What is Acne Dual?
If you’re still struggling with acne breakouts and are interested in acne reduction, you’re not alone. Acne is among the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting up to 50 million people each year in the United States alone. Research shows that up to 55% of adults aged 20 to 40 suffer from low-grade acne and oily skin1. But no matter how common it is, acne is still a struggle to live with. The good news is you don’t have to anymore.
IPL Acne Treatment
With the right treatment for acne reduction, however, you can effectively target both the cause and visible symptoms of acne-related skin conditions like the above. Devices using IPL, or intense pulsed light, can be used for acne reduction.
Mary Scott Skincare’s acne treatments use dual lights that work to heal existing acne-related inflammation, while also destroying acne-causing bacteria to minimize future breakouts. Sometimes referred to as IPL photofacial for acne, IPL for acne produces noticeably smoother, healthier-looking skin that you’ll be happy to show off. Learn more about IPL aesthetic acne treatment with our FAQ.
Acne Treatment
Mary Scott Skincare use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with SmartPulse™ technology to treat both the underlying cause and the visible symptoms of acne. It uses a combination of blue and red light delivered simultaneously-the blue light destroys acne-causing bacteria, while the red light reduces existing acne-related inflammation to promote faster healing. At the same time, a real-time cooling system works on contact to keep your skin continuously protected from the heat.
Features
No downtime
Real People, Real Results.
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We also provide virtual consultation appointments for your skincare needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before the Treatment
The best candidate is someone who has acne and/or acne-related inflammation on the face or body and is seeking a treatment similar to acne light therapy.
For safety reasons, you may not be able to get this treatment if you have/are:
- Metal or other implants in the treatment area
- Current or history of cancer
- Pregnant or nursing
- Any diseases that can be stimulated by light (e.g. epilepsy)
- History of disease that can be stimulated by heat (e.g. herpes)
- Poorly controlled endocrine disorders (e.g. diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Any active condition in the treatment area (e.g. eczema, psoriasis, rash)
- History of skin disorders, keloids, unusual wound healing, or excessively dry and/or sensitive skin
- Any surgical procedures within the past 3 months
- A tattoo or permanent makeup in the treatment area
- Excessively tanned skin
Laser hair removal treatments can be done on darker skin tones, even tanned skin, using different settings, as there is a higher risk of discoloration (since darker skin has more pigment in it).
IPL hair removal treatments work best for light to medium skin tones. Although they may work on darker skin tones, there is an even higher risk of discoloration. It’s best to consult with the technician to see if the treatment is right for you.
For both types of treatments, the technician will perform a test spot and wait between 15 minutes to 48 hours, depending on your complexion, to assess your skin’s reaction. He/she would know best what treatment parameters are most appropriate to use for your skin type.
Laser hair removal treatments are fast, even on larger areas like the back or two full legs. It’s also ideal for treating multiple areas, like the bikini area and underarms.
For IPL hair removal, it depends on what part of the body you’re getting treated. If it’s a smaller area, it may only take as little as 15-30 minutes. A larger area, like two full legs, may take up to 60 minutes.
Treatments are usually done twice a week for a month. Make sure the treatments are scheduled 3-4 days apart.
Treatments are done 4-8 weeks apart for laser hair removal. For IPL hair removal, treatments are done 4-6 weeks apart for the face and 4-8 weeks apart for the body.
Make sure your skin is clean. Do not apply any lotions, creams, or makeup before your session, and stop using any products that might irritate your skin 2-3 days before. You should also avoid tanning. You may be advised to shave the area before your treatment. Remove all jewelry around the area being treated.
During the Treatment
One session usually lasts 15-20 minutes, depending on the area being treated.
The IPL treatment feels like a light snap or flick on the surface of the skin.
The applicator has a cooling feature built into it to make the treatment as comfortable as possible, but you might feel a bit of discomfort if you’re treating a more sensitive area, like the upper lip. If you find it too uncomfortable, let the operator know and they can adjust the treatment accordingly.
After the Treatment
Your skin can feel warm, like a sunburn, with some redness, but other than that, you really shouldn’t feel any different if you follow instructions for before and after your treatment.
It depends on the severity of your skin and how well you take care of your skin after your treatment. We recommend a touch-up session twice a month, then monthly. Once the acne starts clearing up, you can then increase the time between maintenance treatments depending on how your skin responds to the treatment.
There is no downtime. You can return to your daily schedule immediately after your treatment.
Avoid tanning for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your treatment, and wear sunscreen (at least SPF 30). You should also avoid hot baths, massages, or any treatment that requires direct contact with the skin for the first 2 days after your treatment. If you notice any blisters or scabbing, treat it with a prescribed antibiotic cream—always consult with your treatment provider first. You can go back to gentle washing and using gentle, non-irritating products immediately afterward.
Yes, you can apply makeup immediately after your treatment, but make sure you put on sunscreen first.