What should you know about IPL sun spot removal?

Intense pulsed light delivers broad flashes that are absorbed more strongly by pigment than by surrounding skin. The treated spot may temporarily look darker before it fades as the surface sheds. IPL is generally considered for flat, clearly assessed areas of sun-related pigment on sites such as the face, chest, hands, or arms. It does not remove the causes of sun damage, and new spots can develop with further ultraviolet exposure. A dark or changing mark should be examined rather than treated cosmetically.

Arrange a consultation so the clinician can review your skin tone, medications, recent tanning, tendency to form dark marks, and the appearance of each lesion. Follow instructions about sun avoidance and products before the appointment. Afterward, use the recommended gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and broad-spectrum sunscreen; do not pick, scrub, or peel flaky areas. Ask whether IPL Photofacial, Chemical Peel, Picosecond Laser Treatment, or Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal) is more appropriate for your particular mark.

Seek prompt medical assessment for a spot that changes in size, shape, or colour, develops an irregular border, repeatedly bleeds, crusts, or becomes persistently painful or itchy. After treatment, contact the clinic if redness or swelling is worsening, blisters appear, skin breaks down, or pigment changes are spreading. Urgent care is appropriate for breathing difficulty or facial swelling after any product or procedure.

Which spots have been diagnosed as sun spots, and which need examination first? What settings and aftercare fit my skin tone? How should I manage medicines or skincare products around treatment? What changes would mean I should return for review?