What is an alternative to an IPL treatment that lasts longer than a year?

It says that IPL treamtments will last only a year? However, I can not afford to redo this treatment every year. I have sun damage and need a more permanent option.

Answers from doctors (4)


More About Doctor Allure Medical

Published on Dec 10, 2018

It is not that IPL lasts a year as much as it is that sun damage will continue. If your skin was better after IPL, and you somehow avoided light, it would last for years. On the flip side, using daily sunblock (even when indoors) as well as a glycolic acid moisturizer, topical vitamin C and other skin care, you will get the best long-term results.

There are more aggressive treatments that do different things than IPL, but none can be done as a stand-alone, permanent option. There is preventative care needed for your skin.

Answered by Allure Medical (View Profile)

It is not that IPL lasts a year as much as it is that sun damage will continue. If your skin was better after IPL, and you somehow avoided light, it would last for years. On the flip side, using daily sunblock (even when indoors) as well as a glycolic acid moisturizer, topical vitamin C and other skin care, you will get the best long-term results.

There are more aggressive treatments that do different things than IPL, but none can be done as a stand-alone, permanent option. There is preventative care needed for your skin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Esta Kronberg, M.D.

Published on Aug 08, 2010

To maintain your IPL treatments you can use a topical retinoid or glycolic acid lotion every day. Also you need to wear sunscreen every day. This will greatly improve your long term maintenance of your IPL treatments.

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Answered by Esta Kronberg, M.D.

To maintain your IPL treatments you can use a topical retinoid or glycolic acid lotion every day. Also you need to wear sunscreen every day. This will greatly improve your long term maintenance of your IPL treatments.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Rejuve

Published on Aug 07, 2010

There is no available treatment that would last longer and be more cost effective. The best thing you can do is to avoid the sun as much as possible. Cover yourself with a hat when outdoors. Apply a broadspectrum sunscreen with at SPF 30 or higher. You can you use some products that can lighten the spots on a daily basis to prevent a quicker reoccurrence such as Vitamin C, Kojic Acid.

Answered by Rejuve (View Profile)

There is no available treatment that would last longer and be more cost effective. The best thing you can do is to avoid the sun as much as possible. Cover yourself with a hat when outdoors. Apply a broadspectrum sunscreen with at SPF 30 or higher. You can you use some products that can lighten the spots on a daily basis to prevent a quicker reoccurrence such as Vitamin C, Kojic Acid.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Aug 06, 2010

The reason we offer q-switched laser treatments and do not offer IPL treatments are exactly because q-switched lasers can permanently remove sun damage. As an illustration of this, q-switched lasers can also remove birthmarks and tattoos, which IPLs cannot treat. We believe your hard earned dollars are much better invested in q-switched lasers for
sun damage.

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Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

The reason we offer q-switched laser treatments and do not offer IPL treatments are exactly because q-switched lasers can permanently remove sun damage. As an illustration of this, q-switched lasers can also remove birthmarks and tattoos, which IPLs cannot treat. We believe your hard earned dollars are much better invested in q-switched lasers for
sun damage.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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