The Burn: How a Bad IPL Experience Left Me Scarred—And Inspired Me to Start My Own Laser Studio

Not all laser hair removal is created equal. I learned that the hard way when an impatient, untrained technician burned my face with an IPL treatment I should never have been given. That experience was painful, frustrating, and completely avoidable—but it also pushed me to become the laser technician I wish I had found back then.

IPL left a scar that's still visible 17 years later

Trusting the Wrong Provider: My Worst Beauty Decision

Like many people struggling with unwanted hair, I had spent years searching for a permanent solution. When I found a clinic offering "affordable" IPL hair removal, I jumped at the chance. The technician assured me it was safe for my skin, despite my concerns about being a little too dark for the treatment.

She was wrong.

During the session, the pain felt sharper than I expected. I flinched, but she brushed off my discomfort, saying, "That just means it's working!"

A few hours later, my face told a different story.

The Aftermath: Blisters, Scarring, and Regret

By the time I got home, my skin was on fire. The treated areas were bright red, then turned into painful blisters. Over the next few days, those blisters darkened into deep burns.

I had trusted a professional with my skin, and now I was left with scars—both physical and emotional.

Worse still, when I went back to the clinic to express my concerns, they gaslit me. They insisted my reaction was "normal," that I must have "done something wrong" in my aftercare.

But I knew the truth. IPL wasn’t the right treatment for my skin type, and they had lied to me just to make a sale.

Why IPL Isn’t Safe for All Skin Tones

For those unfamiliar, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is NOT the same as laser hair removal. Many salons use IPL because the machines are cheaper than medical-grade lasers, but they’re not nearly as effective or safe for deeper skin tones.

Here’s why:

🔴 IPL uses a broad-spectrum light, which means the energy isn’t as focused. Instead of precisely targeting hair follicles, it spreads heat across the skin—making burns more likely.

🔴 Dark skin absorbs more light and heat, so without the right settings and technology, IPL can cause hyperpigmentation, burns, and even permanent scarring.

🔴 Many clinics don’t properly train their staff, meaning they either don’t know or don’t care about the risks for people with melanin-rich skin.

If I had known all this before my treatment, I never would have gone through with it.

From Burn Victim to Laser Technician

That terrible experience could have made me give up on laser hair removal forever. Instead, it lit a fire under me.

I realized that if I wanted safe, effective treatments—ones that actually worked for all skin tones—I needed to take matters into my own hands.

So I did.

I got certified. I studied lasers inside and out. And when I finally opened my own studio, I made sure to invest in the best, safest technology available: The Alma Soprano Titanium laser.

Here’s why it’s different:

✅ Triple-wavelength technology—treats all hair types and skin tones, from fair to deep.

✅ Nd:YAG wavelength—specifically designed for darker skin tones to prevent burns and hyperpigmentation.

✅ Cooling tip & in-motion application—makes treatments virtually pain-free and eliminates the risk of burns.

Simply put: I refuse to let my clients go through what I went through.

A Lesson in Trusting Your Gut

Looking back, I wish I had trusted my instincts when I felt uneasy about that IPL treatment. But I also recognize that clients shouldn’t have to be experts in laser technology just to avoid getting burned. That’s the technician’s job.

So here’s my advice:

💡 Do your research—Make sure your provider uses actual medical-grade laser technology, not IPL.

💡 Ask questions—If they can’t explain how their laser works for your specific skin type, that’s a red flag.

💡 Trust your gut—If something feels off, walk away. No treatment is worth damaging your skin.

Turning Pain into Purpose

My burn scars eventually faded, but the lessons I learned will stay with me forever. That experience didn’t just push me to become a laser technician—it shaped the way I run my business today.

At Wavelengths Laser Loft, I put safety and honesty first. I don’t cut corners, I don’t make false promises, and I don’t treat clients like dollar signs.

Because I know what it’s like to be on the other side of that treatment table. And I never want anyone to go through what I did.

📍 Book a Consultation with a Technician Who Cares