How to prepare for IPL treatment

IPL treatment for rosacea is now increasingly common and results can be very good.

But getting the most from any course of IPL or Intense Pulsed Light therapy needs careful planning.

IPL can be quite expensive and if carried out by untrained clinicians IPL can also be a risky procedure.  So if you’re considering IPL treatment for your rosacea – prepare yourself beforehand.

Outcomes from any medical procedure will be better if you know what to expect.

Here’s a checklist of things to bear in mind:

There’s no cure for rosacea -dramatic, long lasting results can occur with these treatments, but there is no complete cure for rosacea.

You will have to continue to manage your rosacea carefully through adjustments in your lifestyle and the use of good rosacea skin care.

The symptoms of rosacea could remain after treatment and you may need more IPL treatment at a later date.

You may not be suitable for treatment – some conditions may make you an unsuitable candidate for IPL therapy. If you have a blood clotting disorder, a tendency towards keloid scarring, or insulin-dependent diabetes you may have an increased risk of infection and less rapid healing after treatment. You need to consult with your doctor and take advice on whether IPL therapy is the best option to treat your rosacea.

Pale skin gives best results – light and laser therapy work best for rosacea sufferers with pale skin. If you have a sun tan – you need to wait until your skin returns to it’s normal color before going ahead with the treatment.

Don’t do it if you’re pregnant – effects of IPL treatment on the pregnancy are unknown and it’s safer to avoid all risks.

Be realistic about results – IPL may not work for you. Most patients see improvement quickly, but rosacea is as individual as you are and nothing is guaranteed. Skin type, skin color and condition, general lifestyle – all have a bearing on how successful the treatment will be. A specialist dermatologist can help you to determine if IPL is likely to work for your rosacea.

Be careful about sun damage – after IPL treatment, your skin will be extremely vulnerable to UV light and you need to wear a high factor sunscreen at all times and keep out of the sun as much as possible.

Find a doctor with IPL experience – you need someone who has experience with IPL treatment for rosacea. Your dermatologist should be able to recommend the right doctor.

Do your due diligence – take time to understand what IPL treatment entails. Visit the office where your IPL treatment will be done and find out exactly what to expect. If you’re fully prepared and get involved in after care management of your rosacea – results will be better.

And the really good news is that laser and IPL treatments for rosacea are generally very effective. Take time to choose your Doctor and to prepare yourself and the results of your rosacea treatment should be well worth it.

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