Acne scars can be more than just a physical blemish. They can affect your self-esteem and confidence. You might feel frustrated and hopeless if you’ve tried countless creams, serums, and treatments without success. However, many people don’t know that acne scars can be treated with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) facials provided by their optometrist.
That’s right! IPL, primarily used by optometrists to relieve dry eye disease, can also be used as a safe, gentle, and effective treatment for acne scars.
What are Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Facials?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) facials, often called photofacials, use a broad light spectrum to target various skin issues. Unlike lasers that use a single wavelength, IPL employs multiple wavelengths to penetrate the skin and address different concerns simultaneously.
How IPL Works
IPL devices emit pulses of light that penetrate the skin without harming the surface. The light is absorbed by blood chromophores when treating vascular lesions or melanin chromophores when treating pigmented lesions. The light damages the chromophores so the body can naturally clear the lesion debris. This process helps in reducing redness, pigmentation, and scars.
Everyone who undergoes IPL is evaluated based on their skin type, condition, amount of melanin, and any other factors related to their skin’s history. This information calculates the specific wavelength and intensity of light that will be most effective for treating their skin.
Types of Issues IPL Treats
While IPL is known to treat dry eye, some studies have also shown the efficacy of IPL in treating acne scars. IPL can also treat:
- Wrinkles and loose skin
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Skin texture issues
- Rosacea
This versatility makes it a popular choice for skin rejuvenation.
Who Can Benefit from IPL
Typically, IPL suits people with lighter skin tones. Darker skin can absorb too much light and lead to complications. A consultation with a dermatologist will help determine if IPL is suitable for you.
How IPL Treats Acne Scars
The light pulses from IPL penetrate deep into the skin, targeting the pigment and blood vessels below the surface. This helps break down scar tissue. IPL also stimulates collagen production, which is essential for skin elasticity and healing. Increased collagen production helps reduce the appearance of scars.
By targeting blood vessels, IPL treatments effectively reduce the redness often associated with acne scars, giving your skin a more even tone and smoother appearance. People may also consider IPL to treat hyperpigmentation caused by acne.
Why IPL is a Great Acne Treatment
While there are both over-the-counter options and natural options to treat acne scars, IPL can offer some advantages. The most significant benefit is that the broad-spectrum light can treat several issues simultaneously, making it ideal for acne treatment, which must address inflammation, discoloration, scarring, and skin elasticity.
IPL treatment also has the advantages of being:
- Quick and Convenient, with sessions typically lasting between 20-30 minutes
- Noninvasive so that you can return to your daily activities almost immediately
- Relatively comfortable and painless with minimum recovery time
Many patients report visible improvements from IPL after just a few sessions. Skin appears clearer, scars are less noticeable, and the skin’s overall texture improves.
What Does Undertaking IPL Look Like?
However, if IPL sounds like a promising solution, it can be comforting to know that you can get started with an optometrist you’re already familiar with instead of looking for another professional.
If you are considered a good candidate, knowing what the treatment looks like can help reduce any anxiety you may have.
A handheld device will deliver light pulses to the targeted areas during the session. You may feel a slight stinging sensation, similar to the snap of a rubber band, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated.
After the treatment, you might experience some redness and swelling, but these side effects typically subside within a few hours to days. To ensure the best results, it’s important to follow any post-treatment care instructions provided by your doctor.
Some patients opt to use both IPL and radio frequency RF technology to enhance results. At Danville Optometric Group, we offer both OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS. OptiLIGHT by Lumenis is the first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management. OptiPLUS, also a Lumenis technology, builds upon the foundation with RF technology to address aesthetic concerns and skin health.
However, IPL treatment is not recommended if you:
- Have active acne
- Have severe scarring
- Have recently been severely sunburned
- Are susceptible to keloid scarring
Consultation and assessment are necessary to determine if IPL is the proper treatment for your skin type and the severity of your acne scars.
Alternative Treatments for Acne Scars
While IPL is effective, exploring other treatment options can help you make an informed decision. Other solutions include:
- Laser Resurfacing uses focused light to remove layers of skin to promote new skin growth
- Chemical Peels involve applying a solution to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and peel off, revealing smoother, less scarred skin underneath.
- Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving the appearance of scars.
Treating Acne Scars
At Danville Optometric Group, we pride ourselves on being able to advise you on suitable treatments for your eye and skin health. Our experienced team can help determine if IPL is a suitable option for you. Contact us today to see how we can help treat your eye and skin concerns.
