For dark african or african american skin, is photorejuvenation (IPL) a good idea?

Dr. Irwin
October 5, 2014
I am a black African, can I do photo rejuvenation?

In general, the answer to this is no!    Photorejuventation excels at removing/reducing red spots, blotches and dilated veins/capillaries and in most darker skin types, this type of redness isn’t a problem (good thing!).

Photorejvenation also excels at removing brown spots that are fairly superficial and related to sun damage  – think light to medium freckles (lentigines).  Also not usually a problem in darker skin types.   Other reader questions and answers on this.

If the pigment problem is deeper – as in melasma – photorejuvenation can make this type of pigment worse.  Also, in some darker skin types the brown spots are small and slightly raised.   If you can feel a small bump when you run your finger over a brown spot, the IPL will generally not be effective.    This may be a condition called stucco keratoses so ask your doctor.   These can removed by a different method by an expereinced dermatologist, if needed.

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

 

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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