Hey, I read here from time to time and finally got to see a cosmetic specialist. I had my first consultation about a month ago and was told that IPL would have more sucess than PDL (he says that it's "outdated"). A few weeks later I had my first treatment (it feels like a sodering gun is going off on your face, so expect to have a flushing feeling). Got home side effects were pretty obvious redness, swelling, some scabbing, and a little discomcort. It seemed to have some effect for the first treatment (flushing didn't occur as much and some redness did dissipate.) It cost about $450 per treatment (depending on the doctors "status" etc) and I am going for the next treatment in another 3 weeks. Good luck.

I forgot to add that the doctor said that the results would not be noticeable until the third treatment (he wants to do 5 treatments). He also said that it is a on going process because it is a chronic disease. Also, that the results will be temporary and it will have to be done every year or so.

Interesting comment about PDL treatment.

Did the Dr tell you why you would need retreatment every year?

Just trying to get a grip on what the use of lasers on KPRF, actually does
- does it zap the KP bumps and allow the hair follicules to return to normal for a time or
- does it actually attack the underlying redness that perhaps KPRF has caused by damaging the blood vessels in the skin?

I have had PDL twice for redness caused by ulerythema ophryogenes and atrophoderma vermiculata and the results have been permanent. However I have never found anything in writing to say what actually happens to the skin with KPRF. If the blood vessels are damaged PDL would definately help witht he colour. In UO and AV it is shown that definate damage occurs to the blood vessels.

During my teens and twenties I also had bad KPRF - the treatment offered then was to paint your face with liquid nitrogen and thus remove the top layer of the skin. I had this done several times and found that my skin was good following the treatment but then the red bumps returned.

Anyones thoughts or comments welcome

Well since it's a chronic disease the redness will come back (if blood vessels never regenerated then we'd be dead). I have no KP bumps (only had them on my arms, but they disappeared by the age of 15) just the redness, but remember there is no permanent cure for the KP it's just a temporary effect so the bumps will be bound to come back.

jrice, would it be possible if you could post up some pictures? i'm curious =]

In a couple days I could, but I don't keep pictures of the KPRF on hand.

I had 7 PDL treatments done a month apart for 7 months, with GREAT improvment of the redness nearly 95%. but I was also having IPL hair removal treatments done in between to remove the hair only on my cheeks, and since the IPL treatments the bumps have not returned nor will they ever be able to. kill the hair that KP is affecting and u kill the KP that produces the bumps around the hair.
for males only, since the hair growth on the face in the beard area (mainly just the cheeks where kprf affects) is more course and dense then a womans peach fuzz, constant shaving of the beard irritates and worsens KPRF for males, thats why I think when males go from having kprf at 13 to become men by 16-18 the KPRF looks worse as they get older from having to shave over the kp bumps and resulting in KPRF due to shaving, also every time u shave u remove a small fine layer of skin which also probably aggravates the conditon. since my IPL hair removal treatmnent Im proud to say no more KPRF or KP bumps and way less redness, I dont have to shave my cheeks any more from my side burns down to my cheek bone, only have to shave around my mouth and chin and under neck. my cheeks are stubble free and as smooth as a 10 year old's cheeks.

i am currently being treated for facial redness with ipl and combined led. I go once a month and have my fourth treatment next week. I have seen at least a 50% improvement after 3 treatments. The only downside is that it costs $1400 a session and i have to go for 7 sessions. The ipl only causes mild redness for about two hours after treatment, after that your face is fine with no bruising.