Quick question guys,

I just got back from my dermatologist and he recommended treating my neck redness with IPL rather than Vbeam. His reasoning was because IPL had a larger concentration in regard to surface area while Vbeam was much more narrow. However, I had him Vbeam one spot on my neck and that circle is completely white. Is IPL successful intreating neck redness or should I insist on Vbeam?

Thanks!

If you're questioning his judgment you should probably seek a 2nd opinion from another dermatologist.

read the 4th paragraph: Intense pulsed light - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No, I trust his judgment, but I read on here of patients constantly asserting that IPL does nothing,and if it does, it is temporary. I'm just lost, I dont have all this money to throw around testing solutions

did you mention your concern to him--what others have told you?

Did the derm tell you what is causing your neck redness?

First off, thank you guys so much for the help so far. This is causing me a great deal of anxiety and I appreciate all your help. Anne, he did not give me a cause, its definitely not rosacea, even though I had that treated on my face (very mild ). I do find it funny how he vbeamed one spot on my neck and that spot is white while everything else is red. Should I try the IPL and if no success occurs move on the Vbeam?

Missliss-- I am going to call him tomorrow and express my concerns, thanks for the advice

I have had two PDL treatments and nil IPL treatments so I can only speak for the former.

I read up a lot on laser treatment before getting PDL and articles consistantly said that PDL is the laser of choice for redness.

My skin has a naturally high colour which has compounded the damaged done by KPAF. I ask the derm if these 'areas undamaged by KPAF would be helped also. His reply was 'that if it is red PDL will target it'.

Like you I know PDL works but it seems to bruise more than IPL. At the worse IPL will do nothing and you will have wasted money. PDL has proven to work for you already however.

I would be tempted to get a second opinion not only to confirm the best treatment but possibly more importantly to get a diagnosis on what is actually going on with your neck. Has it always been red or did it suddenly go red? After treatment will the redness return? Maybe another derm can give you answers to these questions and confirm what is the best treatment for you.

Maybe it is a female thing but when I am not certain which direction to head in I go with my gut instinct. Wishing you all the best in trying to sort out the best treatment for your condition.

go with PDL tell him to use the stacking method (2 pulses per area treated instead of just 1 and move to the next area) use 10mm size. IPL is great for bumps, but PDL is better for redness. Ive had both 3 IPL for hair removal and bumps on cheeks, then 2 PDL for redness 2nd treatment did the stacking method , going back again for 3rd, and if need a 4th. IPL can make u blister (burn) but goes away in about 10 days, PDL does not bruise bad if setting is mild. yor neck might be red from Poiklederma of Civatte which responds to laser treatments.
Poikiloderma of civatte. DermNet NZ. there is also a prescription u can get from ur derm called Lidocaine Prilocaine cream 2.5%, it is a numbing cream that u put on and hour or two before laser treaments and it works good it takes the edge off from the sting and zap of IPL or PDL.

derms should be able to diagnose this, mention it to him or find a new derm , its more common than KPRF. do u live down south in USA ?

tram, may i ask if you have shaving irritation? many of my male patients get small red bumps, that look much like pimples on their neck. if that is the case, you can be completely cured by a hair removal laser. the bumps are caused by infection by ingrown hair.
If you are in doubt, feel free to send me pics of your neck. I am a medical doctor, so i know what im talking about.
kind regards

Thank you very much everyone,

RCM I am positive it is not shaving redness, I have looked into that. It is a slight redness on the upper neck. There are two white spots that exist thanks to PDL Vbeam. I think I'm going to try and receive Vbeam on my neck if he will do it.

I've had two IPL treatments with no improvement.

Thanks, I'll insist on Vbeam

Be careful with IPL. I had 4 treatments done, and was told at worst it wouldn't help. Not true. It didn't help AND it left about 4 permanent redder lines through my already red cheek. I would definitely not recommend IPL. The lines didn't show until a few weeks after my 4th treatment, which caused quite a bit of redness compared to the first 3. They are still there several months later. Be really careful with lasers and IPL because while people claim that IPL is non effective at worse, I know from experience that this is definitely not the case. I know that we are willing to try almost anything that might help, but the risks of these potential treatment making things worse are still there.

Thank you so much redannoyed. I will definitely keep your input in mind.