Can you do IPL and chemical peels together?

Chemical Peels and IPL Combined? What you need to know!

Actually, yes. Combining these two treatments is actually the best way to deal with sun damaged skin, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

A combination of treatment modalities is often required to yield better treatment results. Different skin types can also require a combination of treatments to provide safe, effective results. This is especially true when treating hyperpigmentation from melasma and sun spots.

What is Intense Pulsed Light and how does it work?

The Intense Pulsed Light works on the deeper layers, where the pigmentation exists, while the chemical peel speeds up the process of sloughing off the damaged skin (known as exfoliation, allowing new, fresh skin to replace it) and giving you a more even skin tone after treatment.

Skin treatments with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) are common and effective for lightening dark spots on the face, neck, chest, hands and arms. IPL works by blasting the pigment with strong waves of light to knock it free from the skin cells.

During the treatment process, it is desired to have what is called a “coffee grounds” appearance to the treated areas. This is the pigment that was once inside the skin cells that is now outside the skin cells.

Once the pigment is free-floating in the skin, your body’s immune system can easily remove the debris resulting in lighter pigment.

The “coffee grounds” may last 7-14 days depending on your body’s individual response and the areas treated.
Treatments can be done monthly, alternating between IPL and chemical peels.

IPL and Chemical peel together: a match made in heaven

There are three Allergan peels that we are very comfortable with recommending due to our experienc in using them with many patients over time. They are Illuminize, Vitalize and Rejuvenize peels. Each is designed to perform in a different way. These products are not for sale online, we provide them for you at the time of your appointment.

• Illuminize: Helps provide vibrant, radiant looking skin with minimal downtime. Appropriate for mild skin imperfections as determined by your physician.
• Vitalize: Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Addresses skin tone unevenness that can be caused by acne scarring or other pigmentary changes. Appropriate for mild to moderate skin imperfections as determined by your physician.
• Rejuvenize: Smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. See noticeable improvement after just one peel and compelling results after three to six peels. Appropriate for moderate to severe skin imperfections as determined by your physician.

After every office visit, we make sure that you have all the post care products and counseling you need for optimal results. There is no additional charge.

Post care (immediately after treatment) may include Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar and sunblock.

Our recommended long-term care products may include a non-hydroquinone skin brightening (Lytera) and sunblock with SPF 30+ (Total Defense + Repair).

IPL and Chemical Peel Questions:

Are there people who it’s NOT recommended for?

Persons with darker skin types or persons who have Hispanic, Mediterranean or Asian ancestry need to be more careful about which skin treatments are used on them. IPL alone may not be a safe choice for those persons as they have a greater risk of resultant hyperpigmentation. Persons of African descent are not candidates for IPL or chemical peels. Concomitant treatment with a non-hydroquinone topical cream, like Skin Medica’s Lytera 2.0, is often necessary for safe, effective treatment results in those individuals. The non-hydroquinone topical should be used consistently throughout the treatment course.

What is the total time frame for the treatment? (ie. the number of appointments over how many weeks/months) `

A treatment course over 6 months is recommended. It is important to be patient during your treatment process. The sun damage occurred over many years. Reversing the damage will take several months.

Can this be repeated annually?

Once desired results are achieved, maintenance treatments can be performed as needed using one or both modalities. Regardless of the treatment plan, it is of the utmost importance to continue to use sun protection and engage in sun avoidance. The sun will undo all of your hard work, time and money.

We hope that you’ve found this discussion to be informative and that it answered all of your questions. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact us using our handy contact form or by calling the office at (949) 477-9740 and we’ll be happy to get them answered for you.