How to Care For Your Skin after IPL Laser Hair Removal

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL treatments can help rejuvenate your skin and restore its natural glow. Acne, freckles, and discoloration can cause you to look older than you are, but IPL photo facials can boost collagen production, reverse the damage, and restore your glow. This type of laser treatment uses pulses of energy to penetrate the skin and stimulate regeneration. 

What Can You Expect After an Intense Pulsed Light Treatment?

An IPL hair removal treatment is convenient—it does not require a lengthy recovery period. Some people experience improvements immediately after their IPL session, but most see results within two to four weeks after the photo facial.

Also, note that some people might experience side effects like slight bruising, flaky or crusty skin, and darker spots or freckles. All of these are normal. The bruising might take a week or two to fade, while the spots will lighten after three to seven days. Meanwhile, flaking or crusting usually clears up ten days after the treatment.

Skincare Post - Intense Pulsating Light : What to Know

Note that a single IPL session might not be enough for patients with severe skin issues. For patients who need more rigorous treatment, it’s best to have several sessions spaced out every three weeks. Skin specialists also recommend having a microdermabrasion facial two to three weeks after the last IPL session. Microdermabrasion removes dead skin cells and reveals the revived skin.

Even if IPL treatments have no downtime, you still have to practice good skin care. Here are things you must avoid after your IPL treatment:

HOW TO AVOID: Staying in the Sun

One of the worst things you can do after an IPL hair removal treatment is to stay for too long under the sun. Skin gets particularly sensitive after photo facials, and sun exposure could cause painful sunburn. Cover up if you must go out—wear a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses for at least a week post-treatment.

AVOIDING: Hair Removal Treatments

Do not tweeze, wax, use depilatories, or undergo other hair removal treatments during your laser treatments. If you try other hair removal methods on the treated area, it can do more harm than good and prevent you from seeing the best results.

Note that from five days to two weeks post-IPL treatment, the treated area might experience hair shedding. This will look like new hair growth, but don’t worry—it is dead hair pushing out. If the growth and shedding bother you, exfoliation will help. Take warm showers and rub the treated area with a washcloth or a loofah to get rid of the worst of it.

AVOIDING: Letting Your Skin Dry Out

Apply moisturizing cream on the treated area twice a day, in the morning and at night. As you recover from a photo facial, your skin will dry out and peel—keep yourself comfortable by hydrating your skin regularly.

AVOID: Skin Irritants

Some moisturizers might not be suitable for you, however. If you have a laser facial treatment, avoid products that contain benzoyl peroxide, Retin-A, retinol, and salicylic or glycolic acids. If your regular skincare routine has products that contain these ingredients, skip them for two days after the treatment and opt for gentler cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.

Conclusion

Aging skin shows signs of damage like discoloration and a lackluster appearance. IPL hair removal treatments remedy that—this skin rejuvenation treatment reduces imperfections and improves your complexion. When you undergo an IPL treatment, you must protect your skin for up to a couple of weeks to ensure that you see the best results from the photo facial.