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IPL Hyperpigmentation

asked 3 years ago by Kimorama in Los Angeles
Latest answer by Chang Son, MD
Question viewed 41,333 times
Tags: hyperpigmentation, side effects

I had a photofacial/IPL procedure done 4 days ago. I expected that my hyperpigmented blotches would be peeling off by now, but they still haven't. How long does it normally take?

13 answers to IPL Hyperpigmentation

It will usually take 7-14 days

The “peppering” or darkening of the hyperpigmented areas can take 7-14 days to resolve. This is normal. Depending on the amount of hyperpigmentation you have, you may need to repeat your IPL in a month. If you have a lot of sun damage, it can take 3-5 treatments. We recommend that our patients see our aestheticians for skin care in between their IPL’s. The facial with or without microdermabrasion will help remove some of the crusted pigment and prepare the skin for... more

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Depends on the individual..

I agree with the other physicians. Normally, my patients see pigment lift almost immediately and take anywhere from about 4-14 days to flake off. I'd like to stress the importance of wearing sunscreen after any IPL treatment. Thanks for your question, and I hope you enjoy your IPL results!

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

IPL hyperpigmentation peels off after 1-2 weeks

Sun spots treated with IPL can take 1-2 weeks to resolve. Initially over the first week you will see a "coffee-ground" like substance form where the sun spots once were. Gradually, over the next week to 2 weeks, the pigment gradually dissipates. A vibraderm or silk peel 10 days following the IPL can speed up the process.

Kristen A. Richards, MD
La Jolla Dermatologist

Spots after IPL

The reason it takes some time for spots (or hyperpigmentation as you put it) take some time to flake off is that the lesions that were being targeted in the treatment are not always right at the surface of the skin. The pigment is normally located somewhere in the epidermis (the upper layer of skin), but cell reproduction in the epidermis can take up to a couple months. Cell turnover is the time it takes new cells at the bottom of the epidermis to come to the surface, die and flake off... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

It may take 2 weeks for complete clearance

After IPL, there may be swelling that lasts 2 days and redness that lasts 7-10 days. After 4-7 days the brown pigment appears to "rise" to the surface of the skin, but it may not start to peel off for an additional couple of days. Usually, the entire process is complete 2 weeks after you have the treatment.

Jordana Gilman, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Hyperpigmentation and IPL

If the pigmentation was a typical age spot (lentigo), one usually sees rapid darkening of the spot after the treatment ("peppering") and then gradual flaking off from 4 days to 2 weeks. If the pigment was from melasma, the result is often not as gratifying and may require a different treatment like a topical bleaching agent, such as hydroquinone. Mark Lucarelli, MD, FACS Madison, WI

Mark J. Lucarelli, MD
Madison Oculoplastic Surgeon

It may take a series of treatments

The HP blotches may not come off during the first treatment, and may even get darker if it is Melasma. Hopefully you are pre-treating with a good bleaching cream plan and disciplined. Avoiding the sun and a sunscreen with SPF30 is a good start. Treatment of the face is not easy to remove if it is deep or multilayered and does take a series of treatments for best results.

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

IPL results depend on the true cause of your dark spots.

If you are treating lentigoes (sun spots) with the IPL, they should reliably come off by about two weeks after being noticeably darkened for several days. A less reliable result can be found with melasma, a different, more difficult, and biologically complex skin darkening that is historically tougher to improve. The results for this will depend on the skill and experience of your IPL provider, the wavelengths of the machine used, and the quality of your skin and pigmentation.... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

IPL spots take 2 weeks to disappear

When the IPL is used to treat pigmented sun spots on your skin, they will turn dark and eventually disappear. This generally takes 2 weeks. Be patient, you will be happy with the changes!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Not all hyperpigmenations are equal

To answer your question correctly, we need to understand first what is causing your hyperpigmentation. Depending on the cause, sometime IPL treatment can actually make hyperpigmentation worse. Very careful adjuvant therapy also can be critical.

Chang Son, MD
Fort Lee Dermatologist

IPL Post-Treatment Hyperpigmentation

Thank you for your question. Hyperpigmentation following an IPL treatment typically begins three to five days after treatment and has a “coffee-ground” appearance. Generally speaking the darkened spots disappear one to two weeks after treatment. If any of the original hyperpigmentation remains after the darkened spots have disappeared additional treatments may be required to achieve desired results. As always if you are unsure about your treatment results it is best to... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

IPL results take 1 - 2 weeks

Usually the dark spots after the IPL treatment get progressively darker over the next several days. You should notice this gradual increase in pigmentation. Some call it "coffee grounds". You should see it gradually coming to the surface and peeling off over the next week or two.