Risk of Scarring from IPL After Scabs Fall Off?

The 'scabs' that resulted from IPL treatments have fallen off, but the area is reddish/pinkish. It has been several weeks but the pigmentation has not returned to normal skin color.

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ellen H

Doctor Answers (4)
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Scarring can occur, but it sounds like your areas are simply healing

Thank you for your question. If you experienced crusting of your dark spots from your IPL treatment, then it is perfectly fine that you have some slight pinkish areas where those crusts have flaked off. If you were burned by the IPL treatment, then the pink areas resulting from the scabbing may lead way to some pigmentation changes. In general, if you experience normal darkening, crusting, and flaking of your dark spots after an IPL treatment, allow these areas to fall off on their own, and... more

Photofacial

After a photofacial it is common to have slight pinkish areas after the dark spots have flaked off. It is very important to protect the area from sun exposure. I encourage you to wear a good sunscreen and limit sun exposure.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Photofacials and pink spots left

It sounds as though you have pinkness caused by postinflammatory erythema, which is common after peeling. You must avoid the sun on these areas and the pinkness will fade in a month or so.

Redness and mild scabbing after IPL scarring is normal

What you are describing sounds normal for the procedure you have had. After IPL or laser treatment, you may see mild scabs and/or flakiness where sun damaged skin cells rise to the surface and come off. We encourage our laser patients to avoid scrubbing or picking at these light scabs or flaky skin after treatment. Even without picking or flaking, these light scabs may fall off and appear reddish or pink underneath. The pink or reddish tone should fade away shortly after the scabs fall or... more