IPL Treatment Pre & Post Care Instructions

What to Do Before Your IPL Treatment

• Avoid direct sun exposure for 2-4 weeks prior to your treatment.   

• Apply a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater and reapply as needed.   

• Passive sun exposure is acceptable, but tanning either outside or in a tanning bed, is not. You cannot be treated if you have a sunburn, recently tanned, or have sunless tanner on your skin.   

• Avoid the following active ingredients in treatment areas 7 days prior to treatment: topical retinoids (e.g. Retin-A, tretinoin, adapalene), vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid. If you are concerned about any of the products you are using, please ask your provider.  

• Treatment area(s) should be shaved within 1-2 days of treatment if hair is present. The Intense Pulsed Light therapy may cause unwanted hair loss in the treatment area.   

• If you have had other skin rejuvenation procedures in the past month, please discuss with your provider to ensure adequate spacing between those treatments and any IPL treatments.     

• Avoid filler for 1 month prior to your IPL treatment, as the effects of Intense Pulsed Light on filler are unknown.  

• Botox can be performed 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after IPL treatment.  

• Avoid unnecessary blood-thinning medications (e.g. NSAIDs like ibuprofen), but please take all medications that are prescribed by your primary physician, as you normally would.  

• Come with clean, product-free skin and loose-fitting clothes over all treatment areas.  

• If you have a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in any treatment areas, notify your provider, as pre-treatment with an anti-viral medication will be required. Your provider will give specific instructions. 

• Notify your provider of all medications you are taking as some medications can be photosensitizing. 

• We recommend you wait at least 6 months after isotretinoin (Accutane) treatment before having a IPL procedure. 

What to Do After Your IPL Treatment

FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS 

• A physical sunscreen will be applied in sun-exposed treatment areas immediately following the procedure.  

• A sunburn-like sensation in treated areas is common. Cool compresses and aloe gel may be used until the sensation subsides.   

• There may be redness and slight swelling around the treated vessels.  

• Avoid tight clothing, makeup, and heavy or petroleum-based products in treated areas.  

FOR THE NEXT 72 HOURS 

• Keep the skin cool and avoid higher body temperatures that might result from hot tubs, saunas, or intense exercise. Let your provider know if you experience irritation as you resume normal activities. 

• In rare cases, crusting, blistering, prolonged redness, or discoloration can occur.  
  If you observe any of these rare side effects, please call your provider for further instructions. 

FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS 

• You may notice darkening of your pigmented spots after treatment.  These darker, scaly areas will flake off.   Do not rub, exfoliate, or pick the treated areas.  

• Avoid the following active ingredients in treated areas: topical retinoids (e.g. Retin-A, tretinoin, adapalene), vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid.  

FOR THE NEXT 14 DAYS 

• Prior to going outdoors, apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater on all treated areas and reapply as needed. Please continue safe sun practices throughout your treatments.    

• Avoid any treatments that exfoliate the skin including facials, extractions, waxing, and threading.