IPL: Q&A
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How Should I Handle Hyperpigmentation from IPL Burns?
I am an Asian female who underwent IPL to treat folliculitus and ingrown hairs. On my fourth treatment I suffered superficial burns on my bikini line, but was assured that they would heal. They did, eventually, but I was left with dark pigmentation marks on the area. When they did IPL on the same area to treat it, I got burnt again.
My therapist claims to have skipped the burnt area and claims confusion over what had happened. She advised me to use lavender oil to treat it but my GP and a pharmacist prescribed other creams for burns. How should I deal with these burns? Would you know if they would cause scarring and how I can avoid them on my next treatment? Thank you.
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8 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Sonya
in Glasgow
+6
The best way to deal with it is to not let it happen.
The burns that the patient describes are the result of too much light energy going into the skin. The way IPL works is light energy is absorbed by the pigment that we want to get rid of (in this case it is melanin in the hair) and that energy is converted to heat. The heat damages or destroys the structure holding the pigment. Not enough energy, not enough heat and nothing happens. Too much energy, too much heat and you get burned.
Some people, particularly people with darker skin, like...
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Bay Area General Surgeon
+3
IPL and hyperpigmentation
IPL is a good modality for several different procedures, but can occasionally cause a burn in thebest of hands. Usually brownish flaky skin develops over the site of sunpsots if used for this , and they flake off( this is how it works) For hair removal it works a bit differently ans hould not cause these spots, but can sometimes happen. HYyperpigmentation may develop in some individuals.
+1
IPL
It may be possible to improve the pigmentation by using lightening agents like hydroquinone bleaching cream. I recommend that you see a board certified dermatologist or a board certified plastic surgeon.
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+1
Pigmentation after IPL burns
Occasionally, there can be post inflammatory pigmentation, if your skin was burnt during an IPL procedure. But it is possible to improve the pigmentation to a large extent using lightening creams, including hydroquinone. I suggest you consult your dermatologist for a good lightening regimen suited to your skin.
Good luck!
+1
Consider Fraxel Dual foot treat pigmentation after an IPL burn
In my dermatology office in Orange County, Fraxel Dual with thulium wavelength seems to do the best job treating hyperpigmentation resulting after IPL and laser burns. I would also recommend you use Elure to help remove the pigmentation and a good 4% hydoquinone product like Obagi to reduce the recurrence of pigmentation.
+1
You need an Ethnic Skin Specialist
First, Asian skin is very demanding to treat safely for hair removal if the device or practitioner are compromised. I would not go back for a third burn.
The spots should resolve in time if there was not blistering. When they are healed, a bleaching cream is a possibility to decrease the pigment formation. Discuss this with a Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist and they will get you on track with a 1064 laser, or 810 Diode which is the more safe and effective laser to treat ethnic skin.
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+1
Pigmentation after laser burn
Laser burn will occasionally happen even in the hands of the most experienced nurses working in the most reputable medical clinic under supervision of board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The key is to have laser procedures performed in a clinic where the supervising physician has good insight and experience in medical dermatology to step in when there is a complication involving laser burn. All skin types may be susceptible to pigmentary changes after laser burn though they...
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+1
Burns with IPL
The first question we have is why you would be considering having another treatment with this practitioner after two that led to burns? Either the practitioner does not know how to use the device or your skin type is not a good candidate for the treatment. Either way you should not be going back fo rmore treatments.
As for how to deal with the current burn:
First address healing with antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Keep the area covered from sunlight to prevent further...
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