IPL on Sun Exposed Skin

Question

Can IPL be used on sun exposed skin? If not, how much time should a person be unexposed to the sun before and after treatment?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

IPL treatments should not be performed after a patient has had recent sunburn or sun tan. IPL treatments are meant to target the heat generated by the light source at areas of the skin tissue such as sun spots and small blood vessels. Treating a patient that  has recently been tanned or burned can cause the light energy to focus instead on the surface of the skin where the pigment or redness from sun exposure is concentrated.
We recommend no less than 1 week and in most cases 2 weeks since last significant sun exposure.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

It is recommended to wait 2 weeks post-sun exposure prior to receiving IPL treatment. It is also recommended to wait 1-2 weeks post IPL before going out into the sun to limit potential hyperpigmentation. It is never recommended to receive IPL treatment with an active tan.

This response is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider.

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH · Answer

The targets for IPL are background redness and defined brown spots. Tanning distracts the IPL light, and will cause more heat to be absorbed into the area, risking a burn. Sunburned skin has the same issue, in addition to adding irritation and inflammation to an area that is already damaged.

	Wait a month after getting a tan or sunburn before IPL for the best results. For even better results... don't tan or burn!

S. Randolph Waldman, MD · Answer

An IPL procedure should not be done on those with a recent tan or burn !  Doing so may lead to burns and other complications.  We do not perform IPL procedures on any of our patients until there is no evidence of a recent tan.  This usually requires at least two weeks of avoidance or use of sun blocks at all times!

IPL on Sun Exposed Skin

Answers (5)

Answer: IPL not a good idea on tanned or sunburned skin.

Answer: IPL not a good idea on tanned or sunburned skin.

Answer: Should not do IPL on those with recent sun exposure

Answer: Should not do IPL on those with recent sun exposure

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Everything you need to know about IPL

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IPL on Sun Exposed Skin

Answers (5)

Answer: IPL not a good idea on tanned or sunburned skin.

Answer: IPL not a good idea on tanned or sunburned skin.

Answer: Should not do IPL on those with recent sun exposure

Answer: Should not do IPL on those with recent sun exposure

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.