Objective evaluation of the effects of intense pulsed light treatment on Asian skin by reflectance confocal microscopy analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of IPL treatment on Asian skin by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) analysis. Ten Asian female volunteers (39~54 years old, Fitzpatrick skin type III~IV) received five monthly IPL treatments. RCM skin images were evaluated, and several skin physiological parameters including thickness of stratum corneum, minimal thickness of epidermis, thickness of basal layer, density of dermal papillae, and mean diameter of papillae capillaries were measured both at baseline and 1 month after the last treatment. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was evaluated, as well. Thickness of stratum corneum was 4.80 ± 1.48 μm before IPL treatment and 5.50 ± 1.35 μm after treatment (p = 0.322). Both minimal thickness of epidermis and thickness of basal layer were significantly increased (p = 0.002 and 0.018, respectively) after IPL treatment. Dermal papillae density was significantly increased (p = 0.035), whereas mean capillary diameter was reduced significantly (p = 0.035). TEWL was slightly increased after treatment, while the difference was not significant on either T-zone or U-zone (p = 0.085 on T-zone and p = 0.114 on U-zone). RCM imaging is a feasible method to evaluate the effect of IPL effect on human skin. Moreover, IPL treatment serves to be highly safe in skin rejuvenation.

Will repeated Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment sessions affect facial skin sensitivity? Results of a twelve‐Month, prospective, randomized split‐face study

“…IPL treatment did not significantly increase the density of the epidermis or the thickness and density of dermis. These findings suggest that IPL does not weaken the skin barrier function, but improves skin sensitivity, which is consistent with the results of previous studies 30 …”

“…Skin glossiness returned to normal levels after 3 days, but again, was higher than the untreated side of the face 12 months after the final treatment. This result is consistent with the findings of other studies 30 . IPL treatment resulted in a significant increase in the density of dermal papillae examined by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), a sign of skin rejuvenation.…”

“…This result is consistent with the findings of other studies. 30 IPL treatment resulted in a significant increase in the density of dermal papillae examined by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), a sign of skin rejuvenation.…”

Noninvasive skin imaging in esthetic medicine—Why do we need useful tools for evaluation of the esthetic procedures

“…In RCM, a statistically significant thickening of the epidermal layer, an increase in skin papillary density, and a decrease in capillary diameter were observed. 26 Reflective confocal microscopy was also used in the assess- In summary, the reflectance confocal microscopy characterizes many advantages, according to its use in esthetic medicine:…”

“…In RCM, a statistically significant thickening of the epidermal layer, an increase in skin papillary density, and a decrease in capillary diameter were observed. 26 Reflective confocal microscopy was also used in the assessment of postoperative stretch mark therapy using microneedling combined with hyaluronic acid injection. Before treatment, collagen fibers arranged in parallel were visible, running along the skin's tight lines, opposite to the direction of stretch marks.…”