How Should I Handle Hyperpigmentation from IPL Burns?

In my dermatology office in Orange County, Fraxel Dual with thulium wavelength seems to do the best job treating hyperpigmentation resulting after IPL and laser burns.  I would also recommend you use Elure to help remove the pigmentation and a good 4% hydoquinone product like Obagi to reduce the recurrence of pigmentation.

Once the burns have healed and you still are left with darker pigmentation I would suggest using a skin lightening agent such as hydoquinone once every night to those areas.  It is best to speak with a doctor first on how to use this product and best to get the product from your doctors office as well. Hope this was helpful!

The settings for and IPL treatment should be greatly adjusted going forward when a patient gets a burn. Please thoroughly discuss your outcome with your provider so they are very aware and make the necessary changes in your treatment to avoid this from ever happening again. The best product to use on a burn to speed up healing time and minimize any scarring is TNS Recovery Complex from SkinMedica.

Initially, you can apply aquaphor a couple of times daily to the burns and let them heal naturally without picking at any scabbing or blisters. Sun avoidance is recommended to reduce worsening of any post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Once the area is healed, skin lightening agents may be used such as hydroquinone. There are also non hydroquinone alternatives. These topical creams have to be used daily and consistently. Your clinician can instruct you on how to use these creams. The settings can also be adjusted to reduce the chances of reactions with the treatment or you can try a different hair removal machine, such as an Nd:yag laser that may be safer for your skin type and effective for hair removal. I recommend that you consult with someone for an alternative method since it seems that you are having issues with the IPL.

It may be possible to improve the pigmentation by using lightening agents like hydroquinone bleaching cream.  I recommend that you see a board certified dermatologist or a board certified plastic surgeon.