Follow-up question: Is there anything I can do to speed up the healing and reduce scarring from IPL burns? (Photos)

Hello and thanks for your question and posting photos. Unfortunately, it seems as though you were treated with the wrong technology. Just from the pictures you provided you have darker melanin in your skin and therefore should have been treated with a true laser, such as Yag1064. That being said, it is best not to use a scrub or pick the skin, keep it moist with a barrier protectant such as Aquaphor or aloe to speed healing. Expect that there may be hypopigmented areas on the skin that may never regenerate melanin. If it is just hyperpigmented skin it "may" resolve after several skin cycles but you will need a lightening or bleaching cream to assist that. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. I suggest you follow up with your provider. Always see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist. Best of luck.

Hi. This is a great post!  
We have treated several patients from other practices for this complication. Generally we see this in patients who have darker pigment naturally, (olive-fitzpatrick 3 or darker). It is usually caused from excessive heat and may require more treatment to reduce the markings. I would suggest starting the Obagi Clear #3 for at least 2 weeks and then schedule some micro-needling to prevent scarring. Continue using a silicone based scar treatment over the Clear #3 as that will seal in the moisture and also help to prevent scarring. As you look at laser treatments in the future, you should consider pretreating with hydroquinone.  Lastly, even though it is tempting to scrub and/or pick the area, that is the last thing you need to do. Treat it with the topical creams and then leave it alone as much as possible. 
I hope this is helpful. Good luck! 

These type of burns generally need significant moisture. Usually, the first few weeks we use heavy moisturizer such as Aquaphor, Cetaphil and a newer healing ointment called the Alastin Recovery Balm. We recommend not to scrub or peel any of the scabs. It is always better to let them naturally fall off. You can combine these heavy moisturizers with the triamcinolone cream that you are using. After several weeks of healing, if there is residual hyperpigmentation, you can use skin lightening agents such as Lytera and/or skin bleaching creams such as hydroquinone. 

This will resolve in time ( 9 to 15 months). Still early days, please DO NOT exfoliate or scrub as you can make PIH worse. Obviously photo protect. Once your pigmentation settles down, you can use low dose QSL or 1927 C + B- Thullium Fraxel to remodel collagen and reduce PIH. For now, use silicone gel at night for the next 4 weeks. This is not too bad, as with time this will normalise. What you do not want to do is worsen it. All the best, Dr Davin S. Lim. Brisbane. Australia.