How long should I wait for an IPL treatment after cosmetic surgery?

For certain cosmetic procedures that do not involve the face, IPL can even be done during surgery. However for cosmetic surgery involving the face, ie facelift, upper and or lower blepharoplasty, I recommend waiting about 4-6 weeks. IPL, or intense pulse light is a very effective treatment for age spots, sun spots, discoloration, melasma, rosacea, broken capillaries. Consult with your plastic surgeon for an individualized plan to best suit your needs. Let us know if you have any further questions - we're here to help! 

IPL can be done the same day as facelifts or other comsetic surgeries. If you are swollen or bruised this will also help.  Best, Dr. Emer.

In  my opinion, it depends upon the reason for performing the IPL.  For post surgical erythema, 2 to 3 weeks is a reasonable time to wait. For post-surgical hyperpigmentation,  lentigenes or skin rejuvenation , six to eight weeks is more appropriate. It is important to have a IPL expert to help with your treatment plan. It differs in every individual.

Good afternoon and thank you for your question! Getting an intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment on your face after cosmetic surgery is fine as long as you did not have surgery involving the face. If you did have surgery involving the face I would recommend waiting at least four to six weeks until getting an IPL treatment to that area. Best of luck! For more information, please feel free to visit our website!

The timing of IPL depends on where the surgery was performed. If the surgery was performed on an area other than the face, then IPL can be done at any time. IPL after a face procedure should be delayed until most of the swelling and healing has completed (usually 3-4 weeks) so the light has maximal effect on the pigment. This should be cleared by the surgeon prior to proceeding with IPL. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
IG: @drjohnsonlee