Just finished 1 Palomar IPL treatment. Am I suppose to look like this?? (photos)

Question

I was at the med spa (I know, first mistake), I was there for the 1540 Fractionated laser but the machine broke so they offered me a palomar ipl treatment for free. After, I left and immediately started reading reviews. Turns out it shouldn't be used on Asians or hispanics! I'm Hispanic! I have serious sun damage, I've got it all. Please tell me if my face is suppose to look like this 30 minutes after the session. And what I can expect to see and in how long. I'm freaking out.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with a cosmetic dermatologist for a formal evaluation and after care. I recommend silicone gel with growth factors, light therapy and skin care to give improvement. Laser results can take several weeks to settle. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and posting pictures.  I appreciate your concerns.  I would not panic yet.  IPL patients are often red and splotchy for 0 to 48 hours.  It should even out, but we wouldn't recommend another IPL treatment for you.Going forward, laser treatments should only be performed in an office where a physician is on site.  Fractional 1540 is used for texture resurfacing and not color correction.  We don't perform IPL treatments on Skin Types IV - VI.  Based on your pictures, you do have pervasive sun damage.  With your heritage, we would have probably recommended a series of PicoSure FOCUS treatments.  It is safe for all skin types, has no downtime and usually doesn't leave noticeable demarcation between treated and untreated areas..

Raminder Saluja, MD · Answer

Treatment settings/response and healing periods can vary with the amount of photodamage (pigment) present and the fluence (energy) utilized.  I tell patients that they will be red for about 24-48 hours and will swell under their eyes, primarily, when more vascularity present (my rosacea patients).  The pigment will get darker for 5 days and begin to come to the surface and slough off around day 5-7.  Try not to coax it along but allow it to slough on its own.  It is important to not be tan prior to treatment and there is a skintel device that can measure the amount of melanin so energies can be customized to each patient.  Wear sunscreen for sure.  Hard to tell on a photo from a cell phone, but with a typical IPL you will feel like you glow at 7-10 days post treatment.

Just finished 1 Palomar IPL treatment. Am I suppose to look like this?? (photos)

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Just finished 1 Palomar IPL treatment. Am I suppose to look like this?? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about IPL

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.