Dr. Nase - HELP!!! Post IPL flush - damaging???

[tobanonymous]

Help! I had a series of two treatments with Dr. Darm and I know you're supposed to avoid triggers after the treatment, but the night after my second treatment, I got stressed out about something and had the worst flush I ever had. Did I just ruin all my IPL and make things worse??? I iced it and got it to cool down, but now I have red blotches all over my cheeks. Is this normal or OK?

[drnase]

Help! I had a series of two treatments with Dr. Darm and I know you're supposed to avoid triggers after the treatment, but the night after my second treatment, I got stressed out about something and had the worst flush I ever had. Did I just ruin all my IPL and make things worse??? I iced it and got it to cool down, but now I have red blotches all over my cheeks. Is this normal or OK?

Let me give this a shot, but certainly follow up with your doctor.

If it happened the night after a treatment, then vessels that have been treated properly have not had a chance to drop out of the network yet. This takes several days at least. The angiogenic stimuli is theoretically not geared up yet because it doesnt see the need for a new network, so, I doubt you did any harm at all. Vessels that are dropping out, dying and being absorbed can still spontaneously open up before they go under.

The main concerns of the experts in this area is that once the vessels start growing back (days 5,6,7 etc.) that you dont repeatedly go out and cause massive flushing attacks. So, I would not worry about one flushing attack this early on. See if your doctor will recommend anything to take to help such as clarithromycin or clonidine, etc.

The point is also mute because even if you did do something to increase vessel regrowth, you will most likely go in for a third treatment to continue the series of treatments and you can address the new vessels at this session. But, also make your physician aware of your last response so that he has you equipped with something to take orally or a mask to soothe you topically, etc.

During all my treatments I had a few days on and off where my flushing was pretty intense, but I just tried to stop it as quickly as possible and turn the AC on and watch some movies. Not that you need to be a recluse, but the microvascular physiology of a reforming vascular network is well documented and one should take some precautions to limit the flushing....... but not become a recluse.

Keep us posted. Keep cool. Will your vessels to constrict.

[SpencerK]

Hi Dr Nase,

So when do the actual vessels actual stop growing back, and one can resume the normal activities (running, s*x !!, weight training). It has been 9 days since my first IPL, and id love to get upstairs and try and get rid of the extra pounds of relaxation I’ve put on.... It's just I dont wanna ruin any of the great work that my intial IPL has done...

Thx indeedy !

Also (this is to anyone that knows the answer) if a person was to have IPL treatment, but 5 days later this person was going to be in a position (occasion) where he was likely to blush/flush. Would it be recommended to?

a) Cancel the IPL treatment and have it at a time when there will be no forthcoming blushing/flushing.

b) Get a prescription of Clarithromycin to aid in the destruction of the unwanted reforming blood vessels - and try not to blush and flush when at this occasion...


Sorry if I hijacked the original post, but maybe some of these points may helpful to you..

Thanks for any and all comment...

Spence.

[adyus]

Hello, Spence! I'd say
-a) Cancel the IPL treatment and have it at a time when there will be no forthcoming blushing/flushing.
-and half of b) Get a prescription of Clarithromycin to aid in the destruction of the unwanted reforming blood vessels

Best,

Adrian

[tobanonymous]

Thanks folks for the advice! One last question - does anyone get dryness and peeling after a treatment? I'm having a big problem with that now.

Thanks!
A

[drnase]

Thanks folks for the advice! One last question - does anyone get dryness and peeling after a treatment? I'm having a big problem with that now.

Thanks!
A

Yep, thats a common transient side effect. Just a little too much heat to the surface of the skin. Hard to find a moisturizer that works during this time period.

[RachelRose]

Hard to find a moisturizer that works during this time period.

I have had really good results with a gel that I apply (thin layer) twice a day and follow with my regular moisterizer for about the first 5 days after IPL. It is called Phyto Corrective Gel by SkinCeuticals. About $45 USD.

I was scared off this stuff at first because there is a fragrance (way down on the list of ingredients) but the IPL nurse said I could return it if I had a reaction and I had no reaction. It was only soothing and got rid of the dry flakys. Also, some people suggest Aloe Vera, which is much cheaper of course. Of course, no way to know if my gel would work for anyone else and it is pricey.

[tobanonymous]

I had my 2nd and last scheduled IPL on Wednesday and it's now Saturday and I'm really easily flushed. Stuff that didn't flush me before IPL flushes me now. Did I make it worse??? I'm worried about day 5 and onward because I don't want new vessels, making my mild rosacea progress. Is it too late for clarithramycin? Is doxycyclene just as good? I don't want to get a yeast infection. I have a scrip for clonodine, but I don't want to be dependent on it and am worried about side effects. How long after IPL to you have to avoid flusing? How can you avoid flushing when the treatment made you more sensitive?

[SpencerK]

How long after IPL to you have to avoid flusing? How can you avoid flushing when the treatment made you more sensitive?

Yeah, indeed. It's has been 10 days since my last IPL, I made the mistake of going out yesterday in town. Bad mistake, I flushed like I had never flushed before. I could not control it in anyway.

I'm sick of this f^&*king thing, its seems now my face is as red as it was 11 days ago before the IPL. So I would say "try" and stay flush free for about 2 weeks after IPL - Although, im not to sure. Maybe someone else will jump in with more experianace.

[PeaceFroggy]

I also experienced a lot of "I look as bad now as I did before my first IPL" thoughts on bad days during the initial weeks of my first treatments but things have gotten much, much better. My advice from experience is try to be patient. Things get better.