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

We usually recommend our treatments to be 3 to 4 weeks apart for treating Rosacea.  Your provider may increase the intensity of the IPL as treatments go on.  The first time treatment may have been that he/she was being conservative to see how your skin reacts. -this is normal.

	Good luck.

	 Dr. Grant Stevens

Donna Bilu Martin, MD · Answer

Intense pulsed light treatments work by targeting melanin (pigment) and hemoglobin (blood) in the skin.  IPL works well to reduce the redness and flushing seen in rosacea by destroying blood vessels.  Treatments are usually performed 3-4 weeks apart to avoid complications from overtreatment such as hyperpigmentation (brown spots) or scarring.

Keith A. LaFerriere, MD (retired) · Answer

The generally recommended time between IPL treatments is 3-4 weeks.  As the treatments progress, the settings on the IPL machine are usually adjusted to give the maximal results, and it is possible that you might encounter swelling or redness if the treatments are given too frequently.

Treatment Frequency for IPL for Rosacea?

Answers (5)

Answer: IPL for rosacea

Answer: IPL for rosacea

Answer: Time between IPL treatments

Answer: Time between IPL treatments

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.

Treatment Frequency for IPL for Rosacea?

Answers (5)

Answer: IPL for rosacea

Answer: IPL for rosacea

Answer: Time between IPL treatments

Answer: Time between IPL treatments

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.