How Long After Having Had an IPL Treatment Can I Expose my Self to the Sun?

Question

I have recently had my second IPL session for hair removal on my face and will probably have one more session. I was wondering how long after my last session do I have to wait before being able to go the beach and tan?

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

Carmen Kavali, MD · Answer

I would say about 1 week after IPL, you could go out in the sun and tan, if you must.  Sun protection is critical to skin cancer prevention and to anti-aging, so I would always recommend NOT tanning.

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

I know your question is a valid question, but I am going to ask you a question instead.  Why do you want to go tanning at the beach after IPL?

	IPL is used to decrease or remove sun spots, melasma, dilated blood vessels, all of which can be caused or exacerbated by the sun.

	In addition to that, sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, as well as wrinkling of the skin.

	I would recommend not tanning after IPL at all.

How Long After Having Had an IPL Treatment Can I Expose my Self to the Sun?

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How Long After Having Had an IPL Treatment Can I Expose my Self to the Sun?

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Everything you need to know about IPL

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