Is there a link between Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL) and fat loss?

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?

Answers from doctors (2)


Rejuve

Published on Feb 18, 2010

No this is not true. IPL is not even strong enough to penetrate through the skin. IPL will not cause any fat atrophy.

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Answered by Rejuve

No this is not true. IPL is not even strong enough to penetrate through the skin. IPL will not cause any fat atrophy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Feb 17, 2010

In theory, the opposite should happen. IPL treatments cause a thermal injury, which is designed to shock the skin into producing new collagen and elastin, the building blocks for the skin. While the fatty layer is separate and below the dermis (where collagen and elastin reside), we have not heard of nor seen any evidence that associates fat loss with IPL or laser treatments. Finally, the depth of penetration for lasers and IPL treatments is very shallow compared to the fatty layer of the skin. This is another reason why any link seems implausible.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/2507_1424468866.jpg
Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

In theory, the opposite should happen. IPL treatments cause a thermal injury, which is designed to shock the skin into producing new collagen and elastin, the building blocks for the skin. While the fatty layer is separate and below the dermis (where collagen and elastin reside), we have not heard of nor seen any evidence that associates fat loss with IPL or laser treatments. Finally, the depth of penetration for lasers and IPL treatments is very shallow compared to the fatty layer of the skin. This is another reason why any link seems implausible.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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