I Have Some Light Olive Skin Tone with Freckles, is IPL a Good Thing for Me

If you have a tendency to easily tan when you are in the sun, IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light Treatment, may cause you to get dark discolorations after treatment. Check with an experienced specialist before getting IPL Treatments. In my practice, I will do a test spot (or spots) before doing a complete treatment. It may also be worth considering light peels such as alpha hydroxy acid (such as glycolic acid) peels for pigmentation, such as freckles.

As discussed, the darker your skin tone the more difficult IPL treatment becomes.  I would consider topical treatments for brown spots first.  This may improve your skin pigmentation alone.  Also, the creams tend to quiet everything down so that if you do opt for a laser treatment it will be somewhat safer for you.  Don't be set on an IPL though-- discuss options with your provider. Good luck!

Yes. IPL when used appropriately can be safe in darker skin types. More importantly is what issues need to be addressed. IPL is ideal for softening “reds and browns” including broken capillaries, sun damage, solar lentigines and other evidence of sun damage. When used at appropriate settings, IPL can be both safe and effective in darker skin types.