Sun Before IPL?

Question

I have an IPL scheduled for 10 days from now, next Wednesday. This Thursday through Sunday, I will be camping In southern Colorado. I have been camping all summer and am religious about sunscreen, and have not tanned at all. I will be wearing a hat and sunscreen (50 SPF, reapplied often) throughout the entire trip, but will spend a lot of time outside. Is it a bad idea to come back after the trip and do IPL three days later?

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

We always recommend waiting at least 2-4 weeks to have an IPL treatment after sun exposure or ample time in the heat. The skin can still hold heat even without a tan from time spent outside, in saunas, steam rooms or other warm environments. When targets within the skin receive the light transmission from the IPL device, the skin converts it into heat. If there is already heat still being held in the skin by sun exposure, etc. it increases the likelihood of an adverse reaction. This can include blisters, burns, or permanent damage to the skin including hyper/hypopigmentation.

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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.