IPL and laser aftercare | Huidzorg Amstelland, Amstelveen

At a glance

Visible recovery (downtime)

2 days to 2 weeks

Redness, swelling, light scabs. Pigment first darkens and then flakes off

Preparation: No retinol, acids or self-tanner for 3 days before
Hot showers, sauna, swimming and intense exercise: Not for the first 24 to 48 hours
Sun and sunbeds: Avoid for the first 4 weeks after the treatment
Retinol, acids and self-tanner: Use again after 1 week

Retinol, acids (such as glycolic, salicylic and lactic acid), arbutin and self-tanner are also called active ingredients. They irritate the skin. If it says "do not use", skip these products during that period. Plain, mild skincare is usually fine.

Before the treatment

Do not use products with active ingredients for 3 days before the treatment. Examples are self-tanning creams, retinol, arbutin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid.

What to expect

What you see after the treatment depends on what was treated.

Broken capillaries and thread veins

After treatment of thread veins or broken capillaries you will see mild redness and swelling. Light crusting can occur. Immediately after the treatment the veins may turn dark red, purple or greyish. The result is visible 2 to 4 weeks after the treatment. For an optimal result we recommend 1 to 3 treatments.

Pigmentation

After pigmentation treatment, the pigment spots first become darker or greyer. The pigment then flakes off. The result is visible 2 to 4 weeks after the treatment. For an optimal result we recommend 1 to 3 treatments.

After the treatment

Do not use products with active ingredients for the first week after the treatment (see above).
Avoid picking, scratching and rough rubbing of the treated area.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid intense exercise, hot showers, baths and saunas.
For the first 4 weeks after the treatment, stay out of the sun as much as possible and do not use sunbeds. Use SPF 30 to 50 and reapply it every two hours. At the practice we have SPF products from Dermaceutic and Alpha-H.
Wear a cap or hat to limit sun exposure.

When should you contact us?

Red, warm or flaking skin is part of recovery. Contact us if you notice any of the following:

Blisters appear in the treated area.
After 4 weeks you see no change in the vessels or spots, or the spots have become darker.
The pain increases or persists instead of fading.
The redness or swelling increases after a few days instead of decreasing.
You see pus or yellow or green crusts, or you develop a fever. These can be signs of an infection.
Blisters or open areas appear that are not described in the recovery on your page.

Frequently asked questions

Why have my pigment spots become darker?

That is normal. After the treatment, pigment spots first become darker or greyer. The pigment then flakes off.

My veins are dark red or purple. Is that normal?

Yes. Straight after the treatment, veins may turn dark red, purple or greyish. Mild redness, swelling and light scabs can also occur.

When will I see the result?

2 to 4 weeks after the treatment, for thread veins and broken capillaries as well as pigmentation.

How many treatments do I need?

For an optimal result we recommend 1 to 3 treatments.

Can I touch the scabs or flakes?

No. Do not pick or scratch the treated skin and avoid rough rubbing.

When can I exercise or use a sauna again?

After 24 to 48 hours. Until then, also avoid hot showers and baths.

When can I use retinol, acids and self-tanner again?

Do not use products with retinol, arbutin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid or lactic acid, or self-tanner, for 3 days before the treatment and for the first week afterwards. After that you can return to your usual skincare.

How long should I stay out of the sun?

For the first 4 weeks after the treatment. Use SPF 30 to 50, reapply it every two hours and wear a cap or hat. At the practice we have SPF products from Dermaceutic and Alpha-H. You do not need to avoid the sun before the treatment.

When should I contact you?

If blisters appear, or if after 4 weeks you see no change in the veins or spots, or the spots have become darker. Also contact us if the pain increases, the redness or swelling increases after a few days, or if you notice pus, yellow or green crusts or a fever. You can reach us by phone, e-mail or WhatsApp.

This is general information. If your therapist has given you different advice, follow that advice.

Aftercare for IPL & laser