How do I treat post IPL hypopigmentation?

Hello, I'm in the same boat. Had a dark spot removal on Feb 13 and got VERY badly burned. No blisters, but skin was almost purple, then crusted and now the crusts are off. After reading so much over the internet, was wondering whether I will also have the hypopigmentation. How long after the crusts fall off can one tell. I'm 34 yo, if that makes a difference? For how many months should I avoid sun exposure to "check" whether these spots tan - it is 1/2 of my back and now it looks like zebra?!?!? If I only new... Please, advise and thank you in advance.

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I had IPL done on my face, chest and hands 3 weeks ago and my chest has an obvious rectangle hypopigmentation pattern on it!!! My face and hands turned out fine, but I have no idea what to do about my chest. The Doc says to be patient and wait, but I don't have the patience to wait 6 or more months to see what is going to happen to my skin. I have a very important trip coming up in 7 weeks that I have to look good for, so something has to fix this soon! I know this may not sound very intelligent, but I feel like getting some sun on it would help even it out. What would happen to my chest skin if I layed out approx. 15 min 3 times a week with UVA and UVB protections on it, of course? I feel like the part of the pigment that is white would darken some and match the darker pigment that wasn't zapped with the lasor! Or, should I have the Doc zap the old skin that he missed to make it look like the white/pale skin that was zapped? I have 7 weeks and no one has given me any sugguestions, so please HELP ME!?!?

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I am 2 days post ipl on chest with horrible brown zebra stripes from collarbone to breasts - I told the Dr numerous times I have a special event in 3 weeks I'm wearing a strapless gown for, and she promised this will heal by then, but possibly could turn to hypopigmentation. Based on all of your comments I have my doubts! I told her I am always outdoors though use sunscreen. I resisted sun exposure for 2 wks prior to treatment but this is Florida, unless you live in a cave you are exposed. I am applying TriDerma for healing but will try the hydrocortisone you all mentioned here. I regret ever having had this done and wonder why it is even allowed by law and not more closely regulated? These people have licenses, who is checking on them? Where do consumers complain?

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Hello all, Follow-up to my original post that was 2 days post IPL. After 2 weeks the welts turned to scabs which peeled off, but I am left with obvious zebra stripes, and it's 7 weeks later (though I was promised it would fade in 3)! Not only did I not get to wear my strapless dress to a huge event as planned, but had to buy about $1000 worth of new clothing to hide my chest. I was given Hydroquinone 4% - however doesn't seem to do a thing for my olive skin, in fact may even make it worse. Self-tanner applied on the white rectangles helps somewhat, but still impossible to go out in anything but a T-shirt, especially a problem for evening events. Was just retreated in some of the striped areas this week at a much lower setting to try and even things out. Problem is, I am tanned and freckled now everywhere BUT where there is new skin on my chest, much lighter than everything, which looks ridiculous! Now we are in the heat of summer and covering up is not an option. I have a feeling this story has not ended. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, my hope is that no one else finds themselves in my situation. I should have never let the doctor talk me into IPL and really think it should be outlawed.