IPL to Chest Area with Redness? (photo)

I had IPL to my chest 4 days ago. There are a lot of brown pigmented areas, which I understand will peel off. However, my concern is that the brown pigmented areas are surrounded by redness. The redness seems to be fading and it doesn't feel like a burn, more like light bruising (gently sore if I push down on the areas). I can't go out in public yet unless I wear very high neckline shirts. The areas that don't have brown spotting also don't have redness, even though she did the whole chest.

Tags:

chest pigmentation 4 days post-op

Comment on this

2 Doctor Answers | Asked by tomeginial

Doctor Answers (2)
Community Comments (0)

IPL

Since you are only 4 days out from your treatment, I would encourage you to give it some more time for everything to heal. The darker pigment will likely flake off, just use a gently cleanser and do not exfoliate the area with anything. Let it flake off on its own. The redness should improve as well.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

IPL targets pigment

IPL targets pigment, even deep pigment that you might not see on the surface. The results of pockets of pigment like this often mean people will get what we call "coffee grounds" after a treatment, which is the actual underlying pigment rising and coming out of the skin. It will feel a bit sticky, but will "sluff off" as we call it over a few days. Don't pick or rub on these areas. Cleanse them normally with your hands or a Clarisonic and gentle cleansers like Dove - not exfoliators or... more