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Treatment of Hyperpigmentation After IPL (Hair Removal) Burns

asked 11 months ago by embarrased_zebra in Brisbane, Australia
Latest answer by Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD
Question viewed 767 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, burn, complication, treatment

I have had 2 treatments for hair removal on my legs and both times were fine. The 3rd time was 10 days ago and after I left the spa my legs felt like they were burning. At home I treated them for burns with after-sun cream and Solosite (bought in pharmacy).The treatment was done with a PhaserEPL (ChromoGenex) and I suspect she had the setting too high. The marks on the photo are from today, I look like a zebra and am embarrased to go outside. Please can anybody advice how to treat these spots?

3 answers to Treatment of Hyperpigmentation After IPL (Hair Removal) Burns

+1

How to treat possible burns after IPL hair removal

Your pictures show superficial burns at the site of IPL hair removal. It is very important to address this quickly in order to minimize possible long term changes in pigmentation. At this point I advise you to consult your local dermatologist so that a treatment can be formulated. My recommendation would be to apply a combination of three creams, all can be applied together twice daily for two to four weeks: 1. topical antibiotic agent (ex. Mupirocin 2% ointment). Will prevent secondary... more
Leyda Elizabeth Bowes, MD

Miami Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

IPL

First, you should let your physician know and see if he/ she has any advice for you. They are burns and treating them as you are doing is fine, however there really is no way to speed up the time it takes to heal. This will take time to resolve. That is never what anyone wants to hear, but it is the truth. You need to avoid any sun exposure, as that can make it worse. As soon as the redness resolves you will be able to see if the skin is going to be too dark or... more
Melanie L. Petro, MD

Alabama Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

The best thing to do for your spots is protect them 100% from the sun until they fade.

These spots may look abnormal for a year or more. Protect them 100% from the sund until they completely heal. In the mean time, you could apply some Aguaphor Healing Ointment multiple times a day until the scabs come off. You may have white rectangles for a long time until the color of the surrounding skin fades and blends with these spots. Fractional IPL treatments by an expert could fade the spots more quickly.
Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon

www.gatewaylasercenter.com

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