Which is better for freckles: IPL v. TCA Peel?

Question

I have freckles for about 10 years that are stubborn to treat. Which is recommended for freckles? A series of IPL's or TCA Peels?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for the skin and 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

Jose Barrera, MD · Answer

IPL or intense pulse light is safer for freckles and is safe on ethnic skin. A TCA peel may also be effective depending on the concentration of the TCA and the type of TCA used.

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Thanks for your
question, and the fact is both options will probably give you great results.
Find a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine which
options for your freckles may be best for you. IPLs are a great treatment to
treat brown spots, and again, after an examination to make sure that we are in
fact treating freckles, a series of treatments will usually take care of these
lesions. Not all IPLs are the same, so make sure your provider is using a newer
IPL and that they are experts in this kind of device.

Pamela Carr, MD · Answer

IPL is a particularly good technology to improve pigment and blood vessels usually due to sun damage on the face, hands, forearms, neck and décolleté.  If your underlying skin tones are reasonably fair, the IPL would do a great job of improving those stubborn freckles.  Estimate 5 sessions of IPL for best results.

R. Scott Yarish, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Pigmented lesions, such as freckles and age spots are best treated with a series of 3 to 5 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments.  IPL technology helps create smoother-looking skin.  After a series of treatments, you can see a significant reduction of unwanted pigmentation.  The same treatment can be used effectively on the neck, chest, arms, and hands.  By dividing the full program into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvement with very low risk.  It preserves the wonderful "no down time" feature that people appreciate so much.

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Which is better for freckles: IPL v. TCA Peel?

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.