I received IPL today at a skin clinic. I now have red blocks/stripes on my arm. Is this normal? (photos)

Question

Today I opted to have IPL on my arm to treat a one year old scar. I had a patch test 3 weeks ago and everything went well. Today when I went in for my treatment, my arm became very hot and red (not just the initial "rubber band snapping" sensation). It has now been one hour since my treatment and I've developed red "blocks" or "stripes" on the treatment site. Is this normal? My clinician simply told me to put aloe vera gel and ice on it and stay out of the sun.

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks you for your question. Looks to me like you have a superficial burn from the IPL. it may scar or may take a bit longer to heal. Stay out of the sun and protect your burned skin. My question is why would the technician treat your scar with this technology, why not use a smller spot size and how did she determine the direction you were treated? Have you contacted the office? There are many ways to treat a scar, IPL for color and Microneedling for texture and to stimulate collagen to smooth out the scar. I would like to see follow up photos. Best of luck to you!

I received IPL today at a skin clinic. I now have red blocks/stripes on my arm. Is this normal? (photos)

Answers (1)

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I received IPL today at a skin clinic. I now have red blocks/stripes on my arm. Is this normal? (photos)

Answers (1)

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