How do I get rid of hypopigmentation after IPL treatment?

It sounds like you may be suffering from hypopigmentation from IPL use. This can happen with many laser and light treatments, and the risk is higher with overuse of/aggressive laser/light treatments meant for pigmentation removal, as well as in individuals with darker skin.

Your question brings to mind one of my pet topics, which is the overuse of Q-switch laser and IPL toning in medical aesthetics. Many clinics advertise their treatments as a solve it all solution, promoting qswitch/IPL treatments to help with everything from pigmentation to even acne and firming.

Many salons and clinics also repeatedly use IPL for unsuitable darker skin types which results in painful scars. It appeals to the average consumer as well because of the low cost and instant gratification.

It is important to remember that:

1. Qswitch/Picosecond lasers are intended primarily to benefit pigmentation problems, they DO NOT help much with skin tightening, and CERTAINLY NOT for acne! There are much better options for skin tightening and acne, and clinics still using Qswitch lasers for acne reflect a lack of knowledge and/or limited equipment.
2. IPL treatments are NOT SUITABLE for individuals with darker skin.

The first thing you should do is discontinue your IPL treatments. Hypopigmentation after laser and light treatments are particularly hard to treat and you should find a good dermatologist or aesthetic GP with special interest in skin to treat it early.

If you are fortunate, the problem can be transient and may be improved with some topical creams in a short time. Otherwise, it can take many months to even years to improve. Fractional lasers or microneedling are some treatments options, but require a lot of patience.

Consult your dermatologist/doctor early, all the best!

It is truly unfortunate that you suffered the above. I couldn't agree more with Dr Chua, and while some loss of pigmentation can reverse over months to years, much of it can end up being permanent.

Other than what Dr Chua has mentioned, There are some lasers that promote repigmentation, but these are very rare in Singapore. Some patients resort to tattoo artists to blend the skin tones with skin coloured tattoos.

In any case, do see a doctor to determine if this is true loss of pigmentation, or if it is is the reverse - general lightening of the overall skin tone secondary to the IPL, with missed areas (Areas that were overlooked and not treated) that are now darker, thereby creating a picture of hypopigmented areas.

Hope this is of additional help.

Best regards,

Dr Shane Tan

Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation can occasionally occur after Intense Pulsed Light or IPL treatment for certain skin types. Most of the time, the problem is transient and pigmentation changes will resolve gradually with time.

Topical anti-oxidants like Vitamin C serums and mild anti-inflammatory creams can help. Should long-term hypopigmentation occur, treatment of the area can include ultraviolet light and certain lasers.

As hypopigmentation is uncommon with careful usage of the IPL, you should consult a doctor for an assessment. Fungal infection and autoimmune diseases can also cause hypopigmentation. Cheers!

Regards,
Dr. Terence Tan

Hypopigmentation is a more difficult condition to treat than hyperpigmentation.

You will have to be patient and allow the skin color to return. However, if intense energy settings are used during your IPL treatments, damage to the skin can occur.

During the healing process, hypopigmentation can happen due to the loss of pigment cells in the area.

There is no way for the area to re-pigment if there are no pigment cells in that area to produce the pigments.