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

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.

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!

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!