I had my third IPL treatment today. Spots got darker.

Coffee Grids post IPL treatment within the first week is normal.  In fact, those "grinds" were superficial hyperpigmentation that has risen to the surface and will heal over the next couple days and flake off.  Continue using sunscreen at least a 30 SPF. You should consider adding a hydroquinone, retinA, and vitamin C to your daily regimen to maximize your IPL treatment results. The wonderful part about having an IPL treatment is that you can start wearing make up the very same day and it will not affect your laser treatment.

Hello,
It is important to consult with your physician but a "coffee grind" appearance after IPL is typically indicative of a therapeutic treatment.  

The IPL treatment uses selective photothermolysis because the hand
piece can be placed on your body to target different chromophores in
your skin. This process allows the wavelengths of light to clear tiny
blood vessels and pigment spots by forcing the hemoglobin in the tiny
vessels and the melanin in the pigmented age spot to absorb the laser or
light energy and heat and damage the spots without damaging the skin.
Dark spots become damaged (desquamate) and scab and fall off in 3 to 7
days. The tiny vessels in the treated area become pale and then the skin
returns to normal appearance in 10-14 days.

Other side effects post laser include sunburn sensation, mild redness and swelling.  Ice or hydrocortisone post treatment can help minimize swelling.  A daily zinc based sunscreen SPF >30  and sun avoidance is extremely important for at least two weeks after the treatment.  Make is fine- avoid harsh products like Retin-A, glycolic acid or salicylic acid.  
Good Luck!

It is normal for dark spots to get darker after IPL. The pigment / dark colors will then flake off like coffee grinds and leave a lighter more even complexion.

"Coffee grind" is absolutely normal after an IPL treatment. Continue sunscreen and ask your practitioner about aftercare products. Makeup is usually fine after a treatment.

It is normal to have a "coffee ground" appearance after an IPL treatment.  This is actually a strong indicator of an effective treatment. Typically, the coffee ground appearance resolves within 7-10 days, and you can begin to appreciate the lightening of the treated brown spots.   I would suggest following up with your provider to determine if the reaction you are experiencing is anticipated.   Makeup is fine a few days after IPL.  Make sure you are diligent with your sun protection. 

Some degree of "coffee ground" appearance after IPL is normal, and can actually be desirable.  It means you likely will have a response to the IPL treatment, and some short-term downtime is typical.
Makeup is usually fine after IPL.  I would wait a couple of days, as your skin may be more sensitive to topicals.

Thank you for your question.  Everything sounds and appears normal.  Have patience and good luck.  If you have additional questions, you should return to the service provider and speak with their supervising physician.  Best of luck.

This is what is supposed to happen. Those will slough off in the next week or so. Within 2 weeks, your skin should be healed and the spots lighter than when they started. The only makeup I trust post-procedure is Jane Iredale powder. You can use that right away. 

Hello,
To answer your question, with IPL phototherapy laser, you can expect the "spots" on your face to appear darker as a result of the brown spots, sun spots, age spots, freckles, red spots surfacing to the top layer of the skin. The same explanation goes for the "coffee grind" areas of your skin. With each cumulative session, the spots will continue to reach the surface of the skin to achieve fading of the imperfections and will cause the skin to dry up/flake off in those areas. Regarding makeup application after treatment, our patients are able to apply makeup right after each treatment if they choose to. At our practice we offer/recommend Oxygenetix breathable foundation to match your skin tone which offers great coverage.

the ipl photofacial causes the brown spots to come to the surface and fall off like coffee grounds over the following week. It is not recommended to scrub or try to remove the pigment as it comes to the surface ... rather let it flake off on its own. During this time it is ok to wear make up to cover up the dark pigmented area as they come to the surface.