5.07.2026 · 4 min read
Author: The AURONN® expert team
Care after IPL and photorejuvenation. A protocol for skin after light therapy
IPL (intense pulsed light) is not a laser — instead of a single wavelength it emits a broad spectrum of light absorbed simultaneously by melanin and haemoglobin. That is why a single treatment reduces discoloration, erythema and fine vessels. The price of this versatility: the energy spreads over a larger area of skin, and the inflammatory response can be more extensive than after a spot laser.
What happens to the skin after IPL
Immediately after the treatment, erythema and a feeling of warmth similar to sunburn appear — this is normal and subsides within 24–48 hours. In the following days the discolorations darken and form microcrusts that flake off within 7–14 days. The key task of care: not to disturb this process.
- do not scrape off the darkening lesions — they will fall off on their own
- gentle cleansing without grainy scrubs and brushes
- an antioxidant mist several times a day to calm the erythema
- SPF 50+ daily — the new skin after flaking is exceptionally photosensitive
Why antioxidants are key here
Photorejuvenation works precisely through controlled oxidative stress — the light generates reactive oxygen species in the tissues that trigger remodelling. The problem is that excess free radicals prolong erythema and may intensify post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. High-capacity antioxidant support — such as biological fullerenes, acting up to 172× more strongly than vitamin C — helps close the inflammation within the planned frame.
In the AURONN® protocol for IPL therapy, the Golden Mist is applied immediately after the treatment and continued at home for 7–14 days, until the lesions have fully flaked.
Frequently asked questions
Why do discolorations darken after IPL?
This is the intended effect: thermally damaged melanin migrates towards the skin surface and flakes off as microcrusts within 7–14 days. Darkening of the lesions is a sign that the treatment worked.
When can you return to makeup after IPL?
With the epidermis intact, usually after 24–48 hours, with gentle mineral formulas. With visible microcrusts it is better to wait for them to flake off naturally.
What to use after IPL photorejuvenation?
For the first days: soothing and antioxidant preparations applied touch-free, and absolute SPF 50+ photoprotection. Acids and retinoids return at the earliest after 7–14 days, after assessing the skin's condition.