Blog with Dr. IrwinTag >> IPL Is IPL an effective treatment for melasma? How does it compare to fractional laser or microdermabrasions? I've read conflicting information regarding IPL for melasma.
Please, please avoid this one. IPL in most patients with melasma is more likely to worsen it than improve it. In very rare instances, if you have very light skin (like a redhead), and... more
I had IPL 5 days ago - I notice the flaking...should I be patient or can I loofah?? I have only been washing my face fently with my fingertips
In general, after any laser procedure, including the IPL, you want to treat your skin very gently to avoid irritating it while it's healing. Even though it doesn't look like it... more
--------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Dr. Irwin!! I am planning on having an IPL treatment in June. Is this a good idea since summer is fast approaching?? I will be diligent with sunscreen but is it worth it? I will be at the beach for two weeks in July but will be careful to wear sunscreen/hat, etc. Will spots appear??? Help!!! Thanks!
There are really two issues here. Is it safe? And is it worth it? On the safety issue first, as long as you don't have melasma, are a lighter skin type and really use your... more Can a laser be used safely if I'm on a medication that makes me photosenstive?Posted in Rosacea, Lasers, IPL, 2011 on Apr 16, 2011 | Permalink I'm 47 and I am seeing a dermatologist/aesthetician, I have red broken vessles or capalaries on my face and laser therapy is being recommended, but I'm on a medication that causes photosensitivity.(It's not an option to stop the medication it is for diabetes(glyburide). I really want those blood vessles gone, what are your recommendations? Can a laser be used safely??
Usually lasers and IPL systems can be used safely in this circumstance. The key is for the nurse, PA-C or doctor to do several test areas on your face before treating the entire face. ... more
Why did my brown spots come back after IPL treatments when I wore sunscreen?Posted in Sunscreen, IPL, Brown Spots, 2011 on Apr 04, 2011 | Permalink Hi Dr. Irwin,
I had a two IPL treatments for brown spots/previous sun damage. I was very please with my resuls. I went to Costa Rica a month after my ipl treatment and my spots are back!!! I wore Neutragena SPF 100, a hat and wasn't basking out in the sun. I was very good with reapplying the sunscreen. I am perplexed! What do you recommend? I would get another IPL treatment, but is it really worth the cost? I was so disappointed that after two days in the sun, with heavy sunscreen on, they came back. Is there a better sunscreen then Neutragena 100? Any over the counter creams do you recommend or should I try another IPL? Thanks so much!
Okay - this is good - because there are some important points here. Remember that for brown spots the SPF doesn't matter much as long as it's at least an SPF 30. You want an SPF 30... more Chloasma/melasma - are lasers safe especially on darker skin types?Posted in Peels, Melasma, IPL, Fraxel laser, Carbon Dioxide Lasers, Brown Spots, 2010 on Oct 11, 2010 | Permalink Hello Dr Irwin,
I have very lage dark brown spots on each cheek which appeared in 1999. They have been diagnosed as chloasma. I consulted three dermatologists between 2000 and 2005, two of whom advised me that laser or peeling techniques were not recommended for Asian skin types , I have Indo-European origins. Therefore I have only used depigmenting creams which had no effect and in fact the spots have increased in size in recent years.
My question is: have laser techniques advanced since 2005 and are there any now which would provide a good result on my skin type?
Thank you So first, I'm assuming you've had these spots looked at in the past year by a dermatologist to make sure they are not skin cancer! Then, this is a tough question and not all dermatologists... more I had a IPL done which caused severe swelling for about 5 days! She did not use gel prior but did afterwards. The tissue still seems a bit hard and I ended up with sags of fluid under the eye. When I call my doctor they put me on a steriod. Is this normal?
There are a lot of different IPLs on the market now so I can't claim to have looked at them all but....... most systems use gel on the skin between the crystal and the skin. It's hard to... more A follow up on a problem with an IPL treatment!Posted in Pigment problems, Peels, IPL, Brown Spots, 2010 on Oct 03, 2010 | Permalink Dear Dr I, I took your advise and went back to the doctor who did my IPL and left me with brown/black marks on my face for 10 days!!!! I still have dark spots on my face a month later and he says it's just a matter of time and he will do a peel once a week to speed up the process. I didn't like that answer and went for a second opinion. The 2nd doc said to wait about a month and do a lime light treatment. I got a 3rd opinion who recommended to do another IPL treatment with a lower setting to break up the pigmentation he says is stuck right below the surface. Needless to say, I still value your opinion over a computer than these other people. I know it's hard without seeing me but any suggestions you have I will use to help make a better decision. I'm hispanic, 37 yrs old and had good skin with the exception of some sun spots that led me to the horrible IPL treatment. I still have the sun spots plus alot more brown blotches:( Thanks for your time.
I'm impressed because this is a really tough situation and you're doing such a great job being proactive about it. Kudos to you! I'm guessing, hoping that they all went over the basics... more I'm having difficulty finding a good cosmetic dermatologist where I live.Posted in Skin Care, MedSpa, Lasers, IPL, Fraxel laser, Finding a Good Doctor, 2010 on Sep 26, 2010 | Permalink I am trying to find a cosmetic dermatologist in Vancouver, BC. I have discovered in my research that most of the clinics have technicians doing the laser procedures rather than the dermatologist. In addition, many of the anti-aging clinics are headed by medical doctors that have "a special interest in cosmetic procedures." Is this the norm?
Thanks,Lisa
Okay so good questions! I'll try to clarify. Many good dermatologists or plastic surgeons will delegate procedures. I don't have a problem with this as long as the laser provider has a... more I have to have V-Beam treatments for the broken blood vessels I get on my face from Rosacea. So my question is, does the V-Beam help build collagen? Thanks for any info.
The short answer is no. The reason is that it is a "true" laser which has only 1 wavelength. The IPLs remove blood vessels, remove brown spots AND build collagen because they light... more
Hi Dr. I...Like many of us on your site...how I wish you were in my state! I am a light (olive) hispanic and had an IPL done for spots and I am mortified!!! The first 7 days the areas treated were brown/purple and now on my 12th day the scabs have fallen off and the area is pink and very scaly/white blistery type skin. The pink has started to darken again to a light brown. The doctor (who I did research prior to the procedure) says its healing and I need to give it time!!! My question to you is will my skin return to normal from your experience ? I had great skin with some sun spots I has hoping to lighten and I am so afraid that I damaged my skin permenantly.
Did your dermatologist see you after the IPL treatment or was this done over the phone? If the doctor has not seen you, please call and just nicely insist that they do. It may be just... more What are the best laser options for light/olive/Hispanic skin with minor discolorations and a few broken capillaries?Posted in Lasers, IPL, Fraxel laser, 2010 on Sep 14, 2010 | Permalink Dear Dr. Irwin,
What are the best laser options for light/olive/Hispanic skin with minor discolorations and a few broken capillaries?
You are wise to be a bit careful! If you can do it in the winter and not be tan at all, you might do well with an IPL (photorejuvenation). BUT......... you must go to an expert... more
I'm concerned about possible side effects of photorejuvenation - what should I watch out for?Posted in Lasers, IPL, Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2010 on Jul 08, 2010 | Permalink Dr. Irwin: Your website has been extremely helpful - thank you! I have been thinking about Photorejuvenation for brown spots on my face. I have them on my upper lip & a few on my cheeks. Just as you said in the video - "many people are scared of lasers" well I am one of those people. I have read a great deal online & have discussed the treatment with a local doctor, but still have concerns. First, I have read about the "striping" that can occur after - how common is this; what % of people would you say this happens to; how long does this effect last; what's done to correct it? Is there typically any crusting of the brown spots after a treatment, if so what % of people experience this? Finally, what % of people actually see results from the treatment, if done properly? I guess, my fear is making the "problem" worse because of the "striping" & is the cost worth it?
I looked at your recommendations for local doctors - do you know of anyone in the Cleveland, Ohio area? Thanks so much....
These are all good questions. My concern is that when you saw your local doctor these questions weren't answered. I would recommend getting a second opinion from another office and... more Is there any way to reduce the swelling after an IPL laser treatment?Posted in IPL, Brown Spots, 2010 on Jul 05, 2010 | Permalink Hi I just had a treatment for brown spots using IPL laser and had very severe swelling any tips to reduce the swelling, thanks.
Here are some things to try for swelling after an IPL treatmemt:
Why didn't my brown spots light up after my IPL treatment the way they usually do?Posted in Pigment problems, Lasers, IPL, Brown Spots, 2010 on Jun 01, 2010 | Permalink Hi Dr. Irwin
I just had an IPL treatment for my brown spots at a new clinic. This was my 4th treatment over the span of 2 years. I didn't feel the "zapping" that I did in my previous treatments and my brown spots have not gotten darker like past times- immediately after the treatments. I was expecting the pinkness on my cheeks,the slight scabbing for a few days and then the spots disappear or are much lighter. This experience was very different. Do you think it can have the same results if I didn't experience any of my expected/usual things? I know the settings must have been different and probably the machine. I hope I didn't waste money trying to find a new place closer to home. I know time will tell ...I was just wondering if there is somewhat of standard experience for the IPLs? Thank You
Excellent question! There are many different companies making IPLs now and they are not all created equally. The ones sold to salons and medispas tend to be less powerful and therefore... more Will a laser work for loose skin on the abdomen?Posted in Thermage and Radiofrequency Devices, Thermage, Pregnancy, Lasers, IPL, Fraxel laser, Body Treatments, African american skin on Mar 21, 2010 | Permalink I had a baby almost three years ago. I was fortunate that I was able to loose the weight and escape stretch mark free(She weigh 10 pounds). I am 5'4 and weigh 130 pounds. I workout regularly so I'm in pretty good shape. I am thinking of trying a laser for my belly button area. The skin has lost the elesticity and that area looks so different from the rest of my abdominal area. I know you are against this type of thing incase of major weight loss but I wonder if you think that it would make a difference in my case? I have consulted with 2 doctors and of course, both said yes that it would make a significant difference. I still don't know if I trust the response. If you think it would is there a particular one you recommend? I so appreciate your honesty and straight-fowardness. Thank you again and again. Good for you for getting back into shape!! It's hard, isn't it. Well........it depends on which type of laser and how loose the skin is. If it's more like a stretch mark around your... more Why aren't my IPL treatments working better for my brown spots?Posted in IPL, Brown Spots on Dec 01, 2009 | Permalink I'm 52 with fair skin and I have brown spots on my face from too much sun exposure years ago.I was told that all I needed was two IPL treatments to get rid of the brown spots. I purchased a package of 2 IPL's and 2 Peels along with microderm treatments. I had two IPL's for the brown spots. I had the two peels and microderm treatments. The first IPL treatment brought up the coffee-grounds type discoloration. Then the coffee-ground appearance became lighter and eventually came off leaving my brown spots a little lighter. The second treatment did nothing at all. I went back a third time and they retreated the main spots and again nothing changed. Does this mean that they will never get any lighter? I also use a 4% hydroquinone product and tretinoin gel 0.05%. I use an SPF 50 sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as possible. Am I missing something? Should I have more IPL treatments? I hear this question/problem A LOT! IPL systems are numerous and not all created equally. Some IPL systems are almost worthless in my opinion because they are underpowered and not easy to... more How can I get rid of freckles?Posted in IPL, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Nov 10, 2009 | Permalink I'm 54 and getting lots of freckles on my shoulders. Sun damage, I guess. Which laser would be best to lessen those freckels? Is it expensive to get the whole shoulder area treated? Too many sunburns in the past and all those fun racerback tops might be catching up with you! The most cost effective way to treat these is with an IPL or an older laser called a... more Dear Dr.Irwin, I have read that the following items are good to use for the rosacea I have; A cleanser containing alpha lipoic acid, a high potency alpha lipoic acid lotion for the face and neck and an alpha lipoic eye product with DMAE and vitamin c ester. I currently use cetaphil as my cleanser and cetaphil daily facial moisturizer, spf 15. I am very confused with all the products that are available. I also use evoclin foam in the morning and finacea cream in the evening. These do seem to take away the reddness however, they are not very long lasting. If the first 3 items I mentioned are the correct things to use, I was wondering where they could be purchased. I read your article on rosacea and noticed that you did not mention these products. Any advice you could offer would be appreciated. Thank you very much. Mary Dear Mary - There isn't any good evidence that the alpha lipoic products work any better than what you already have for rosacea. And, they tend to be expensive. You didn't mention your... more Precancerous spots (actinic keratoses) and laserPosted in Skin Cancer, IPL on Jul 31, 2009 | Permalink
Hi Dr. Irwin,
I have a lot of AK's on my face and am considering laser treatment rather than Carac cream...what is the difference between the Fraxel laser treatment and the IPL photofacial and which would be better for AK's in particular?
Thank you for your time...I appreciated your videos.
Best wishes,
Phillipa Hi Phillipa: Both can work well depending on how they are done. The Fraxel Restore (erbium) laser takes 3-4 treatments to be really effective for actinic keratoses (AKs) but the advantage... more |
Ask a QuestionAsk Dr. Irwin a question about skin care, beauty, new treatments, skin care products, new technology, or skin health. She'll answer five to ten questions a week. 
Your Own News Feed
Click here to subscribe to an automatic news feed of Dr. Irwin’s latest question and answer blog posting.
Take a quick skin care or acne quiz to see tips on skin care and products. 
Skin Care Product Info Which Products Do You Really Need? Products Dr. Irwin Uses Skin Care Products on a Budget Product Recommendations
|
||||||
