What Could IPL Hair Removal Do to Recently Tanned Skin?

The heat from the IPL seeks out the pigment in the skin or hair follicle and “heats it up” in efforts to eliminate it. When your skin is tanned or darker, you are at a risk of burning, blistering, and even causing permanent discoloration. You want to avoid these treatments until your skin color has returned to its original shade.

Deeh,

I bet you had a wonderful time in Rio, but I would wait, and wait, and wait, and wait as long as you can before going back to the IPL (or any hair removal laser or light based device) for hair removal. The reason is that the devices look for the contrast between the dark root of the hair and the surrounding tissue, and if your skin is tan the IPL can get confused and target your skin too much, causing a burn. These burns can blister and peel, and even cause permanent scarring that is not reversible. The best condition for light-based hair removal is very dark hairs with very pale skin. There are certain lasers (not IPL) made to work more safely to remove hair on darker skin tones, but this still does not include a tan. Wait for it to fade. Speak to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon before proceeding.

The IPL will be absorbed by your tan rather than by the hair pigment in the follicle.  Your skin could burn and blister with potential scars and you would not have a good treatment for the hair.  You must wait until your tan has faded and discuss it with the technician.