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IPL Laser Side Effects - When do They Go Away?

Over the past year and a half I have had 3 full face IPL treatments (Photofacial and Syneron) for sunspots and freckles. I am a female caucasian with pale white skin that burns and develop freckles easily. The first 2 times I had good results, though I had a few hyperpigmentation spots on my forehead and chin. But the last time I had it done--which was 6 months ago now--I had 2 burns on my face around the chin area. Now my face has white scar-like spots (small and round) on at least 10 different spots. Are these scars and will they go away? And if they are scars what should I do? Also, what would you suggest I do for the hyperpigmentation? I also notice pock like indentations on my cheeks. My neck seems to have loose skin now. Are these things temporary? What can I do or use to help? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Asked 35 months ago by missy05 in vancouver

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side effects

IPL side effects

You mentioned several possible IPL side effects and so we will address each one independently. 1. Hyperpigmentation from Burns. Hyperpigmentation is a darkening of the skin caused by trauma. For light skin types this type of coloration normally goes away on it's own. If it persists for you, there are two options we use, hydroquinone bleaching cream and q-switched lasers. If using q-switched lasers, make sure the practitioner is extremely experienced as you are treating a trauma scar with... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Pigment irregularity...

The descriptions of the scars are not entirely consistent with the shape of the Syneron handpiece (rectangular) or the rails. You may be having some pigment irregularity from past scarring and the IPL removed the pigment over the scar. Loose skin is not caused by any laser I know of. The pock like indentions can be treated with a fractional laser system by a reputable company and competent practitioners.

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Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

Pigment Problems can be corrected but not indentations

You sound like you would have been a perfect canidate for IPL based on your skin type. It seems like your first 2 treatments responded as they should. However, when you went in for your third treament the "setting" possibly was set too high and caused your burns. You can use a skin lightening cream for the hyperpigmentation such as tri-luma and that should help. The white spots probably are a result of the burns. I'm not sure about the indentations. If its only been six... more