Why is it that IPL treatments have to be 3-6 weeks apart?

Is there a reason you have to wait between IPL treatments?

Answers from doctors (4)


St. Louis Laser Liposuction Center

Published on Jun 20, 2010

There are multiple reasons. First, the skin needs to heal and recover from each treatment. Second, the is some exfoliation that occurs after treatment and it is necessary to wait for this to occur before the next treatment; this takes at least two weeks to occur. Finally, the IPL settings are a progression, where subsequent treatments are treating less but deeper targets. Higher power settings can be used safely as the treatments progress. Trust qualified providers to have a regimen that maximizes the results with safety.

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Answered by St. Louis Laser Liposuction Center

There are multiple reasons. First, the skin needs to heal and recover from each treatment. Second, the is some exfoliation that occurs after treatment and it is necessary to wait for this to occur before the next treatment; this takes at least two weeks to occur. Finally, the IPL settings are a progression, where subsequent treatments are treating less but deeper targets. Higher power settings can be used safely as the treatments progress. Trust qualified providers to have a regimen that maximizes the results with safety.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Greenwich Medical Skincare and Laser Spa

Published on Apr 20, 2010

The minimum amount of time between IPL treatments is usually 3 weeks. This allows "damaged pigmented" lesions to absorb completely. Initially the sunspots turn darker because of the heat generated from the laser. The body sees this damaged, darkened pigment as debris and needs to be removed. This removal process can fully take up to 3 weeks.

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Answered by Greenwich Medical Skincare and Laser Spa

The minimum amount of time between IPL treatments is usually 3 weeks. This allows "damaged pigmented" lesions to absorb completely. Initially the sunspots turn darker because of the heat generated from the laser. The body sees this damaged, darkened pigment as debris and needs to be removed. This removal process can fully take up to 3 weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Rejuve

Published on Apr 19, 2010

The reason you want to wait is because you want the sun spots to flake off so that it doesn't interfere with laser heating the remaining pigments. I normally just wait 2 weeks between treatments. I don't think it is necessary to wait more than 3 wks.

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Answered by Rejuve

The reason you want to wait is because you want the sun spots to flake off so that it doesn't interfere with laser heating the remaining pigments. I normally just wait 2 weeks between treatments. I don't think it is necessary to wait more than 3 wks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Apr 19, 2010

Typically laser and IPL treatments cause a thermal injury to the skin. This injury takes time to heal properly and thus there is always a delay between treatments. The analogy we make to explain this to our patients involves working out at the gym. If you work out at the gym, you actually tear the muscles, which causes them to heal. But this healing takes several days before it is completed and it does not make sense to go back and work out these same muscles before the healing has occurred. It is the same concept for laser skin care treatments.

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Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

Typically laser and IPL treatments cause a thermal injury to the skin. This injury takes time to heal properly and thus there is always a delay between treatments. The analogy we make to explain this to our patients involves working out at the gym. If you work out at the gym, you actually tear the muscles, which causes them to heal. But this healing takes several days before it is completed and it does not make sense to go back and work out these same muscles before the healing has occurred. It is the same concept for laser skin care treatments.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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