POSTED UNDER IPL REVIEWS
IPL Burns - Matachewan, ON
ORIGINAL POST
I decided to have a foto facial done to correct...
$1,600
I decided to have a foto facial done to correct some sun damage I had. I just turned 40 and it was suggested I do the Triniti 3 in 1 series. (1) color correct) (2) firm face (3) matrix. The first treatment was horrible. I felt like I had hot curling iron burns on my face and forehead and had severe burns and blistering on sides of my mouth and chin which is now very discolored. I expressed my concerns and was told this was normal and it was believed I had a bad reaction to the topicane to explain my mouth burns. They prescribed me hydrocortisone cream. I was very reluctant to do the treatment it again as the package I paid for was 3 treatments. I was assured this treatment would help lift the discoloration I had from the previous treatment. This treatment was worse and I I look like a zebra! I can't stop crying and when I went back to see the doctor 4 days later and he said this is exactly what he expected and not to worry . I don't know what to do. I am going to try and see a dermatologist for advise but I live in the north and I think it will be unlikely.
Leahan's provider
Replies (10)
March 7, 2012
Leahan, hydrocortisone cream could help a lot to bring down the swelling, but I would hold off on the retin a for now. Get yourself to a burn center if possible and seek the advise of a doctor who treats burns. You have been burned and what you do right now is crucial to your recovery. Keep your skin protected at all times and stay out of the sun. I'm sorry this happened to you. Being burned by IPL and lasers is not normal and no doctor should try to convince anyone that it is normal. It's not normal.
March 8, 2012
I was just reading your story. I am so very sorry this happened to you! By the way, you are still very beautiful! I am wondering if you ever tried to get your money back or take legal action. I live in Canada to and I have no idea what to do. Dr. Barr is very reputable and that is why I decided to travel 4 hrs for his treatment rather than the local town 40 min away! I received an aswer to my question from a doctor on this site and he feels I should not go for the 3rd treatment and I will listen to him and you and everyoen else!
March 9, 2012
I probably know more about IPL and what it's capable of doing to someone's skin more than any doctor at this point. I have heard hundreds of stories of devastating outcomes from IPL. Yes, some have said that they were very happy with the results, but there is a dark side to IPL procedures (fat loss!). To put it simply, these devices heat up the dermis to cause damage in the "hopes" that some collagen will be produced, but it doesn't always turn out that way. There hasn't been enough research done on how these machines function and they should have never been invented in the first place. I'm glad you aren't going back for more. You need to heal from your burns.
December 21, 2014
Have you ever had patches on your face that were brown and would get darker in the summer with sun exposure? It looks like melasma to me and IPL treats can make it much worse. We always look to see if there are distinctive patches of brown before deciding on a plan of action. I am seeing more younger women with these problems due to birth control and the use of tanning booths. Pregnancy can also cause melasma. I had a client years ago that had melasma and after her 1st treatment 80% came off. She was very happy. But after #2 it came back. Best options I have found for these problems after IPL is the Obagi skin care line. I am amazed by the number of IPL complications posted to this site.
I am so sorry you have had to deal with this.
UPDATED FROM Leahan
It has been 3 weeks since my second Triniti...
It has been 3 weeks since my second Triniti treatment. I did not mention last time that I did not complete all 3 treatments as it was just too painful, so I was told they could do the matrix another time. They still want me to do third treatment but I decided I will not and I am hoping to get reimbursed for the treatments I did not receive. They have not answered me yet re: reimbursment. I have been using Retin A and hydroquinone as prescribed. My skin seems thin or someething ; for example, I scratch my cheek and I bleed? My skin is red and brown and it is very evident where I have been burned. I am currently trying to see a dermatoligist for opion.
Replies (29)
March 20, 2012
Thanks for giving us an update on how you are doing. I'm really glad to hear you are seeking a second opinion from a dermatologist. Please let us know what they have to say after your visit.
March 21, 2012
I don't see burns - I can only see the pigmentations coming to the surface. That's what the IPL does. It destroys the dark pigmentation and it then goes even darker and is peeled of. But I do understand your concern. They should have informed you much better. You should have known that this would happen so you could have prepared yourself for it. And it hurts like hell!!! They always say: "it's only minor discomfort". Discomfort? No, it really hurts!
April 3, 2012
I saw a dermatologist 2 wekks ago and he confirmed they were indeed burns and as a result of that trauma to my skin, I now have malasma. I am being treated and he assured me I will be fine in a couole of months,
March 22, 2012
Tell them that you will report them to the board of professional misconduct, and the bba, and that you also wish to receive back the reimbursement for the treatment you did not have, you're entitled to it.
March 25, 2012
I am so sorry that this was your experience. My aesthetitian just recommended this procedure to help with a few tiny broken capillaries. I'm glad that I checked. I think I'll pass.
March 28, 2012
I am sorry so many have has ba experiences with IPL. I just had a treatment today, with very little discomfort and other than some itching, no ill effects tonight. This is my third series, over 3-4 years and I have been very happy with the results for my rosacea. Each of my series was performed at a different dermatology clinic. I would recommend this procedure for rosacea.
UPDATED FROM Leahan
Well, it's been a little over a year and I have...
Well, it's been a little over a year and I have moved on! However, I do have hyperpigmentation, I still use hydroquinone and Retin A, and wear tons of sun blcok and hats! When I get any sun or wind, I get brown marks and teh track/bar marks become more visible. By the way, the Medi spa never accepted responsibility and never gave me any money back. Hard lesson to learn but I suppose it could have been worse. PLEASE do your reasearch and make an informed decision if you are thinking of treatments! I will post updated photo soon!
Replies (8)
May 1, 2013
Thank you so, so much for coming back and updating us a year later, Leahan!! I know many people will find this information to be extraordinarily helpful. I'm glad to hear you have moved on and I'll be hoping that your skin continues to improve as more time passes.
July 10, 2013
Hi Leahan! I am so sorry this happened to you. The people that did your treatment messed up on so many levels. By looking at your first tx photos I can tell that you most likely had melasma by the way the pigment lifted. (Though your melasma then was nothing compared to what it is now.) Laser should never be used to treat melasma and there are many studies out there to back that up. Laser (and IPL) will make melasma worse because the IPL creates an inflammatory response in your skin- they should never have sold you the treatment package. Also by the pics I can see that the settings were much too high. Having bar marks like that is terrible. ALSO I just can't even believe they did another treatment over the lifted pigment to lift it more!!!! That is like a big laser 101 no no!! Seriously girl these people screwed up big time and they are lucky you are being so sweet. You have every right to get your money back and honestly even to sue for all of ur money back plus damages and all the product you have had to buy. The clinic you went to should be paying for your hydroquinone products, giving you free facials, doing everything in their power to apologize and make this right. They messed up big time and they need to apologize! As far as your skin healing goes it is best to stay out of sun for at least 6 months post burn like u had -1 year is best. Ur hyperpig should clear over time but melasma ain't goin nowhere and should only be treated with topicals. Never laser, never any harsh scrubbing (aggressive microderm) aggressive peels (some peels are good but do the progressive approach like a PCA skin peel). Again I'm so sorry! Stick up for urself girl and don't let them bully you.
August 27, 2013
Thanks so much for taking the time to write your comments. Much appreciated. :)
August 24, 2013
The settings were definitely too high- I never saw marks like that hours after treatment. IPL does give you onion-skin-like scabs days after treatment that kind of molt off but you definitely should not have that kind of discoloration the first day. I think practitioners should recommend a highly soothing, antioxidant-rich balm for aftercare of the treated areas to speed healing and shedding of the ablated tissue.
August 27, 2013
Hello wine gal!, They did give me saline water and pads to soak my face as well as a cicaplast.
February 5, 2014
March 18, 2014
Yes, either the setting was too high, or the machine wasn't properly serviced. When I first got IPL it was by a beautician and she burnt my skin like that, but luckily it was on my shoulder. It took months to heal and I had some pigmentation issues, but it did eventually fade. Incidentally when I contacted her she said her machine was broken and she was waiting to have it fixed. I never went back.
I did get IPL again, but at a specialist clinic, and I never had the problem again. I think it's good advice to really choose the clinic carefully.
I can definitely see why you would be concerned. Seeing marks like that on your face would be scary, even if you have been re-assured its normal.
Here is a Q&A that might be of interest to you:
IPL Laser Hypopigmentation
Here is a review from a community member who had pretty severe burning from IPL. Simply judging off the photos it looks like her case was much more severe than yours, but she might be a good person for you to connect with to discuss your experience:
“Severe Burns from IPL Laser!”
Thank you so much for these links. I appreciate any advice I can get!
Sure thing, please keep us update on how you are doing!