What are the black dots after IPL?

Author: Alexys Cormier  |  Last update: Friday, January 2, 2026

What Are the Black Dots? The small black dots you may notice post-laser treatment are often referred to as “pepper spots” or “hair cast”. Essentially, they are tiny remnants of hair follicles that remain trapped in the skin as your body works to expel them.

What are the black dots on my IPL?

IPL targets the pigments and blood vessels under the skin. It is a very normal reaction to experience a darkening of pigmentations after a session. Over the next few days your dark spots will fall off and some will get lighter. For any concerns you might have you should discuss them with your provider.

Is it normal to have dark spots after IPL?

IPL targets the pigments and blood vessels under the skin. It is a very normal reaction to experience a darkening of pigmentations after a session. Over the next few days your dark spots will fall off and some will get lighter. For any concerns you might have you should discuss them with your provider.

How long does it take for capillaries to disappear after IPL?

As a general rule, the smaller the capillaries, the quicker they are to clear up. Typically, you won't start seeing results until two to four weeks after the first treatment, as it can take the body's lymphatic system that long to remove the dead material.

What are the black specks in my hair follicle?

Black dots correspond to remnants of hair shafts in the follicular ostia and cannot be removed mechanically. They are usually associated with other forms of broken hairs. The second trichoscopic finding is hair dye; if hair is improperly washed, dye can deposit on the scalp and may even penetrate the follicular ostia.

IPL LASER FOR PIGMENTATION | The Beauty Surfer | Dark Spots removal

What is the black dot at the end of a plucked hair?

A black dot could result from a fungal infection on the scalp known as tinea capitis or traction alopecia, causing broken hairs from tight hairstyles that look like black specks. Black dots could also be a symptom of alopecia areata, an inflammatory disease, or even a sign of scalp melanoma.

What does black piedra look like?

Black piedra is asymptomatic, except for the unsightly nodes visible on hair strands. On examination, the hair shaft shows firmly attached brown-black nodules, which are less than 1mm in size. These nodules are gritty on palpation.

How long does purging last after IPL?

In a typical case, the purging period will usually sit anywhere between two to six weeks. However, if you have a lot of closed comedones (which are those small bumps on the skin that are caused by blocked pores) it might take longer, this is why relying on a good exfoliant in your routine is key!

What does IPL do to broken capillaries?

Targeted Light Energy: IPL delivers precise pulses of light that are absorbed by the haemoglobin in the broken capillaries. Vessel Collapse: The light energy causes the vessels to heat up and collapse. Natural Elimination: The body naturally removes the treated vessels, reducing their appearance over a period of time.

Can too much IPL damage skin?

Although side effects of IPL are typically rare and minimal in severity, the most common adverse events include pain and erythema. Other reported side effects include edema, bullae, hematoma, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, leukotrichia, scarring, keloid formation, and infection.

Should I exfoliate after an IPL?

Do NOT try to use a physical exfoliant. Physical exfoliants are scrubs, chemical peels, or even an abrasive towel. Allow any dead skin that may peel or flake off in the week following your treatment to fall away naturally. Trying to help exfoliate this skin before it's ready can lead to scabs and scarring.

What are the purple spots after IPL?

Immediately following the pulsed dye laser treatment there will be a pink or purple to black discoloration of the skin. This discoloration is called purpura and is caused by the laser impact. It will last for approximately seven to ten days on the face and up to several weeks on the trunk and extremities.

What are the coffee grounds after IPL?

We like to tell patients the dark spots on the skin after a treatment, look like “coffee grounds” or “peppering” after treatment. Over the course of 7-10 days following treatment, the dark peppering flakes away to reveal new, fresh skin that is dark spot FREE.

Why do I have black dots after laser?

The black dots? Think of them as the remnants of hair on its way out. The laser zaps the follicles, prompting the hair to shed. These little dots are temporary hitchhikers, signaling the end of the road for the treated hair.

How can I tell if IPL is working?

You will notice that the hair growth after four weeks of IPL treatment will be lesser and thinner. After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed.

What are the spots after IPL?

After IPL, brown spots on your skin will temporarily darken and crust over. It can be tempting to pick and pull at these dark areas, but we need you to keep your hands off. Scratching at healing skin can disrupt the recovery process. It can also lead to scarring.

What is the downside of IPL?

One of the most significant concerns associated with IPL treatment is the risk of burns or skin discoloration, particularly in people with darker skin tones. This risk stems from the procedure's reliance on light absorption, which can lead to excessive heat in areas with higher melanin concentrations.

How long does it take for capillaries to disappear after IPL before?

Smaller vessels can disappear immediately after treatment. Larger ones fade away more gradually over the next few weeks.

What are the recovery stages of IPL?

Day 1- skin may be red, blotchy, has a sunburn feeling and darkening of spots/pigmentation starts. Day 2-3- skin may be feeling tight and dry, and the dark spots are looking like “coffee grounds” Day 4-6- skin is especially dry due to the dark spots starting to slough off and starting to gradually fade.

How can I speed up my IPL recovery?

What to do to speed up healing after IPL therapy:
  1. Use mild cleansers and moisturizers daily on your skin.
  2. Apply a sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF. ...
  3. Cleanse your skin twice a day with warm water.
  4. Perform a microdermabrasion facial 2 to 3 weeks after treatment with IPL.

When should I stop using IPL?

Stopping with the IPL treatments after just one or two courses will not result in full results. Usually after the third treatment results become more noticeable but for permanent hair removal, you should continue with the full treatment.

Can you see results after 1 IPL treatment?

The number of IPL sessions required depends on the skin condition being treated and individual skin type. While improvements can be seen after a single session, conditions like active acne or fine lines may require multiple sessions for significant results.

What kills black piedra?

In vitro susceptibility tests showed that Piedraia hortae was sensitive to terbinafine. This case demonstrates that terbinafine is effective in the treatment of black piedra.

What color is piedra?

Piedra is also known as Trichomycosis nodosa or Trichomycosis nodularis. There are two types: black piedra and white piedra, caused by different fungi and named because of the colour of fungal deposits they cause on the hair shaft. White piedra - nodules are adherent to the hair shafts.

How do you know if you have piedra?

The main symptom of white piedra is the formation of clusters of tiny nodules along the hair shafts. These rock-like structures appear white, gray, or tan. The stone-like depositions are soft, gritty, and easy to remove. However, removal may cause the affected hair shafts to split or break.

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