IPL Side Effects from Melasma Treatment

September 20, 2008
Asked By:Danai in mt laurel nj

I had a IPL treatment over a week ago.  Prior to this treatment, I had a treatment in April which was fine. I had mentioned to my Dr. that I had recently been in the sun. She said that it looked like I was getting the beginning stages of Melasma and we should be aggressive with the treatment and do IPL on my entire face so I trusted her treatment plan. I went for a follow up to this recent treatment because I now have on both cheeks a pattern which is much like a stripe effect on one cheek and a coffee spill on the other cheeks. I had no sign of discoloration in the areas that are now damaged. She told me to wait two weeks and come back and that she will treat again. I can't really cover this damage with makeup and I look like a scary creature. I am becoming increasingly worried that I will never have an even skin tone again. She assured me that there was no perm skin damage but I am not sure if I am being naive to believe her. Please help me.

Answers (12)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
VOTED MOST HELPFUL
July 20, 2015

Answer: Prescription bleaching creams would be appropriate now.

4 people found this helpful
David Hansen, MDDermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
VOTED MOST HELPFUL
July 20, 2015

Answer: Prescription bleaching creams would be appropriate now.

4 people found this helpful
David Hansen, MDDermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
MOST RECENT
November 6, 2016

Answer: IPL for melasma

Anil R. Shah, MDBoard Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
MOST RECENT
November 6, 2016

Answer: IPL for melasma

Anil R. Shah, MDBoard Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
September 6, 2012

Answer: IPL not a good choice for melasma

Sam Naficy, MD, FACSBoard Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
September 6, 2012

Answer: IPL not a good choice for melasma

Sam Naficy, MD, FACSBoard Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

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June 12, 2016

Answer: IPL is your worst choice for melasma

Harold J. Kaplan, MDBoard Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
June 12, 2016

Answer: IPL is your worst choice for melasma

Harold J. Kaplan, MDBoard Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
February 2, 2009

Answer: Fraxel works better than IPL for melasma

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
February 2, 2009

Answer: Fraxel works better than IPL for melasma

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
January 26, 2009

Answer: IPL is not a great melasma treatment.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MDOculoplastic Surgeon, Board Certified in Ophthalmology
January 26, 2009

Answer: IPL is not a great melasma treatment.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MDOculoplastic Surgeon, Board Certified in Ophthalmology

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