Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-coherent polychromatic broadband filtered flashlamp that emits light in the spectrum of approximately 400–1200nm. Cut-off filters are placed over the window of an optical treatment head or embedded into a quartz or sapphire light guide to block wavelengths lower than the filter. Cut-off filters allow for preferential selection of various chromophores including melanin (400–755 nm), oxyhemoglobin (600–630 nm; peaks 418, 542, and 577 nm) and deoxyhemoglobin (600–750 nm). They can also be selected to adjust for both depth of penetration and different skin types.
Originally developed to treat leg telangiectasias,1 IPLs soon found other applications including other types of vascular lesions, hair removal, destruction of benign pigmented lesions, and overall photorejuvenation.2-10 One of the main advantages of the IPL is its ability to simultaneously treat both benign pigmented lesions such as solar lentigines and ephelides, as well as vascular lesions such as telangiectasia and erythema with minimal to no patient downtime. In addition, histologic analysis of the papillary and reticular dermis has shown that dermal heat produced from IPL treatments induce new collagen production.11-14 This may account for the improved skin texture, fine wrinkles and pore size.15 The combination of beneficial effects has been termed “photorejuvenationâ€.16,17
IPLs typically feature integrated cooling via filtered cooling crystals.14 A thin layer of chilled transparent water-based gel is applied to the skin for optical coupling with the crystal, allowing for optimal transmission of light by decreasing the refractive index of light to the skin. Cold-air cooling can also be applied during the treatment to enhance patient comfort. Studies have demonstrated increased thermal protection of the epidermis, allowing use of higher fluence parameters (15–30%) while reducing side effects.18
Numerous IPL devices exist in the current marketplace, and each has a unique set of parameters; thus, the efficacy and safety profile may not be reproducible between devices. In general Fitzpatrick skin types I–III can be safely treated with a 560 nm filter while skin types IV–V are often treated with longer wavelength filters. Correction of red vascular lesions and erythema where oxygenated hemoglobin predominates can be achieved by using 515–590 nm cut-off filters while blue vascular lesions or purpuric patches where deoxygenated hemoglobin predominates are better targeted with filters of 590 or higher.
IPLs emit pulse durations in the millisecond range, which is longer than the thermal relaxation time (TRT) of melanosomes (TRT is ~200–400 nanoseconds). However, reports have
Originally developed to treat leg telangiectasias,1 IPLs soon found other applications including other types of vascular lesions, hair removal, destruction of benign pigmented lesions, and overall photorejuvenation.2-10 One of the main advantages of the IPL is its ability to simultaneously treat both benign pigmented lesions such as solar lentigines and ephelides, as well as vascular lesions such as telangiectasia and erythema with minimal to no patient downtime. In addition, histologic analysis of the papillary and reticular dermis has shown that dermal heat produced from IPL treatments induce new collagen production.11-14 This may account for the improved skin texture, fine wrinkles and pore size.15 The combination of beneficial effects has been termed “photorejuvenationâ€.16,17
IPLs typically feature integrated cooling via filtered cooling crystals.14 A thin layer of chilled transparent water-based gel is applied to the skin for optical coupling with the crystal, allowing for optimal transmission of light by decreasing the refractive index of light to the skin. Cold-air cooling can also be applied during the treatment to enhance patient comfort. Studies have demonstrated increased thermal protection of the epidermis, allowing use of higher fluence parameters (15–30%) while reducing side effects.18
Numerous IPL devices exist in the current marketplace, and each has a unique set of parameters; thus, the efficacy and safety profile may not be reproducible between devices. In general Fitzpatrick skin types I–III can be safely treated with a 560 nm filter while skin types IV–V are often treated with longer wavelength filters. Correction of red vascular lesions and erythema where oxygenated hemoglobin predominates can be achieved by using 515–590 nm cut-off filters while blue vascular lesions or purpuric patches where deoxygenated hemoglobin predominates are better targeted with filters of 590 or higher.
IPLs emit pulse durations in the millisecond range, which is longer than the thermal relaxation time (TRT) of melanosomes (TRT is ~200–400 nanoseconds). However, reports have
