Brown Spots After IPL (Asian w/ Light Skin)

I just did IPL for sun spots today on a whim at my derm's office. I am Asian with light skin and had sun spots most noticeably on my cheeks from years of swim team (and no sunscreen). I found this site researching the after IPL treatment and care and then found out all these scary after effects! I'm SO worried now! I trust my derm is a great doctor, but I'm worried about the many more brown spots that have shown themselves where they weren't visible before. Then I'm scared by the comments that 1st treatment went well, then 2nd or 3rd left scarring, bruising, fat loss, and/or ruined skin texture. Are there any specific factors that may cause these bad side effects? I'm tempted to just stop after this one treatment but now worried that there are more spots than before? ~ Freaked and Needs Assurance

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by skinscared

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IPL Results to be Expected...

It sound like you had a good first treatment with IPL. The brown spots are supposed to darken then flake off. If in experienced hands, your doctor can dramatically reduce your sun damaged age spots and have you looking great in no time! Multiple treatments are usually recommended for optimal results. I like to recommend 2 to 4 weeks apart for treatments. Hope this help. Dr. Grant Stevens

Darkening of pigmented spots after IPL treatment

That is what is supposed to happen. Darkening of pigmented spots after IPL treatment is the desired response. After this, the pigment breaks up and is shed from the skin. Where there is an IPL burn, usually it is in the shape of the handpiece that contacts the skin, not just individual spots. And also, I am not sure who started the whole "fat loss after IPL" myth, but that is what it is. Fat is not involved in IPL treatments at all. And last but not... more

It us normal to see more brown spots appear after IPL

It sounds like you are having a normal response to IPL. Some brown spots will appear or come to the surface after IPL. They should all peel off within 7-10 days. You will have to wait and see what your results are before you decide if another treatment is needed. Some people get by with just one treatment. I would go back to your dermatologist and let them help you decide if another treatment is needed.

Brown spots after IPL

IPL treatments are generally safe. It depends on the settings that were used for you skin. If you are fair skin, then you should have a better outcome than darker skin patients. Before you schedule your next treatment, see what results you get with this one. It is not unusual for skin to get darker before becoming lighter.