Laser followed by IPL

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

I am currently getting laser hair removal. Unrelated to this, I have had IPL on my face in order to treat broken capillaries and pigmentation (freckles).

I would now like to get IPL (or laser) in order to treat pigmentation on some of the areas where I am getting laser hair removal.

Are there likely to be any issues getting laser hair removal and then somepoint between treatments (like the 4 or 5 week mark), getting IPL or laser in order to treat the pigmentation?

I currently travel to another city in order to get laser hair removal and would perfer to get IPL/laser for the pigmentation in the this same city also - the issue here is that I will only be in this other city for 2 - 3 days. I imagine spacing both treatments this close together may not be ideal.

Thoughts?

#2

Can certain lasers really affect hyperpigmentation caused by hair reduction lasers? I’m truly curious about this and would like to hear from consumers that have had positive results.

It is wise to wait until AFTER you have completed your hair reduction program before you start your hyperpigmentation abatement program.

#3

It can but it goes away in time. It depends on the skin type. A darker complexion will usually have more hyperpigmentation. The real problem, to my thinking, is the pattern of the discoloration and how it is spread on the skin surface. If it is in a straight line or two up the arm or leg it becomes very obvious. If it is on the face on the upper lip it will look like a mustache from a distance for a while. The trick is to know the patient and spread the work around and avoid working in a small area.

#4

It depends on the skin of the patient. If they make these dots easily they probably will do it with lasers or any type of device used. All of them depend on heat. Electrolysis only treats on small dot of skin at a time. Lasers have to make the same amount of heat on a large area. There is no way to deliver a small dot of light with a laser. They have to treat a larger area than what is needed. Electrolysis is more exact by treating only a single hair at a time. It may be slower but it is permanent.

#5

I am not sure what you mean by the above. The pigmentation I want to treat is not hyper-pigmentation caused by laser - it is merely your standard run of the mill pigmentation (freckles) :).

I would prefer to wait until finishing laser hair removal but as I plan to move soon after finishing, I will probably not have the time to wait and hence, would like to perform both alongside one another.

#6

Laser for hair reduction can cause hyperpigmentation, but you are saying it is unrelated to your freckles. Freckles are pretty deep, so I have my doubts about anything removing them well, but it may help a little. I would think you would need to repeat this periodically. I have to wonder about doing too much light-based treatments on the face as far as long term effects. These are my internal cautions and I have no scientific or anecdotal basis to back up my inner voice of caution.

This is a question you need to ask your laser specialist. Different places can vary in some of their laser protocols.

#7

Laser hair removal treatments may actually lighten your freckles.

But keep in mind that if you are prone to freckles, regardless of how you get rid of the freckles, you will need to use sunscreen religiously or they will come back.

#8

Choice,

Do you know the names of laser’s that are helpful for freckle reduction? How many treatments does one need?

Thanks.

#9

For just freckle removal, IPL’s and Q-switched alexandrites and Q-switched Nd:YAGS are probably the most common light therapies. I’ve had IPL, GentleLASE and GentleYAG. I personally would not pay for laser or IPL freckle removal. (Lentigines, aka - age spots, yes worth the $ to me. I’m more vain about my age spots than my freckles.) A few moments on a sunny day without sunblock and my freckles reappear.

Retin A works, but takes a few months to notice. Bleaching agents may work for some. I’ve never tried Obagi products, but I have seen wonderful results in a few clients who confessed to using it. Laser resurfacing is a very extreme method to remove freckles.

Since I don’t perform these treatments, I can only speak for myself. One treatment gets rid of my freckles. But as I said, they do come back if I get the least amount of sun. For my age spots, they were deeper. A few were gone after one treatment, but others have taken 3-5 treatments. I’m beginning to see one age spot that was treated once about 5 years ago coming back.

#10

Thanks for the information, Choice. Very helpful.

Dee