Accidental sun damage after IPL and laser, is it permanent? (photos)

Question

I had my third ipl and laser treatment for redness 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I went to the beach but I had factor 50 sunscreen on my face, replied it once and had a hat. Now my cheeks feel hot and are a little red. Will this go away or is it permanent? I think I might have ruined all my treatments which is a real shame. I have one more review session booked on May 1st, I'm hoping this might make it go away?

Kyle Holmes, MD · Answer

If you had IPL for treatment for rosacea or facial flushing it is possible that you simply have a sunburn because the IPL treatment made your skin more sensitive to sun. It is unlikely that you will have permanent redness as a result of the sun exposure. Following IPL, it is best to wait 3 weeks before deciding if you had good results. Give it 3 weeks following the sun exposure and if you still have redness you may benefit from an additional IPL treatment (yellow 570 nm)

Lynn M. Klein, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It sounds like you took all the right precautions to protect yourself from the sun. Have you used that sunscreen before? It may be possible that you are having a physical reaction to the products you were using, or maybe you did not reapply enough. The best to rule out any issues or further sun damage is to contact your qualified provider and let them know what you are experiencing. Make sure you are using a sunblock that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and continue to do your best to stay out of the sun. Best of luck!

Accidental sun damage after IPL and laser, is it permanent? (photos)

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Accidental sun damage after IPL and laser, is it permanent? (photos)

Answers (2)

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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.