IPL / Photofacial

Q: Can you get IPL/ Photofacial treatment and Restylane or Juvederm treatment in the same area? What happens?

A: If patients are treated with caution, both treatments can be done with great results.

I frequently have patients who want more than one treatment during an office visit. My recommendation is to have IPL performed first, and then skin fillers (e.g., Restylane, Juvederm). The main reason is that the fillers may move out of place if there’s any treatment after injection that can manipulate the skin. Also, there’s already some skin swelling after fillers have been injected - heating up the skin more just increases inflammation and short term discomfort.

What about fillers already injected into the skin? I normally advise waiting at least 7 days before performing IPL or laser-based procedures. There’s less likelihood of migration of the filler as time goes on. I have seen no problems when IPL is performed 7 or more days after a filler injection. I’ve noticed great results with these guidelines.

I usually recommend similar guidelines for Botox. IPL or laser treatment immediately after Botox could potentially cause undesirable migration of the Botox injection. However, Botox after IPL has always been well tolerated in my office.

Remember - It’s Your Face! For best results, get treated by an experienced medical doctor who treats patients him- or herself.