Darker brown spots after IPL treatment. What should I do?

Question

I had 3 IPL laser treatments with my last one in late March. My results were initially amazing, but after one day of a somewhat warm day, but wearing a good sunscreen, not only did my brown spots come back, but they are darker. I went back to physician and was told that my skin picks up pigment quickly due to my Mediterranean skin. We're going into summer and she wants me to use a retinol and vitamin A cream by Obagi. I'm scared this will do more damage than good. What should I do?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Dark spots need a combination approach to get improvement. These can be improved with a combination of lasers, Aerolase, microneedling/prp, skin lightening, peels, and skin care. Sun protection is essential. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Reza Tirgari, MD · Answer

IPL is a great treatment for pigmented area, however we caution clients that the pigmented areas may first *darken* before they improve.  This should always be communicated to the client.
In that situation, it actually indicates that the IPL went well.  Typically by a month later, you should notice significant lightening.  If a bleaching cream is indicated to help expedite this process, your doctor can discuss this with you.
Darker-skinned clients typically see this response more so than lighter-skinned ones do.  The choice of the IPL machine as well as the settings can also play a role.  If you are seeing a reputable practitioner, they should be very experienced with these situations and should be your next point of contact.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question Peretta. I understand your concern.
IPL is a great treatment for facial rejuvenation. For those with darker skin types sun can lead to visible pigmentation. Products containing retinoids or vitamin A will help. Please consult with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Katherine Dee, MD · Answer

Hi there-- it sounds like the IPL worked well. Most of the time, treatments for sun damage do not remove the spots entirely. Treatment merely lightens the spots so they are less (or much less) noticeable. Exposure to the sun will darken them up again. This is true whether you are using topicals, peels or IPL. Sometimes an aggressive treatment can eliminate pigment entirely, but this is not usually the case and can be risky. You should be on a daily skin brightening serum (Obagi is great if a bit expensive), Vit C and Vit A (retinol). Sounds like your doc has a good plan. Always wear a strong sun block and stay out of the sun as much as possible if you want to keep the sun lentigos at bay.

Darker brown spots after IPL treatment. What should I do?

Answers (4)

Answer: Sun damage and IPL

Answer: Sun damage and IPL

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Darker brown spots after IPL treatment. What should I do?

Answers (4)

Answer: Sun damage and IPL

Answer: Sun damage and IPL

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Everything you need to know about IPL

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