Can IPL damage show up after a few weeks/months?

Question

I've had 2 ipl sessions. The second one 2 days ago. I didn't feel any pain or didn't have any redness after the treatments were done. But I have seen so many bad reviews on ipl that I am beyond scared. There are so many people that experienced orange peel like skin or fat loss due to this treatment..

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You would know if you got damage from IPL very quickly after the procedure.  If you are getting good outcomes there is no reason to be worried, however IPL doesn't really do anything for anti-aging.  Yes it helps brown and red color but it doesn't improve collagen and helps in no way for skin tightening.  I would consider adding fraxel, peels, microneedling and PRP.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question malia78. IPL is a great treatment for facial rejuvenation. There is a lot of scary information on the internet about cosmetic treatments. It is important to communicate with your doctor and have him/her answer your questions so that you have appropriate expectations. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Faiyaaz Kalimullah, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It's difficult to say for certain without examining you in-person, but it does not sound like you are experiencing any significant side effects from your IPL treatments.  As with any laser or light treatments, there is a risk of burns and blisters after IPL.  These are typically evident very quickly - they arise either immediately after treatment or within a few hours at the latest.  At times, patients can develop "striping" on the skin a few weeks after treatment - this is not a burn, rather it occurs because of uneven spacing of individual IPL pulses, and can easily be fixed with a touch-up treatment.
The energy from IPL does not penetrate the skin deeply enough to impact fat, so there should be virtually no risk of delayed fat loss after IPL.  I would recommend consulting with a cosmetic dermatologist to discuss the best treatment plan for you.  Best of luck!

Katherine Dee, MD · Answer

IPL is fantastic for treating redness/vascular lesions and for treating brown spots/sun damage. The results from treatment happen within 1-2 weeks. Damage from IPL is generally from burns-- you would know right away if this were the case. IPL is a surface treatment and does not damage fat under the skin.

Can IPL damage show up after a few weeks/months?

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Answer: IPL benefits and risks

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Can IPL damage show up after a few weeks/months?

Answers (4)

Answer: IPL benefits and risks

Answer: IPL benefits and risks

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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.