After your treatment
The night of
Immediately after your treatment
If your skin feels warm or uncomfortable, you can apply cool, damp towels to the treated area as needed. Keep the towels cool rather than icy, and never apply ice directly to your skin.
For the remainder of the day, keep your skincare routine gentle and hydrating. Cleanse with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, and apply a simple moisturiser I recommend.
Avoid active skincare immediately after treatment, including retinol, exfoliating acids, scrubs and other products that may irritate or sensitise the skin.
Sun protection is essential
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun following IPL. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every morning and reapply throughout the day when exposed to sunlight.
Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear protective clothing and a hat where appropriate. Consistent sun protection is essential for both your recovery and your results.
How long will my skin take to settle?
For facial IPL, most clients can expect the skin to return to its normal appearance within approximately one week.
For the décolletage and neck, recovery can take around two weeks, particularly when there is a higher level of sun damage or pigmentation present.
Every skin responds differently, so your recovery time may vary depending on the intensity of your treatment and the amount of sun damage being treated.
The most important things to remember: keep your skin cool when needed, keep it hydrated, don't exfoliate or pick at the skin, and wear your SPF 50+ every day.
First 48 hours
For the first 48 hours, your goal is simple: keep the skin cool, calm, hydrated and protected.
Cleansing
Gently cleanse your skin with SkinCeuticals Simply Clean, Dermaviduals Total Cleansing Cream or Dermaviduals Cleansing Milk Cleanser and lukewarm water. Use your fingertips only, no cleansing brushes, face washers or scrubbing.
Pat the skin dry gently with a clean, soft towel. Do not rub.
Hydration
Keep your skincare simple. Apply a gentle moisturiser to help support the skin barrier and relieve any dryness or tightness.
What to avoid
For the full first 48 hours, please avoid:
- Retinol or retinoids
- AHA/BHA or other exfoliating acids
- Vitamin C or other potentially stimulating active serums
- Scrubs or exfoliating cleansers
- Peels
- Facial oils or products that may feel irritating
- Hot showers or baths
- Saunas and steam rooms
- Intense exercise
- Anything that creates significant heat or friction on the treated area
Do not pick, scratch or remove any of the treated pigmentation, even if your sun spots become darker or begin to feel dry.
Sun protection
Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible during your recovery. A hat and physical sun protection are strongly recommended when outdoors.
What you may notice
Over the first couple of days, your skin may feel warm in the shower, slightly red, dry or tight. Your treated sun spots may also become a bit darker before they begin to clear. This is an expected part of the IPL response, depending on pigment.
Over the following days, the treated pigmentation may become dry and lightly flake away naturally. Let this happen on its own.
After the first 48 hours, continue with gentle skincare, hydration and SPF 50+, while still avoiding exfoliation for the full 2 weeks.
Day 3 to 7
By day 3, your skin should be starting to settle. You may notice some dryness, tightness or light flaking, and your treated sun spots may look darker before they begin to shed. This is a normal part of the IPL healing process.
Your job this week is simple: hydrate, protect and leave the skin alone.
Avoid excessive heat, including saunas, steam rooms, hot baths and very hot showers, particularly while your skin is still feeling warm or sensitive.
Morning
Gently cleanse with SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser and lukewarm water.
Follow with your recommended gentle moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated and comfortable.
Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every morning.
Evening
Gently cleanse with SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, using your fingertips and lukewarm water.
Apply your recommended moisturiser to help support the skin barrier and reduce dryness or tightness.
If your skin still feels warm or sensitive, you can continue using a cool, damp towel for a few minutes as needed.
What you may notice
Your skin may become dry or slightly flaky, particularly over areas of pigmentation. Your treated sun spots can appear darker and may gradually develop a light, dry or crust-like appearance before naturally lifting from the skin.
Depending on the severity and depth of the pigmentation we are treating, your IPL treatment may have been performed at a slightly deeper intensity. When this is the case, you may notice darker, more defined stripes or areas of pigmentation following the treatment.
As these darker areas begin to shed, they may leave wider or more clearly defined areas of treated skin underneath. Please do not despair if you notice this; it can be a very positive indication that we have successfully identified and treated the areas of pigment we are targeting.
These changes also give us valuable information about how your skin has responded and can help us differentiate and map the areas we may choose to target during your next treatment. Every person's response is different, and your treatment settings are adjusted according to your individual skin and level of pigmentation.
Please do not pick, scratch, peel or manually remove any treated areas. Allow the skin to shed naturally.
Any mild redness should continue to settle during this period.
No exfoliation yet
Do not exfoliate for 2 weeks. This means no scrubs, exfoliating brushes, AHA/BHA acids, peels or other exfoliating treatments.
I also recommend continuing to avoid retinol and other strong active ingredients until your skin has completely settled and you have been advised that you can restart them.
Even if your skin looks and feels much better, wait until the full 2-week period has passed before introducing exfoliation.
By the end of the first week
For most facial IPL treatments, the skin should be looking and feeling much closer to normal by the end of the first week. The treated pigmentation should have started to clear, although results will continue to develop beyond this point.
Continue to prioritise gentle skincare, hydration and SPF 50+. Your skin does not need to be aggressively treated to achieve a good result; it needs time to recover and do its job.
Please do not use spray tan on the treated areas during the course of treatment! You may only use cream bronzer or powder on the areas. I can't stress this enough.
Week 2 to 4
By week 2, most facial skin should be fully settled and you can begin returning to your normal skincare routine. Your skin may still be undergoing changes beneath the surface, so this is the time to maintain your results rather than over-treat your skin.
Morning
Continue with your normal gentle cleanse using SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser.
Once your skin is completely comfortable and no longer dry, sensitive or flaky, you can gradually reintroduce your recommended antioxidant serum. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic can be a great option to support antioxidant protection.
Follow with your usual moisturiser and finish with SPF 50+ every morning.
Your SPF is non-negotiable. Consistent sun protection helps protect your results and reduces the chance of new pigmentation developing.
Evening
Cleanse with SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser and follow with your moisturiser.
If your skin is completely back to normal, you can gradually reintroduce your usual active products. If you use retinol or exfoliating acids, start slowly rather than returning to your full routine immediately. The long-term section here will give you a better idea of different products and why you would be recommended to use them.
If your skin is still feeling dry, sensitive or reactive, keep your routine simple for longer. There is no need to rush your active skincare.
Exfoliation
Once you have passed the first 2 weeks and your skin has completely settled, gentle exfoliation can be reintroduced if it is appropriate for your skin.
Side note
If we've treated your neck or chest or any area below your chin, including your hands, please remember the pigment will be visible for up to 3 to 4 weeks before flaking off and falling away. Please remember to keep these areas hydrated and do not exfoliate for four weeks. You're free to exfoliate your face two weeks after treatment using a gentle exfoliator such as Dermaviduals peeling cream.
What to expect
Over weeks 2 to 4, you should continue to see improvements in the appearance of pigmentation, overall tone and clarity. Remember that IPL results are progressive and your skin will continue to respond after the initial healing period.
For the face, most clients are back to their normal routine within the first week. The neck and décolletage can take longer to fully settle, particularly when treating more significant sun damage.
If you are unsure whether your skin is ready to restart an active product, check with me first, particularly if you are still experiencing redness, dryness or sensitivity.
Long term
Pigment control comes first
I may use vitamin C, vitamin A and ingredients such as Dermaviduals Whitening Concentrate or SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense. The goal is not simply less pigmentation. It's clear, glowing, healthy, vibrant, even-looking skin.
I introduce these actives at the right stage for your skin, particularly after laser or other treatments, because timing matters.
Option 1, Dermaviduals
Dermaviduals is my preferred approach when the priority is barrier health, hydration, lipid replenishment and maintaining the skin's natural structure.
Cleansing:
- Cleansing Milk with DMS
- Total Cleansing Cream
Barrier support:
- DMS Base Cream Classic
- DMS Base Cream High Classic
- DMS Base Cream High Classic Plus
Option 2, SkinCeuticals
If we choose SkinCeuticals, I generally take a more active, antioxidant approach.
Antioxidants:
- C E Ferulic
Hydration:
- Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Skin renewal
We can gradually introduce glycolic acid, AHAs, BHAs or other actives when your skin is ready.
Please tell me about anything your doctor has prescribed for you, including any skin treatments, before we start.
The important part
You do not need everything.
I would much rather give you the right products that you actually use consistently than a bathroom full of expensive skincare you're not sure how to use.
Your routine will change as your skin changes. That's where I come in. I keep looking at your skin and adjusting your skincare as you progress.
You can purchase your recommended Dermaviduals or SkinCeuticals products directly through me. If you're running low, simply text me and I can prepare your order and post it straight to you.
With active skincare, authenticity, storage and provenance matter.
And one final non-negotiable: SPF 50+ every day.
What is normal, and what is not?
IPL can create some changes in the skin that may look a little alarming if you haven't experienced them before. Some of the things you may see are actually signs that your treatment is doing exactly what we intended.
These things are usually normal
- Warmth for the first 1 to 2 hours. Your skin may feel warm, similar to mild sun exposure, immediately after your treatment. This should gradually settle.
- Mild redness: Some redness or pinkness is common immediately after treatment and should progressively reduce.
- Darker pigmentation: Your sun spots may become darker, more defined or more noticeable over the following days. This is an expected response as the treated pigment comes to the surface.
- Darker stripes or defined areas. If we have treated deeper or more established pigmentation, you may notice darker stripes or larger defined areas. Don't panic. These can be a positive indication that we have effectively targeted the pigment, and they can also help us identify the areas we may want to treat at your next appointment.
- Dryness and tightness: Your skin may feel dry, tight or slightly rough as it recovers.
- Light flaking: Treated pigmentation may become dry and lightly flake away over several days. Allow this to happen naturally. Feel free to keep your skin hydrated with your favourite gentle serum and cream. Your SkinCeuticals creams are also fine if not active.
- Pigment looking worse before it looks better: This is one of the most common things clients worry about. IPL pigmentation can temporarily look darker before it clears. Give your skin time to complete the process.
What is not normal
Please contact us if you experience severe or increasing pain, rather than mild warmth or sensitivity.
Contact us if you develop significant swelling, blistering, weeping, severe crusting or an open wound in the treated area.
You should also contact us if redness is becoming increasingly intense rather than settling, or if you are concerned that your skin is developing an unusual reaction.
Most importantly
Please don't pick, peel, scratch or exfoliate the treated areas, even if the pigmentation looks dark or feels dry. Let your skin naturally shed the treated pigment.
Remember: darker does not necessarily mean damaged, and flaking does not mean something has gone wrong. These can be normal parts of the IPL response.
If you're ever unsure, send us a photo or get in touch. We can help you determine whether what you're seeing is part of the expected healing process.
What signs mean I should call you or see a doctor?
Any questions you may have, please feel free to contact me if something doesn't look or feel right.
Please contact us immediately if you experience:
- Severe, worsening or persistent pain that is not settling.
- Blistering or significant skin lifting in the treated area.
- Open, weeping or broken skin.
- Significant swelling, particularly if it is increasing rather than settling.
- Severe or rapidly increasing redness or heat in the treated area.
- Marked changes in skin colour that concern you, particularly grey, white or unusually dark areas beyond the expected treated pigmentation.
- Signs of infection, including increasing pain, swelling, warmth, pus or spreading redness.
- Any reaction that feels significantly different from what we have explained to you or causes you concern.
If you are unsure, please contact us. Do not pick, peel, scratch or attempt to treat the area yourself.
Your skin may look darker, dry or slightly flaky as part of the normal IPL response; this alone is not usually a reason to panic.
If you cannot reach me and you are worried, see your GP or go to your nearest emergency department. In an emergency, call 000.