3 Days Post IPL: Freckles Are More and Darker - Is This Normal?

asked 10 months ago by mprattfree in Meridian, ID
Latest answer by Jenny O. Sobera, MD
Question viewed 1,559 times
Tags: female, 3 days post-op, amount, darkening, freckles, normal

5 answers to 3 Days Post IPL: Freckles Are More and Darker - Is This Normal?

Freckles darker after IPL

Yes, this is the response you want to see with IPL treatment, a disruption of the melanin containing cells, the melanocyctes. It appears almost like a small scab and flakes off with in a few days. Your doctor should of advised you regarding this!

John H. Hunts MD, PhD
Eugene Oculoplastic Surgeon

Yes darker freckles are normal after an IPL procedure.

When treating pigmented lesions, such as photodamage, the light is absorbed by the melanin making up the brown spot. The body's natural processes work to get rid of the damaged tissue, revealing more youthful looking skin after about a week. Make sure not to pick at the spots, they will flake off like coffee grounds for about 7-14 days after your treatment. Looks like you are going to have a great result from your IPL treatment. Make sure to protect your skin from... more

Jenny O. Sobera, MD
Birmingham Dermatologic Surgeon

Fine crusting and darkening of sun spots is normal after IPL

Fine crusting and darkening of sun spots is normal after IPL. You will probably have a very nice result, with removal of most of your freckles and sun spots. However, It is important at this time to follow strict sun avoidance, use a good moisturizer twice daily and not to pick any of the crusts.

Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD
Miami Dermatologic Surgeon

It is totally expected that your freckles are darker for several days after IPL.

This type of info is probably in your consent or other paperwork, and it is totally expected. Freckling is darker for a several days after IPL (often 3-7 days). Sometimes new freckles even become more apparent during this timeframe. This is all because the target for the IPL device is pigment. With continued treatments (often 3 or +), this darkening is less prominent each time, and there is less target pigment each session. Sunprotection is essential, and also ask your doc about Rx... more