IPL treatment for acne with Lumenis M22
IPL treatment for acne with Lumenis M22
IPL for acne: treat active inflammation with the Lumenis M22
Do red, inflamed pimples keep coming back? For active inflammatory acne, IPL can be used with the Lumenis M22 help to reduce inflammation and make the skin calmer to get.
I work with the specific acne filter of the M22. This filter combines two wavelength ranges: 400–600 nm and 800–1200 nm. This makes this treatment targeted at active acne and It differs from IPL for pigment spots, blood vessels, or hair removal.
Not every form of acne requires the same approach. That is why I look at the type of inflammation beforehand, your skin type, any pigment reactions and the skincare or medication you use. Sometimes IPL is a good addition to acne therapy; in other cases are cleansing, a peel or medical treatment more suitable.
Especially when red, inflamed pimples are prominent stand and new inflammations regularly develop. Does your acne consist mainly of blackheads or Clogged pores? Then I often opt for another treatment.
The price depends on the size of the treatment area. You can choose from S, M, and L. Further down you will find Sample photos to help you choose.
For which types of acne is IPL suitable?
At Medicadermis, IPL is primarily used for inflammatory acne: acne with red, inflamed pimples are in the foreground. For example, when there are regularly new Inflammation develops on the cheeks and chin or the forehead.
The skin can be sensitive and after an inflammation still show red or brown spots for some time. With IPL, we focus in this treatment primarily on the active inflammations.
When would I prefer to choose a different treatment?
Does your acne consist mainly of blackheads and Clogged pores? Then cleansing is, suitable skincare or a peel possibly more suitable.
In deep, painful inflammations, cystic acne or rapidly increasing scarring is an assessment by the general practitioner or dermatologist important. IPL does not replace a necessary medical treatment.
Read more about acne therapy at Medicadermis .
How does the M22 IPL acne treatment work?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Unlike a laser, IPL uses a wide light spectrum. With specific filters we determine which wavelengths reach the skin.
The acne filter of the Lumenis M22 combines two wavelength ranges: 400–600 nm and 800–1200 nm.
The shorter wavelength range is used, among other things, absorbed by porphyrins associated with Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium which is involved in the development of acne. Reactive oxygen compounds can be involved arise that damage the bacteria.
The longer wavelengths reach deeper skin structures. Possible effects on inflammatory processes and sebaceous glands are being investigated.
What is the difference compared to blue light therapy?
Blue light therapy typically uses LED light. The M22 emits short, powerful light pulses and combines two wavelength ranges. It is therefore a other technique, not simply a stronger form of blue light therapy.
How does an IPL treatment proceed and how many treatments are needed?
I will cleanse and assess your skin beforehand. Next, I apply a transparent gel. I turn on and treat the agreed area with the IPL handpiece of the Lumenis M22.
During a light pulse, you can a short feel a heat stimulus. The handpiece features contact cooling.
I adjust the settings to your skin type, the sensitivity, the treatment area and the skin's reaction. I use so not automatically with every client same settings.
How many treatments do I need?
IPL is typically used as a course of treatment deployed. In various studies with the specific M22 acne filter are for example, five treatments performed. The treatment intervals differed per study.
During the process, I assess whether fewer inflammations develop and how the skin recovers. Based on that we determine the next steps.
What is the recovery time and what aftercare is needed?
Immediately after the treatment, your skin can be warm, red, or somewhat sensitive. Usually, this decreases relatively quickly, but with sensitive skin can the comment remain visible longer.
Avoid the first 48 hours severe heating of the skin, such as sauna, intensive exercise and very hot showers.
Protect your skin daily with SPF 50 and avoid excessive exposure to UV. Preferably use the first 24 hours no make-up on the treated area.
Sometimes temporary pigment changes, scabs or a stronger skin reaction. Especially when your skin easily develops pigment, is careful Aftercare is important.
You will receive from me personally aftercare advice that aligns with your skin and the reaction to the treatment.
When is IPL not suitable?
An IPL treatment can be postponed or advised against in case among other things a recently tanned skin, active infections, a cold sore in the treatment area or certain photosensitive medication.
Also pregnancy, active skin conditions and an increased risk of abnormal scar formation can be a reason to untreatable.
Are you using isotretinoin, other acne medication or Highly effective skin products? Then always inform us in advance. I assess whether IPL on that is responsible at the moment.
In severe inflammatory acne, deep inflammations or impending scar formation can medical treatment via the general practitioner or a dermatologist may be needed.
IPL, acne therapy, or Roaccutane: what is the difference?
Not every form of acne requires for the same treatment. For blackheads and clogged pores the emphasis is often on cleaning out and appropriate skincare. In case of active inflammation, can IPL could be an additional option.
IPL can be used with suitable inflammatory acne are combined with acne therapy, peelings and home care. I vote the various treatments towards each other.
In severe acne, isotretinoin can, known under the brand name Roaccutane, be necessary. This treatment takes place under medical guidance due to possible side effects and risks. IPL is not an equivalent alternative to isotretinoin for severe acne.
And what if the acne has already disappeared?
Red or brown residual spots are not the same as deepened acne scars. For these skin problems can other treatments be more suitable, such as IPL with another filter, microneedling or ResurFX.
Read also: Red and brown spots after acne , Treating acne scars and Treating acne without immediately opting for Roaccutane .
Also check out our SkinPen microneedling and ResurFX treatment for acne scars .
Which treatment size and price should I choose?
The size of the treatment area depends not only on the number pimples, but especially from the way on which the active acne over your skin is spread.
Below you see three examples. The dotted lines give an impression of the treatment surface. The photos are illustrative; determine during the introductory meeting we know which area suits your skin.
S — small treatment area
A local cluster of inflammations
For example, a delimited area with red, inflamed pimples on a part of one cheek or the chin.
M — medium-sized treatment area
A larger part of one cheek
For example, when multiple active inflammations spread over the outside or the middle of one cheek.
L — large treatment area
Almost one entire cheek
For example, when the inflammations from the cheekbone towards the run along the jawline and a large continuous form area
The current price is displayed when you the desired selects product variant
Are you unsure about the right size? During a free introductory meeting we look at which treatment area and which treatment for suit your skin
Scientific substantiation
The specific dual-band acne filter of the Lumenis M22 has been investigated for mild to moderate acne. The available clinical studies show improvement, but include relatively small groups. The results therefore offer no guarantee for the effect with every client.
Knight JM (2019)
Combined 400–600 nm and 800–1200 nm Intense Pulsed Phototherapy or Facial Acne Vulgaris. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 18(11):1116–1122.
A prospective study with ten participants and five treatments with the M22 and the specific acne filter. View the publication .
Research into IPL with a new acne filter (2019)
Efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris with a novel filter. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 21(6):323–327.
A prospective study with 21 participants, involving five IPL treatments with the dual-band acne filter were performed. View the publication .
Research on dual-band IPL for acne (2021)
Efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light using a dual band filter for the treatment of facial acne vulgaris. Lasers in Medical Science.
A study with 23 participants and five treatment sessions with an interval of two weeks. View the publication .
Which treatment suits your acne?
Red inflammations, blackheads and subcutaneous pimples do not ask all for the same approach. That is why I assess your skin beforehand. and we discuss which treatment is meaningful.
If IPL is suitable, we look at the treatment area and a suitable treatment process. And when I think that a different approach suits better if it suits your skin, then discuss we those possibilities.
Not available
Personal guidance disclaimer
A Fair Use Policy applies to personal guidance, including video calling, whereby medicademis reserves the right to limit the number of contact moments at its own discretion in the event of excessive demand for support (i.e., a structurally higher number of contact requests than the average for our other clients), and to communicate this unilaterally before proceeding to do so. Naturally, this reservation does not apply should complications unexpectedly arise after the treatment.