Burns from IPL?
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is a laser technology used in a number of cosmetic applications, mostly to remove hair and blemishes from the skin.
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IPL delivers high intensities of light for a short duration
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It makes use of specialized lamps
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It is becoming an increasingly popular epilation treatment
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It is also used in the process of skin photorejuvenation
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This type of technology offers long term, permanent results so that it is preferred by many patients and cosmetic clinics over other forms of cosmetic applications.
There are times when patients do report burns due to IPL treatment. Now, these burns are often temporary, causing only a little pain or discomfort to the patient. In a few days, the burns and the associated pain will subside.
Causes of Burns from IPL Treatment
Burns from an IPL treatment can occur when any of the following things happen:
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The patient is not the best candidate for an IPL procedure
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The wrong laser intensity was used for the treatment
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The patient’s laser skin type was not properly assessed
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Symptoms of an IPL burn
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Severe pain – Although some pain is expected from an IPL treatment, the main will only be mild and may be a lot less than those experienced with sunburn.
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White patches on skin with blisters – This is a sign of a second degree burn that can occur with laser treatments like IPL.
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Redness with oozing – It is expected that treated skin appears red right after a procedure, but when it is accompanied by oozing, it could be a sign of a burn.
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Ground coffee burn marks on skin – Many patients report ground coffee like spots on their skin as a sign that they experienced an IPL burn.
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Burns from IPL Laser Recovery
First Degree Burns
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Recovery time for a first degree burn from an IPL treatment is short and anywhere between a few days to a week.
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First degree burns are going to be very painful, but they will not result in any permanent scarring.
Second Degree Burns
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This is a rare complication of IPL treatment, but it can occur with improper laser use and calibration.
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Second degree burns are going to take longer to heal than first degree burns, around 10 to 14 days.
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These will most likely leave a scar or leave the skin discolored
Deep tissue second degree burns and third degree burns are not likely to happen with IPL treatments.