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IPL Laser Hypopigmentation

asked 3 years ago by drawnedlac in Salt Lake City, UT
Latest answer by Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
Question viewed 27,421 times
Tags: chest, erythema, hypopigmentation, side effects, track marks

I had IPL 1 week ago on my chest for hyperpigmentation. Should I be worried now about post treatment hypopigmention? Directly after the treatment I had erythema and blisters. I was told to ice and treat the area like a burn. I week later the area treated still has railroad track like lesions.

3 answers to IPL Laser Hypopigmentation

+4

Use ointments on IPL burns and give them time

Thanks for your question. It appears like you obviously had an IPL burn due to high settings. While you are healing with crusting, make sure to put plenty of ointment on these areas and DO NOT pick off the scabs. The ointment (Vaseline, Neosporin, etc) will help you heal quickly, and the scabs will provide a natural wound dressing. Leaving the scabs on as long as possible will minimize scarring. You will be left with a little discoloration for a while, either hyperpigmenation,... more
Don Mehrabi, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologist
+2

Hypopigmentation after IPL

Based on the picture you submitted, it looks like you have done a good job making sure that this injury heals well. Keep the area moist with neosporin and make sure to STAY OUT OF THE SUN. Do not pick or peel the scabs off, allow the skin to flake off naturally. The area is pink underneath and will remain that way for a while while you heal. Based on the healing response so far, it does not appear that you will be hypopigmented from this trauma, but only time will tell for sure. Even... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

The settings need to be turned down...

If you did not blister, and are not dark in skin color, the Hypopigmentation should be transient. It is easy to remove pigment from the chest, so lower settings are a good place to start. With the second treatment, the Hypopigmented lines will fade as more pigment is removed. If blisters or prolonged redness were present, the settings need to be turned down a bit.
Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

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