IPL treatment

What it is

Specialized treatments for acne, including doctor consultation, HydraFacial customized for acne, laser, LED light, and scar treatment. Often a combination of treatments is required for best results.

Treatment Protocol

HydraFacial for Acne:

• Every 2-4 weeks initially (6-8 treatments)
• Then monthly maintenance

Laser for Acne:

• 3 treatments
• Interval: 2-4 weeks
• Maintenance: Monthly or as needed
• 40-60% reduction in active acne

LED Low Level Laser:

• 8-12 treatments
• 2-3x per week initially
• Blue LED 405-420nm (antibacterial)

Acne Scar Treatment:

• Fractional Laser: 3-5 treatments (30-70% improvement)
• Microneedling: 4-6 treatments
• Combination with PRP/mesotherapy for best results

Procedure

HydraFacial Acne:

1. Deep Cleansing
2. Salicylic Acid Serums
3. Vacuum Extraction
4. Blue LED Light (Antibacterial)
5. Soothing Mask

Laser/LED:

1. Cleansing
2. Protective Goggles
3. Blue/Red Light Treatment
4. Kills P. acnes bacteria
5. Reduces Inflammation
6. Reduces Sebum Production

Duration

30-60 minutes depending on treatment

Pain Level

• HydraFacial: No pain
• LED/Laser: No pain, mild heat
• Extraction: Uncomfortable (not painful)

Downtime

• HydraFacial: No downtime
• LED/Laser: No downtime, possible slight redness (1-2 hours)
• Purging possible first 1-2 weeks (normal)

Healing Time

First 1-2 weeks:

• Possible purging (acne breakouts) - NORMAL!
• This is the effect of the treatment - impurities appear

Week 2-4:

• Purging subsides
• Skin begins to balance

Week 4-8:

• Noticeable improvement in acne
• Fewer breakouts

Week 8-12:

• Significant improvement in most
• Maintenance begins

Long-term:

• Continued improvement with maintenance
• Home care critical

Side Effects

Common:

• Purging (acne breakouts) first 1-2 weeks
• Mild redness
• Dryness

Rare:

• Irritation
• Hyperpigmentation when picking

Aftercare

Critical for results:

• DO NOT pick or squeeze - causes scarring and makes it worse
• Daily skin care routine (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide)
• SPF daily (acne products make the skin photosensitive)
• Gentle cleansing 2x daily
• No heavy makeup
• Wash pillowcases often

Lifestyle:

• Drink plenty of water
• Diet (reduce dairy and sugar for some)
• Stress management
• Enough sleep

Who is this for

• Mild to moderate acne
• Inflammatory acne
• Comedonal acne (whiteheads/blackheads)
• Post-acne scars
• Those who are committed to a course of treatment

Who is this not for

• Very severe cystic acne (requires medical treatment first)
• Those who cannot follow the course of treatment
• Unrealistic expectations of rapid improvement

Important Information

Realistic Expectations:

• Acne takes time to treat
• 8-12 weeks before noticeable improvement
• Maintenance required
• Combination of treatments often best
• Medical treatment (Roaccutane, antibiotics) may be necessary for severe acne

Lifestyle is critical:

• Skin care routine essential
• Diet can affect
• Stress management
• DO NOT pick/squeeze - damages and causes scars

Contraindications

• Roaccutane use (requires special adjustments)
• Pregnancy (for certain treatments)
• Active herpes
• Sunburn

Warning Signs

Contact if:

• Worsening of acne after 4 weeks
• Signs of infection
• Severe pain
• Unexpected skin reactions

Individual Variations

• Some see improvement in 4-6 weeks
• Others need 12+ weeks
• Purging varies (some none, others a lot)
• Maintenance varies individually
• Diet affects some more than others

Maintenance

After initial treatment:

• HydraFacial: Monthly
• LED/Laser: As needed or monthly
• Home care daily (salicylic acid, retinol, benzoyl peroxide)
• SPF daily
• Combination with medical treatment as needed