Intense pulsed light (IPL): A review

Abstract

Background: Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices use flashlamps and bandpass filters to emit polychromatic incoherent high-intensity pulsed light of determined wavelength spectrum, fluence, and pulse duration. Similar to lasers, the basic principle of IPL devices is a more or less selective thermal damage of the target. The combination of prescribed wavelengths, fluences, pulse durations, and pulse intervals facilitates the treatment of a wide spectrum of skin conditions. Objective: To summarize the physics of IPL, to provide guidance for the practical use of IPL devices, and to discuss the current literature on IPL in the treatment of unwanted hair growth, vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, acne vulgaris, and photodamaged skin and as a light source for PDT and skin rejuvenation. Methods: A systematic search of several electronic databases, including Medline and PubMed and the authors experience on intense pulsed light. Results: Numerous trials show the effectiveness and compatibility of IPL devices. Conclusion: Most comparative trials attest IPLs similar effectiveness to lasers (level of evidence: 2b to 4, depending on the indication). However, large controlled and blinded comparative trials with an extended follow-up period are necessary. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:93-104, 2010.

Efficacy and safety of intense pulsed light in the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris

“…Intense pulsed light (IPL) is absorbed by porphyrins, produced by Propionibacterium acnes, which lead to production of reactive oxygen species with consequent bactericidal effects. This causes the reduction of sebum by photothermolysis of the blood vessels [6] . Lasers or light-based therapies are increasingly being used for effective acne treatment with minimal downtime and side effects.…”

Refinements in Brow Reconstruction: Synergy Between Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine

“…[1][2][3][4] Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a versatile tool used for treatment of a variety of clinical conditions: hypertrichosis and hirsutism, skin vascular lesions (port wine stains, rosacea, teleangectasias, erythrosis), acne, and skin aging. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] This case report presents an interesting combined application of traditional reconstructive surgery and IPL for the restoration of a post-traumatic eyebrow defect.…”

“…An increasing number of reports demonstrated the even superior effectiveness of IPL versus laser in the treatment of skin vascular alterations such as rosacea and erythrosis. 7,10,12 Therefore, it was our option of choice for the treatment of persistent localized erythema in our patient's reconstructed eyebrow. Furthermore, to all of the previously mentioned features were added the demonstrated advantages of IPL in providing lower pain scores and local inflammation.…”

“…4 IPL is a very versatile tool that proved its effectiveness in a variety of skin conditions: hypertrichosis and hirsutism, skin vascular lesions (port wine stains, rosacea, teleangectasias, erythrosis), acne, and skin aging. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The potential combination of different wavelengths, fluences, pulse durations, and pulse intervals allows a patient customized treatment within a wide spectrum of therapeutic indications. In our case, we deliberately preferred IPL to laser for hair removal, as its lesser hair count reduction could provide a smooth hair thinning out rather than an aggressive and more radical epilation in the reconstructed eyebrow.…”

“…Furthermore, to all of the previously mentioned features were added the demonstrated advantages of IPL in providing lower pain scores and local inflammation. 5,9,12 IPL treatment was the only way to overcome the limitations of the traditional surgical technique, by providing a naturally irregular hair density in the reconstructed eyebrow.…”