3 Days Post IPL: Freckles Are More and Darker - Is This Normal?

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Yes, this is normal. This skin response is commonly referred to as microcrusting and is an anticipated outcome as the result of an effective IPL treatment. The freckles and other sun damage that are present will continue to darken, raise and then flake off within 7-14 days. Do not attempt to pick or exfoliate the skin during the first two weeks post treatment. Use a gentle cleanser, light moisturizer and SPF 50. A follow up treatment, such as a microderm(at least 2 weeks post IPL treatment), is an excellent way to enhance your results once the darkened areas have flaked. Also, a series of IPL treatments will offer you optimal results.

Darkening of the freckles is normal after IPL. It actually means that you had a very effective treatment and the results should be great. It may take 7-10 days before your skin gets back to normal. You may use some bleaching creams to speed up the lightening process and try to exfoliate by doing a microdermabrasion or a mild chemical peel.

When treating pigmented lesions, such as photodamage, the light is absorbed by the melanin making up the brown spot.  The body's natural processes work to get rid of the damaged tissue, revealing more youthful looking skin after about a week.  Make sure not to pick at the spots, they will flake off like coffee grounds for about 7-14 days after your treatment.

Looks like you are going to have a great result from your IPL treatment.  Make sure to protect your skin from the sun while your skin heals.

Fine crusting and darkening of sun spots is normal after IPL. You will probably have a very nice result, with removal of most of your freckles and sun spots. However, It is important at this time to follow strict sun avoidance, use a good moisturizer twice daily and not to pick any of the crusts.

This type of info is probably in your consent or other paperwork, and it is totally expected.  Freckling is darker for a several days after IPL (often 3-7 days). Sometimes new freckles even become more apparent during this timeframe. This is all because the target for the IPL device is pigment. With continued treatments (often 3 or +), this darkening is less prominent each time, and there is less target pigment each session. Sunprotection is essential, and also ask your doc about Rx products that can help with pigment correction--as studies show that these can be synergistic with IPL for lentigines.

It usually takes about ten days for these freckles to come off. Wear a big hat and sun block to protect from the sun while you are healing.

Yes, this is the response you want to see with IPL treatment, a disruption of the melanin containing cells, the melanocyctes. It appears almost like a small scab and flakes off with in a few days. Your doctor should of advised you regarding this!