POSTED UNDER IPL REVIEWS
Ipl for Brown Spots/sun Damage - Stamford, CT
ORIGINAL POST
Pictures are 22 hours post procedure. Doctor did...
Lala50May 6, 2015
WORTH IT$500
Pictures are 22 hours post procedure. Doctor did a test patch on face before having assistant continue with the procedure. Eye patch tapes placed over both eyes. Whole face only took about 5 minutes. Feels like a hot rubber band snap and also see lightening like flashes of light with each pull of the laser wand trigger. Felt like it was getting hotter each time. The assistant would pause before moving to each new area and warned me that the nose and upper lip would hurt more. My body involuntarily jumped or spasmed with every zap even though I could tolerate the pain. It hurt more than I thought and I don't think I could have tolerated much more. Immediately after the procedure my face was red like a mild sunburn and hurt like a sunburn. I was given 2 cold packs to hold on my face for a few minutes in the room and on my way home. I did not notice any swelling and the sunburn appearance only lasted about an hour. My brown spots turned dark almost immediately. This morning the dark spots still feel smooth and haven't started to dry. Also, had to run out last night for something and tried using foundation to cover spots. Only worked so so and felt a little self conscious. Will post follow up photos. Also, want to note that during procedure on chin I interrupted the technician because it felt much hotter - hope the patch is not a burn that will leave an undesirable effect.
Replies (17)
May 7, 2015
Thanks for posting these pics. I am 3 days in and my face isn't reacting too well, a lot of swelling. Please let us know how you progress.
May 8, 2015
I am sorry. Have you checked back in with the provider? Ask them if they recommend cold packs or an anti inflammatory like ibuprofen.
May 10, 2015
Yes I called and got right in. It was fluid build up in the pockets just below the eyes. It went away today (day 6). Apparently some people just have that reaction.
May 13, 2015
Swelling will go down, no worries. If it's burning sensation - use ice pack wrapped in thin towel or clean cloth, don't put ice pack directly on your skin/face. If you can - try to get the most sleep as possible. A lot of people forget that our body (all of it including our skin-face) heals the best during the sleep. You may be surprised how much getting a lot of sleep can improve swelling and over all condition of your tender skin. DON'T PUT ANYTHING on your face, please!!! NO PRODUCTS on our face for a WEEK! Once your swelling will subside, and your skin will start to peel (because it will!) - resist t use moisturizer but you can put a VERY THIN LAYER of POLYSPORIN (get in Pharmacy-Chemist-Drugstore) on areas of your face where it feels dry or almost itchy. Do this for during the day and leave skin rest and heal during the night/during sleep time. POLYSPORIN is antibacterial lotion and it also has a very small concentration of hydrocortisone which reduces itchiness. If you don't have POLYSPORIN on hand you can use also a thin layer of VASELINE.
May 8, 2015
Hi. Where did you have IPL done and was it performed by a Doctor? I hope you will have great results! Thank-you. I'm thinking of doing this in Stamford, CT also.
May 8, 2015
long Ridge Dermatology
Dr. Savitz did the consultation and presented options. He did a test spot and evaluated and then a medical assistant (not a nurse) performed the procedure.
May 8, 2015
I had procedure done 2 days ago and was worried about my brown darken spots. Thanks for your pictures as they reassured me I am also on the right track. I almost think that trying to cover them with makeup will bring more attention to them. I always wear foundation, but in this case I think I will pass and just apply my SPF. Everyone says it feels like snap of rubber band but to me it feels like cigarettes being extinguished on my face. I have had this procedure done several times in the past by different Doctor's and every time it hurt like all hell. So desperate to get rid of broken capillaries and age spots (formerly called freckles when I was younger)., that I put up with the pain. I smelt burning and the doctor informed me that is the facial hair that is burning when they do the treatment. Just wanted to mention it because it's a little frightening when all of a sudden you smell a burning smell. Too bad peach fuzz face hair will likely come back. Thanks again for your post.
May 8, 2015
Yes! Cigarette analogy is good :). Really hot rubber band. I was surprised how my body involuntarily jumped with every zap. I was worried on the second day also because the brown spots still felt so smooth. I guess you have to wait for your body to naturally slough them off. They told me to not moisturize because they want the area to dry so I have only out make up on to go to 2 different school functions so as not to embarrass my children :). Maybe moisturizing would prolong the sloughing? Good luck
May 13, 2015
Don't use ANYTHING on your face yet!!! Putting on foundation on was not a smart move...you're risking getting infection since your skin has no protective barrier right now. Keep your fingers and all products away for 5 - 7 days at least. That includes water! If you have to have a shower - try to NOT soak your face in water, or as little as possible. If you will manage to keep your face free of everything for a week - it will heal much better and faster. Putting on products and fiddling with your face after IPL is interfering with skin's (derma's) natural ability to heal itself.
May 13, 2015
Also, try to avoid sun exposure if you can for a week, but if you have to go outside (to work or similar), the ONLY product you need to use on your face is HIGH SPF because your burnet spots can get even darker....otherwise don't use anything at all on your face. If you need to wash off sunscreen from your face in the evening - use just water, stay away from any cleansers, even if they're mild. After your skin will completely peel off and heal - then you can continue in your usual face-care routine. You just need to be patient and careful for a week with your face.
May 13, 2015
You know what is even less of a "smart move"? Taking medical advice from an uninformed internet troll who thinks they have somehow acquired a medical degree by doing google searches. I have read some of your other posts and am surprised that the moderators continue to allow you to post. You have several posts where you make less than supportive remarks.
May 13, 2015
Also, regarding above statement "your skin has no protective barrier right now" - your skin IS your bodies protective barrier. The IPL does not remove the skin and it does not "interfere with the skin's (derma's) natural ability to heal itself". The intense pulsed light with filters can target specific chromophores - specifically in my case, melanin or sun spots. The energy/light is absorbed by the sun spots and transformed into heat resulting in the destruction of the targeted cells by high temperature. This makes them appear darker initially. They are then either absorbed or naturally slough off as they move towards the surface of your skin. BTW, your skin is always regenerating itself and dead cells flake off on a daily basis with or without IPL. Also, regarding your statement "Your skin will completely peel off" this is not true. Your skin does NOT completely peel off as you describe. Also, my dermatologist, MD (as I know from other posts that you put down people who don't use MD's) actually gave me samples of mild facial cleanser to be used twice a day. Your only accurate information is to stay out of the sun. Finally, this is a forum for sharing personal stories and support. Many of your comments seem to put people down for various reasons. I really have my doubts that you are an "expert" in any of the procedures your are doling out advice in an unsupportive manner. Perhaps you should limit yourself to speaking of your own experience. BTW, although I am not a MD, I am have been an RN, BSN for 25 years.
May 14, 2015
May 14, 2015
UPDATED FROM Lala50
3 days post
3 days later
Lala50May 8, 2015
Coffee ground effect - brown spots making their way to the surface. I used a clarifying solution today - probably not recommended, but saw some small brown dots on cotton pad. They feel slightly raised but still pretty smooth. Saw a friend yesterday and she said she didn't notice until I pointed it out. I am posting some pics with concealer and foundation. I think the spot in my chin was a mild burn - maybe she discharged to laser twice too close to the same spot. Make sure you speak up if you notice a change during the procedure. I did not have any swelling - maybe because they had me use cold packs post procedure? They said I could repeat the procedure in two weeks, but I've notice a lot of posts say 4 weeks so I will probably reschedule. Also, not sure if I will be able to continue through the summer. I might have to wait until winter as it is hard to avoid all sun. I think it can have an undesirable affect if you have even a mild tan going. I am posting pics of the area with concealer and a foundation to show that the "coffee grounds" can be covered up. I'll post next pics without makeup. Not many brown spots coming out on forehead.
Replies (3)
May 10, 2015
Any good dermatologist will know that melasma should not be treated with a laser of any type! Will help at first, but eventually make it worse, IPL and laser should only be used on post acne marks, sunspots etc.
UPDATED FROM Lala50
8 days post
8 days post procedure
Lala50May 13, 2015
I'm thrilled with the results! Many of the sun spots are gone and the few larger spots are significantly faded. Up close I can still see some spots, but standing in front of the mirror at normal distance, my skin looks so clear and smooth. I would like to get another treatment, but am not sure this is the right time of year for me. I have my follow up appointment next Tuesday.
Replies (3)
May 13, 2015
Let us know how your followup appointment goes. Thanks for updating and sharing the pics.
May 16, 2015
Results look great! Any tips for someone going to get IPL for a sunspot also? How painful should I be prepped for and anything to heal faster?
March 7, 2016
Fantastic results! What brand IPL machine did they use? There are many different brands and some do nothing at all. This is clearly a good one.
Thanks for sharing and please let us know how you're doing.