How long should a patient wait to exfoliate after an IPL treatment?

After an IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment, it's recommended for patients to wait about one week before resuming any form of exfoliation. This is to ensure that the skin has adequate time to recover after the treatment. IPL can cause temporary redness, swelling, and sensitivity, so allowing a week for the skin to heal minimizes the risk of irritation or adverse reactions that may be exacerbated by exfoliating products.

During this recovery period, the skin often feels sensitive and might have increased cell turnover, making it important to avoid any harsh treatments, including physical or chemical exfoliants. After the one-week mark, the skin typically stabilizes enough to handle gentle exfoliation, thus helping maintain results and improving the skin's texture.

Waiting longer, such as two weeks or more, could delay the beneficial effects of exfoliation, which can help clear away dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and enhance overall skin appearance following the IPL treatment. The timeframe of one week strikes a balance between allowing for necessary recovery while also enabling the patient to begin their post-treatment skincare routine effectively.