Excessive swelling after IPL? (Photo)

Question

I has IPL yesterday. My face is red and painful yesterday after the treatment but thr swelling seems excessive on my left side, especially under my eye. I'm on an antibotic for a sinus infection, could this have anything to do with the excessive swelling?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and your photos. Your reaction to your treatment doesn't look ideal but shouldn't be a cause for concern. Give it a few days for swelling to decrease. As far as pain, the only discomfort involved with an IPL is during the procedure, there should be little to no discomfort following your procedure. Contact the doctor who performed the procedure and ask to see them as soon as possible.BestAnil Shah MD

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

Swelling absolutely can happen after IPL and can be even more significant than what you're seeing without it being a problem or a result of anything bad. This more frequently happens in fair skinned people, patients having their first IPL and patients where reds are the main issue being treated.That being said, it is not normal or common for there to be pain after IPL and you absolutely should contact your treating office immediately. Swelling after IPL usually responds best to elevation, cool compresses, antihistamines, antiinflammatories (occasionally prednisone, but other measures usually work fine), but all of this needs to happen in through close contact with your treating office who know your settings and can personally evaluate you.

Excessive swelling after IPL? (Photo)

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Excessive swelling after IPL? (Photo)

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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.