Photofacial before & after photos
76%
86 reviews
Worth It Rating Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Photofacial Cost $600 average cost

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.

Asked 44 months ago by Ellen H
Sort 2 expert answers by:
+2

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
Don Mehrabi, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologist
+1

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
Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
Use of this website and the posting of any reviews or other content on this website constitutes acceptance of the RealSelf® Terms of Service. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. © 2011 RealSelf, Inc. All rights reserved.