FotoFacial/IPL Treatments Questions & Answers

View answers provided by DermaNetwork.org specialists. If your question is not answered below, please submit your question to our Ask a Specialist feature.

What would an IPL do for my skin and to prevent wrinkles?
(3 answers)
How does a IPL benefit my skin? I'm relatively young, in my late twenties and am looking into non invasive preventative treatments. Is IPL an ideal procedure for me?

IPL vs IPL RF for Rosacea
(0 answers)
Can IPL w/RF help Rosacea redness, not affect it due to the RF, or can it make it worse?

Does this procedure do anything to reduce pore size?
(4 answers)
Does this procedure do anything to reduce size of pores?

Roseacea flares, need advice.
(1 answer)
I know IPL is terrific for roseacea. Is using topical vitamin A, a good or bad idea? I use Trentinoin 0.5 and I see skin improvement but the roseacea flares. I always discontinue use of vitamin A before and after IPL. When I recommence the problems flare.

Does an IPL/PhotoFacial tighten sagging skin?
(5 answers)
As above, does IPL/PhotoFacial also tighten your skin or does that call for a different procedure?

Is IPL and infra red light the same treatment?
(5 answers)
Can someone explain the difference between IPL and infra red light treatments?

IPL or chemical peel for facial brown spots?
(2 answers)
My dermatologist recommended IPL to remove some brown spots, acne marks, etc. on my face. Would a chemical peel do the same thing? Is the IPL permanent, or will the spots come back? I had frozen nitro used on the spots, & they came back 2 years later.

When having an IPL treatment done, will you get an even consistency?
(9 answers)
When you have a FotoFacial or IPL treatment done, does the laser treat the entire face so you get an even consistency in color?

Can IPL treatment worsen rosacea?
(2 answers)
Had my first ipl with lumenis M22 6 weeks ago. On day 3 I developed increased redness, blotchiness, larger pores and "orange peel" look to my cheeks. It has not improved. Wondering if there are any treatments for this adverse effect.

Recently had terrible reaction to Photofacial, could it have burned the subdermal layer and caused permanent damage?
(4 answers)
Have had PFs before (2), 4 weeks apart. I'm not using any new meds or face products, just a different tech. Luminesse laser, same settings caused my face to swell like a balloon, lumpy, and red almost like histamine reaction. 4 days later, prednisone & still not fixed. HELP!

I am 44 and still on oral contraceptives. Could I benefit from laser treatment?
(5 answers)
I have melasma on my face. I am 44 and still on oral contraceptives. Could I benefit from laser treatment?

Can I expect lasting results from fraxel or other laser treatmentsto remove my melasma while I am still on birth control pills?

Which laser works best for stretch marks if they are still red? The led or the ipl?
(2 answers)
Which laser works best for stretch marks if they are still red? The led or the ipl?

Do you think this works to treat melasma?
(2 answers)
Will FotoFacial and/or IPL treatments work to treat melasma?

I am a juvenile diabetic. Is it safe for me to get an IPL photo facial?
(8 answers)
My diabetic doctor is busy, and I cannot get in to see him for a few months. I would like to try one of these facials, but want an experts opinion before I do.

Is it safe to have an ipl, microdermabration, and chemical peel all in the same visit?
(7 answers)
Is it safe to have an ipl, microdermabration, and chemical peel all in the same visit?

How to prevent scarring?
(4 answers)
I had ipl 5 days ago. On that day, 1 of the brownspots wiped off while washing my face. It never had a chance to crust. Its now infected. I'm on oral antibiotics & using bacitracin. Was this a blister? More import-what can I do to prevent scarring?

Should the skin be pink after the brown spots crust off?
(5 answers)
Three days ago I had ipl treatment on my face. Several of the spots crusted and flakes away leaving pink skin underneath. Is this normal or was I burned. What do I do now?

Can one with factor five leiden receive ipl treatment?
(2 answers)
Can a women with the factor five leiden gene receive ipl treatments?

When can I have IPL after a breakout?
(4 answers)
Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait after pimples go away before I can have IPL? Will IPL make the breakout worse if it's done too soon?

What is the difference between IPL and ematrix for removing lines?
(2 answers)
What is the difference between IPL and ematrix for removing lines?

Can someone get burned by a fotofacial IPL laser even if it is a low setting?
(4 answers)
I heard some many bad reviews about people getting burned from this laser. I have fair skin and facial veins I want to get rid of. Also, what are the reasons why someone would get burned. If a person is burned does it eventually clear?

Is it normal to have breakouts 4 days after my first IPL treatment?
(4 answers)
I had my first IPL treatment for facial redness and broken veins. 4 days since my first treatment and I've had breakouts of pimples. i havent had such a breakout since my teens im in my mid 30s now.

My skin is still discolored from IPL treatment, is this normal?
(3 answers)
I had a photofacial 6 days ago and had large dark brown rectangles all over my face. I've gently rubbed them off and now my skin has white patches. What should I do?

What is an alternative to an IPL treatment that lasts longer than a year?
(9 answers)
It says that IPL treamtments will last only a year? However, I can not afford to redo this treatment every year. I have sun damage and need a more permanent option.

What is the differnce between 1 month FotoFacial treatments and every 2 month of treatments Do you get the same effects?
(3 answers)
If you get IPL laser for spider veins every 2 months, will you get the same effects as if you got treatments every month?

Why is it that IPL treatments have to be 3-6 weeks apart?
(10 answers)
Is there a reason you have to wait between IPL treatments?

Are FotoFacial/IPL Treatment results long lasting?
(6 answers)
I had IPL about a month ago and love the results. However, I've heard that the results with IPL are not permanent, that they fade over time. Is this true? How can I make my results last longer?

Can FotoFacial/IPL Treatments work on the scalp?
(6 answers)
I'm a balding man in my 50s, and I have a lot of sun damage and age spots on the top of my head. Is FotoFacial a good choice to treat this, or are other options better? Is the skin on the scalp more sensitive than other areas?

Is IPL or Laser Resurfacing the best procedure for rosacea?
(9 answers)
I am looking into options to reduce my rosacea symptoms (redness, scars, bumps) and to improve the appearance of my skin. I am looking at the IPL or the combo IPL+Laser.

Will Fotofacial/IPL reduce oil glands?
(8 answers)
My face is super oily and I'm looking for a way to slow down the sebaceous glands. What is the best procedure for this?

Is there a difference between IPL Treatment and IPL Photofacial?
(3 answers)
Or are they just two names for the same treatment?

Is there a link between Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL) and fat loss?
(2 answers)
I heard that in some patients, IPL can cause fat atrophy in facial structures, causing a hollowness of the cheeks. Is this true, and if so, how could this happen?

Is Intense Pulse Light therapy an effective treatment for stretch marks?
(5 answers)
I have moderate, white stretch marks on my stomach and chest after having a baby. Is IPL a good option, or is another treatment better for this?

I have dry skin and brown spots after my IPL treatment, is this normal?
(6 answers)
I just got an IPL treatment 5 days ago and my skin is extremely dry and my brown spots are more noticeable, is that normal?

Why can't I use moisturizers on my face after IPL treatment?
(1 answer)
I was told that I may dab a little Vaseline on the crusted spots only. What else can I use?

Is Fotofacial/IPL the best for wrinkles in the eye area?
(7 answers)
Is IPL or Fraxel better for reducing fine lines and eye wrinkles? I have pretty noticeable crow's feet.

Is Intense Pulse Light therapy only used for cosmetic purposes?
(3 answers)
Or can it treat actual medical conditions? What conditions?

I have hyperpigmitation from lazer...can Fotofacial help?
(4 answers)
Will Fotofacial help with hyperpiminattion and can it cause more hyperpigmitation? If so is there a better procedure to use?

Will FotoFacial/IPL treatments cause my face to peel?
(6 answers)
I'd like to get something before the holidays to freshen up my skin, but I don't want a long recovery or peeling. Would Fotofacial/IPL be a good choice? Are there any side effects that would be visible towards the end of the month?

Can fotofacial/ipl treatments lighten freckles?
(5 answers)
Or is there a better treatment for dark freckles?

Does IPL treat acne scars?
(6 answers)
Does IPL treat acne scars and is that the most effective way to treat acne scars?

Is Fotofacial/IPL safe for African Americans?
(7 answers)
I've heard that because of the risk of changes in pigmentation, IPL isn't safe for African Americans or other individuals with darker complexions. Is this true?

What is the difference between Broadband Light Photo Rejuvenation and IPL?
(6 answers)
Is there a difference between Broadband Light Photo Rejuvenation and IPL, or are they the same?

Does Fotofacial/IPL treatments cause cancer?
(12 answers)
Have studies been done to show whether IPL or other light-based skin rejuvenation procedures raise the likelihood of melanoma?

Will the dark brown spots that appear after Fotofacial/IPL treatments go away?
(11 answers)
I had my first fotofacial treatment last night and the brown spots are very dark and coming to the surface. What I was wondering is will these stay this way until more treatments are performed or will some of them slough off?

How can I treat naso labial lines?
(10 answers)
What is the best treatment or combination treatments for nasolabial facial folds? If you suggest facial fillers as one of the treatments, what one or combination of different fillers is best?

what fotofacial/ipl treatments work best for mouth lines?
(10 answers)
what works better for lines around the mouth- Genesis or IPL?

Can the IPL treatment cause damage to your skin?
(8 answers)
I had my first IPL treatment and have many red marks that still hurt some along my jaw line. I also had a few areas that swelled up, then the skin peeled leaving a scab. I have one that looks like a long scratch, and some say a scar.

What are some freckle therapy treatment options for Asians?
(4 answers)
I am an Asian. There is a piece of yellow and light brown spots on the left side of my face. I am not sure that is freckle or something else. Currently I am looking for a treatment to cure it, please assist me with more relevant info.

How many FotoFacial/IPL Treatments are required to see results?
(1 answer)
How many treatments are needed?

Fotofacial versus IPL, what's the difference?
(5 answers)
What are the differences between Fotofacial, Photofacial, and Intense Pulsed Light therapy, and what can these treatments be used for?