Swelling After IPL Treatments?

Occasionally patients will experience swelling after IPL, which may be do the procedure itself, numbing cream (if used before treatment), and/or any topical products applied after the procedure. This swelling often resolves within a week. Taking Benadryl, using cool compresses, topical over the counter hydrocortisone, and sleeping with two pillows can be helpful. However, I would still recommend you call the physician office whom administered the treatment and inform them of your response, so they may evaluate and treat you accordingly. 

I have seen significant swelling occur in patients after IPL, particularly those patients that have reactive skin (e.g. get hives easily with bug bites or scratches).  Some patients will have swelling that lasts up to 1 week.  For more severe cases, I've prescribed a 3 day course of prednisone which shortens the duration of swelling.  It would be important to report to you doctor whether there are any blisters, which can indicate injury to the skin.  Otherwise, I have never seen swelling that did not subside within days on it's own, so I wouldn't be too worried.  I agree with the previous post that swelling may sometimes be due to allergies to things like numbing creams.  Either way, it is best that you contact the office where you had this done so they can promptly evaluate you.