How Long Will It Take PIH Caused by IPL to Resolve?

I had IPL on my neck, shoulders and chest with an Alma Hamony device. I experienced good results with my first treatment, but the energy level was increased for my second treatment, and it caused excessive heating and PIH in three areas (shoulders were fine, but the sides and back of my neck were not). I have been battling PIH for three months now. I have tried a combo kojic acid, glycolic acid, Retin-A, and hydroquinone, with little success except skin mottling. Will it ever resolve?

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neck PIH timing

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by ClaireK in Sacramento, CA

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PIH...After IPL

Time and and being diligent with the use of Hydroquinones and Retina-A's are your best bet. Be sure to ALWAYS wear sunscreen. It is not uncommon for PIH to take up to a year to resolve. Good luck. Dr. Grant Stevens

PIH after IPL

I would try combination of hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.1% and Floucinolone 0.01% cream (all combined together). This is the Triluma formula. Try it for 2 months and then look at the result. Dr. Behnam

Hyperpigmentation after IPL

Other options to consider are trying a stronger hydroquinone percentage such as 8% for a short time or a series of gentle chemical peels such as Jessner's peel. Daily sunscreen use, at least SPF 30, preferably containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, is critical as well. A series of low intensity IPL or Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatments might also help.

Hopefully PIH will resolve

PIH can happen post IPL when, basically, a light burn happens to the skin. You shoulders were probably fine because they have less sun exposure normally, but the sides and back of your neck are exposed more to direct and indirect sun. Hopefully the PIH will resolve with time, possibly even a year or so, but the truth is that every person is different and there's no tried and true way to resolve it. You need to use sunscreen daily as PIH becomes worse from sun exposure. The best way to... more

IPL Treatment for Pigmentation and Sun Spots - Melaquin or IPL

Identifying the source of discoloration is the first step in treating it. Non-hormonal discoloration, such as Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation will generally take 6 months to a year to improve, even with IPL. Hormonal based melasma will take longer. In my Santa Monica and Beverly Hills practices, I prescribe Melaquin AM and Melaquin PM for all patients undergoing IPL treatment. Melaquin enhances the effects of IPL.