How to care for burnt skin after Limelight IPL treatment?

Question

My sister(dark skinned; hispanic) had an IPL treatment done and she had burn On her entire cheeks. Thankfully, the blusters healed well and the darkened areas peeled off okay. My main concern is the possible PIH Over the areas that have scabbed off. She had melasma over the cheeks and that was the reason why she had the IPL treatment. it's only been 2 wks since the treatment and we are so concerned of the PIH. when can my sister start using hydroquinone ointment?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Daisy.  Your sister should be able to use the hydroquinone after she is completely healed and this depends on how deeply she was burned.  If there are no textural changes to the skin and no redness or irritation, then she is probably ready to start the hydroquinone.  Ultimately, you should check with the treating office first.On a side note, IPL will most often make Melasma worse.  Even in cases where a laser or IPL can help decrease the visibility of Melasma to start, it typically rebounds to the same level or even darker than it was before.  You may want to consider having your sister opt out of future IPL treatments both for fear of getting burned and also for ear of making her Melasma worse.  To see examples of before and after photos of Melasma treatment in Los Angeles patients, click on the link below.

Stephen J. Ronan, MD, FACS · Answer

Crusting and small blistering is normal.  A deeper injury would be less likely and would be treated after a physical exam.

How to care for burnt skin after Limelight IPL treatment?

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