Female who underwent IPL procedure

My forehead looks really similar to yours. I had this done in September, but my skin is also super sensitive to even sunblock now. Are you asian? I found out afterwards this treatment is not ideal for Asian/Hispanic skintypes. Hope you heal quicker than me.

Thank you for your detailed review. I had a bad outcome from IPL as well, and I would not wish the experience on my worst enemy, and an MD did mine! (See my review). I really feel that the procedure aged my skin at least 10 years. It's like the heat fried my collagen or something. My skin is still oily, but looks severely dehydrated all the time, w/ superficial wrinkles, and depressions, and what looks like bumps and giant pores. The texture just generally looks bad. I really feel that something is wrong w/ the technology - the machines are maybe not consistent in giving safe treatments, and sometimes harm the skin, and there is no way to predict who will get a bad outcome and who won't. I made a report to the FDA, and I encourage everyone who has had an adverse outcome to do the same. The FDA does not read the internet - it ONLY looks into an issue if a LOT of people make their experiences known to the FDA by making a report. You can make a report at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/ucm053074.htm

Hypopigmentation ( white spots on your skin) is usually permanent. The best treatment plan at this time is to wear sunblock ( with zinc) everyday and avoid the sun. Studies show there is a chance melanocytes ( brown cells can return to that area) but you must stay out of the sun. The Obagi system will turn over your cells get rid of old skin and bring your skin back to its original color. This in return will help the "white spots" not be as noticeable. If you get a tan your skin will get darker but the white spots will never get darker. Hang in there depending on how deep the damage, studies show that it could take up to 3 years to see some of they hypopigmentation go away but sometimes it is permanent.

Obagi does work wonders. You need to use . the entire line. It's expensive

Obagi is brilliant for face only real works , I had a wax burnt mark on my face was realy deep and dark but with obagi it disappeared ..

I was told ipl treatments are done in series of 5 ipl treatments. I didn't notice significant improvement after first treatment. My family commented saying my skin did look better than before treatment. However now after 2nd treatment I get sick to my stomach when I look in the mirror. My sister concern with my self esteem she made me promise putting on make up would be first thing I do when I get up in mornings.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am trying to choose between IPL and Pixel treatment for my skin (olive/sallow complexion). I am relieved to see that the burn marks on your face cleared up. That would be frightening to me as as I have a lot of pigmentation and retain scars for years. Your skin looks great. Wish I could have seen a before picture.

i go in tomorrow will i be able to drive myself home? this looks scary to me and i already paid for the procedure. they have done great stuff for me before and did the bbl on my daughters underarms to get rid of dark hair that left a shadow. never noticed any burnt places or peeling or marks. her hair just sort of disappeared and now she doesn't have to shave. but thats not the face. it did hurt she did six treatments but it worked and nothing else had. she was embarrassed by that dark shadow left after shaving and its gone now. I am worried about my face and chest. i look at my skin and it looks ok on my face but i can see the sun damage on my chest. i see some wrinkles around my eyes from squinting. and skin is starting to sag i guess from sun damage. But im 53 so i think its about time to do something about all of that tanning i did in the 70s. scared about the pain. and dont want to be scared. A dermatologist is doing it so I do feel better that a doctor will be there doing it. and she is my age had it done and looks great. younger than me. But i dont do pain well. How will i feel afterwards for a few days? will i be able to pick up my kids from school and stuff? Im a widow. so its me there is no one else to do the driving around. I do not think i would have gotten this if i had read all of these reviews beforehand. But i go in at 8:30 in the morning for an hour on numbing cream. i wish they would just put me under and wake me up when its over. I am scared!!!! Is anyone really happy with their results? after the initial two weeks healing time or three or however long it takes. ugh.. i am going to need an xanax before i go in to the doctor tomorrow im so scared right now. Kiran

Hi Callei, You say you didn't see any improvement after one treatment, you must complete a series of treatments to obtain good results. Why did you get upset after the second treatment? What did you see in the mirror? From what I understand and have heard if you are looking to have a more healthy look to your skin, brighter, tighter you may initially have a redness like a sunburn for a day or two after the procedure. If you are treating sun damage you will find and increase in pigment that will slough off in a week or two. Not sure what your treatment was for. Hopefully in the end you will be happy with your results. Keep us informed!

I don't use make up & thinking I'd have after IPL. Lol, I don't think so. I'll just stick to Obagi.

hi, did the brown peel off? i read u can have coffee ground brown. not sure abovut the hypopigmentation. hope all gets solved. let me know. best of luck!

Honey, you got burnt, bottom line. Too aggressive on the providers part.