I have brown spots getting darker with IPL.

Dr. Irwin
February 19, 2013
I received three IPL treatments so far within the past 3 months, and I could see improvement with the first one, but with the second treatment, I noticed my dark spot got darker after a month from the date of my 2nd treatment. I did have another one about month ago, and my dark spot is darker, wider now. What do I need to do?

Okay, so there are several things to think about here:

  1. Where do you live and how much light are you getting every day? If you live in Arizona, for example, and like to be outdoors, IPL may not be a great choice for you unless you are triple sunscreening and super compulsive.
  2.  What skin type are you? The darker your skin the more difficult (especially in sunny climates) the IPL is to adjust the settings perfectly.
  3. Are your brown spots from sun damage or could they be melasma (see your doctor) and, are you using oral birth control? If the brown spots are more hormonal, IPL is known to sometimes make these worse.
  4. And lastly, be sure you are showing your dermatologist the problem and going to a physician for these treatments. A spa technician won’t have a clue how to help you.

Hope this helps,

Dr. Irwin

Next, read more information on IPL Treatments and find out what other readers are asking about brown spots.

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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