I have had this proceedure done 7 times over the past 9 years. This is a very effective and aggressive treatment for pigmentation, discolouration, etc. The results are amazing and long lasting. However, just like any other proceedure with dramatic results, there is the healing time that takes place prior to the finality of the treatment. From your pictures, that is exactly what should be expected. All of the darkness that was initially on the surface of the skin was pigmentation that raised to the surface. The 5th day is typically the worst in terms of the surface of your skin looking like it is flecked with coffee grounds. After 3 weeks your new clear skin should be visible. Your skin tone should be perfected. I love that, unlike less agressive treatments like Glycolic Acid peels, etc, IPL does not damage the outer surface of the skin. The laser actually heats up from the inside out. This heat is what pushes the pigment to the surface. Once your skin has healed from the proceedure, your skin's pigmentation will look perfected, your skin will be more plumped. Yes...just like every other agressive proceedure, there is a bit of mild pain, relative discomfort which you go through for more dramatic results. If you are the type of person that does not like to see such dramatic results, more mild spa treatments or less agressive topicals would be more appropriate for you. If you want to get the dramatic results, this proceedure is for you. It is very important that your doctor describes the process in depth and what to expect first so that you can weigh the pros and cons and not be surprised afterward. I am sure that after 6 weeks, you are enjoying the clearer flawless skin that this proceedure offered.
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I have had this proceedure done 7 times over the past 9 years. This is a very effective and aggressive treatment for pigmentation, discolouration, etc. The results are amazing and long lasting. However, just like any other proceedure with dramatic results, there is the healing time that takes place prior to the finality of the treatment. From your pictures, that is exactly what should be expected. All of the darkness that was initially on the surface of the skin was pigmentation that raised to the surface. The 5th day is typically the worst in terms of the surface of your skin looking like it is flecked with coffee grounds. After 3 weeks your new clear skin should be visible. Your skin tone should be perfected. I love that, unlike less agressive treatments like Glycolic Acid peels, etc, IPL does not damage the outer surface of the skin. The laser actually heats up from the inside out. This heat is what pushes the pigment to the surface. Once your skin has healed from the proceedure, your skin's pigmentation will look perfected, your skin will be more plumped. Yes...just like every other agressive proceedure, there is a bit of mild pain, relative discomfort which you go through for more dramatic results. If you are the type of person that does not like to see such dramatic results, more mild spa treatments or less agressive topicals would be more appropriate for you. If you want to get the dramatic results, this proceedure is for you. It is very important that your doctor describes the process in depth and what to expect first so that you can weigh the pros and cons and not be surprised afterward. I am sure that after 6 weeks, you are enjoying the clearer flawless skin that this proceedure offered.