Does IPL cause hypopigmentation, and what can be done to treat it?

Intense pulsed light is a popular hair removal treatment that is usually safe when used by an experienced practitioner.

However, there are documented risks for IPL including hypopigmentation (white spots) and hyperpigmentation (dark spots).

Your white spots might be a case of Hypopigmentation. My suggestion for the treatment of your possible hypopigmentation:

1. Avoid the possible trigger - IPL

2. Consult a qualified doctor for a formal diagnosis

3. Topical creams to stimulate pigmentation recovery

Hypopigmentation is a challenging condition to treat. Please seek advice from an expert doctor.

As Dr Boey has explained, IPL can cause complications such as hyper and hypopigmentation. No aesthetic procedure including IPL is 100% risk-free but a combination of:

1) Practitioner's experience

2) Appropriate post-procedure care

3) Medical-Grade aesthetic machines carried by clinics can minimize the risks.

Unfortunately, there is no efficacious medical treatment for hypopigmentation to date, and there is a risk of permanence. Hypopigmentation may take up to 6-12 months to resolve.

I would advise:

1) Avoiding topicals that can cause skin irritation such as chemicals (e.g AHAs) and physical (exfoliators)

2) Use a broad spectrum SPF 50 + sunscreen on a daily basis

You may wish to seek further medical advice from a medical doctor.

It is likely that the IPL is correlated with the hypo pigmentation spots.

Do consider stopping the IPL for now and give the hypo pigmented lesions a chance to improve.