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Face Looks Worse After Photofacial, Will the Brown Spots it Caused Eventually Go Away?

asked 6 months ago by badluck
Latest answer by Donna Bilu Martin, MD
Question viewed 425 times
Tags: 4 days post-op, brown spots, dark spots, hyperpigmentation

I had my first photofacial on Sunday. It is tues and my face looks terrible with dark brown spots all over it. The facial was a bad experience with terrible pain afterwards. I will not go back for another, but am concerned I have ruined my skin. Will the existing dark spots that came follwing the treatment go away?

4 answers to Face Looks Worse After Photofacial, Will the Brown Spots it Caused Eventually Go Away?

+1

Dark spots after photofacial

Brown spots and red spots will often darken right after an intense pulsed light (photofacial) treatment. They should lighten up. Sun avoidance and sunscreen are key after treatment.
Donna Bilu Martin, MD

Miami Beach Dermatologist
+1

Photofacial

Brown spots go away in 1-2 weeks. Avoid the sun and use lots of sunscreen. These are typically not painful.
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon
+1

IPL Will Make Darken Spots Before They Fall Off

IPL (Photofacial) is used to treat brown spots and redness of the skin. A few days after your IPL treatment you may notice that your dark spots are becoming darker; do not panic. IPL forces the dark spots to the surface and as the skin cells turnover, so will the dark spots. Allow a few weeks for this process to occur. Many patients are pleased with just one IPL treatment but often times a series of 2-3 is necessary in order to rid your skin of the unwanted spots. In our office we... more
Steve Laverson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

IPL turns brown spots darker before flaking off

IPL or photofacial treatment treats brown spots and red pigmentation such as from rosacea or broken blood vessels. Although this is typically considered a "no downtime" procedure, occasional patients may experience a more exaggerated response. Brown spots typically turn darker, appearing like "coffee grounds", that then flake off in about a week's time.
Melanie D. Palm, MD

San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon

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