Hi all! I’ve had IPL 3 times in two different states and always had the “coffee grounds” reaction. I have pigmentation from blemish marks / sun exposure and IPL has always been *very* effective on me.
Usually, it’s a couple days of the “coffee grounds” marks and then the spots slough off and/get lighter. I always keep photos of my progress in past treatments and it’s been the same reaction.
I get a laser about once a year and was overdue for a treatment. I recently saw a new provider in a new state and had an IPL treatment. I expected the “coffee grounds” to appear like they always do…but there was nothing. Maybe just some slight redness in the first 24 hours, but essentially, my skin looked the same.
The esthetician seemed very conservative and kept saying she tries to make sure there’s limited down times but she did say the spots would get darker before they got better, which I was expecting. But nothing happened.
I was pretty bummed since I was looking forward to the results before a big work trip. I reached out and she said she would give me another pass or two of IPL when I come back in for a different treatment I already had scheduled. But she didn’t seem to fully acknowledge the concerns.
Pros: Is it possible she went too light on my skin and that’s why I didn’t see coffee grounds or any real change? Like the settings weren’t high enough? Does she not have the same IPL laser as the other providers I saw? Does it seem worth going back or cutting my losses and paying for someplace new? Has anyone ever experienced this?
Thanks for any insight you can provide!