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I was wondering if I can go to the beach and tan after an ipl hair removal on my arms and legs - Is it bad to tan?

Doctor Answers 3

Avoid sun after IPL

August 22nd, 2016
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Sun exposure should be avoided about two weeks after an IPL treatment. The skin is really sensitive after this type of treatment and tanning and direct sun light can cause hyperpigmentation and more redness to the area. Sunblock should be applied to the area that has been treated. 
Michael T. Somenek, MD


Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 36 reviews

August 22nd, 2016

Avoid sun after IPL

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Sun exposure should be avoided about two weeks after an IPL treatment. The skin is really sensitive after this type of treatment and tanning and direct sun light can cause hyperpigmentation and more redness to the area. Sunblock should be applied to the area that has been treated. 


Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

No Tanning After IPL or Laser Hair Removal

July 20th, 2016
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Hi there,
We definitely recommend our patients not tan for a minimum of 2 weeks and preferably a month after IPL or laser hair removal. Also, if you are planning to go back for another treatment, you shouldn’t get a tan because that will interfere with your next treatment and it may have to be rescheduled. Often patients who like to be in the sun will do their laser hair removal in the fall or winter when they won’t be outdoors often. You can get hyperpigmented or hypopigmented areas if you get tan before or after these treatments.
Best,
Dr. Grant Stevens

Web reference: http://www.marinaplasticsurgery.com/

Grant Stevens, MD
July 20th, 2016

No Tanning After IPL or Laser Hair Removal

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Hi there,
We definitely recommend our patients not tan for a minimum of 2 weeks and preferably a month after IPL or laser hair removal. Also, if you are planning to go back for another treatment, you shouldn’t get a tan because that will interfere with your next treatment and it may have to be rescheduled. Often patients who like to be in the sun will do their laser hair removal in the fall or winter when they won’t be outdoors often. You can get hyperpigmented or hypopigmented areas if you get tan before or after these treatments.
Best,
Dr. Grant Stevens

Learn more: http://www.marinaplasticsurgery.com/

Grant Stevens, MD

Tanning after IPL

July 20th, 2016
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Thank you for your question dimataher. The IPL treatment can be used to address unwanted hair on the skin in addition to rejuvenation and treating sun damage. After any type of laser treatment or chemical peel the skin will be sensitive to the sun for a period of time. A sun tan after a laser treatment can lead to burns and scars. I recommend avoiding sun for two weeks after a hair removal treatment. I also recommend against sun tanning in general because the sun leads to the damage that we treat with lasers. The best way to address sun damage is to avoid the sun in the first place. Spray tans are a great alternative to sun tanning. Good luck!

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD
July 20th, 2016

Tanning after IPL

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Thank you for your question dimataher. The IPL treatment can be used to address unwanted hair on the skin in addition to rejuvenation and treating sun damage. After any type of laser treatment or chemical peel the skin will be sensitive to the sun for a period of time. A sun tan after a laser treatment can lead to burns and scars. I recommend avoiding sun for two weeks after a hair removal treatment. I also recommend against sun tanning in general because the sun leads to the damage that we treat with lasers. The best way to address sun damage is to avoid the sun in the first place. Spray tans are a great alternative to sun tanning. Good luck!

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.