Introduction:
Drs. Goldman, Fitzpatrick, and Eckhouse invented intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy in 1992 to treat leg telangiectasias. Since the introduction of the first IPL device with FDA approval to the market in 1995, this technology has seen considerable advancements in terms of innovation, therapeutic uses, and accessibility. IPL equipment is distinctive in that it generates pulsed light with a range of wavelengths, durations, and fluences using flashlamps and bandpass filters. These characteristics encourage its adaptability in the treatment of various dermatological conditions. IPL is used to treat benign pigmented and vascular problems, as well as hair removal and photoaging. IPL is currently a crucial technique in dermatology and is routinely employed to treat a wide range of medical and aesthetic disorders.
What Is an IPL Therapy?
IPL, or intense pulsed light therapy, is a type of light therapy with many uses, including anti-aging, treating dark spots, promoting collagen production, and getting rid of unwanted hair. It can be used to enhance the texture and color of the skin without surgery or invasive treatments by dispersing different wavelengths of light over particular parts of the skin.
IPL is fundamentally distinct from a laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). IPL uses a flashlamp to emit polychromatic light over a wide wavelength spectrum of about 400-1400 nm. Broadband light has the benefit of allowing for greater adaptability in the treatment of a range of skin types and problems. Additionally, filters can be used to change the wavelength of light output from an IPL machine.
When lasers and light devices' light penetrate the skin, photons carrying thermal energy are emitted, producing a therapeutic impact. Chromophores in the skin, such as hemoglobin, water, and melanin, take up the photons and are then heated by thermal energy, which leads to their death by thermocoagulation. The core principle of IPL technology is the phenomenon of selective photothermolysis.
What Are the Indications of IPL Therapy?
IPL has received FDA approval for the treatment of the following:
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Telangiectasias (small dilated blood vessels).
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Photorejuvenation.
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Hyperpigmentation.
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Lentigines (pigmented spots).
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Ephelides (a flat, light brown, or red freckle that disappears when exposure to the sun is reduced).
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Melasma (brownish facial pigmentation).
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Rosacea (a typical inflammatory skin disorder that causes redness on the face or other regions of the body).
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Hemangiomas (blood vessel growths that are not cancerous).
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Leg veins.
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Unwanted hair.
IPL was just recently made available in ophthalmology to treat dry eye conditions brought on by a malfunctioning meibomian gland (oil glands located along the border of the eyelids, near the eyelashes).
What Are the Contraindications of IPL Therapy?
Treatment sessions with intense pulsed light are generally safe and pleasant. IPL may be better avoided in some people, including those who have recently burned themselves and those who are pregnant or nursing. Additionally, it has been discovered that IPL can trigger latent HSV in the trigeminal ganglion and cause the herpes simplex virus (HSV) to reactivate on the face or genitalia through transitory hyperthermia. Starting prophylactic antiviral therapy (oral Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, or Famciclovir) a day prior to IPL treatment and continuing for up to two weeks afterward may be recommended in individuals with a prior history of HSV infection.
How to Prepare for IPL Therapy?
The patient must be prepared for IPL therapy by locating a comfortable, secure treatment room where they can expose the problematic skin area without feeling self-conscious. A few square feet of floor space are needed for the IPL machine, and it typically needs to be powered by a 220 V plug, which is not always accessible in the US. A cold gel can enhance both patient comfort and the transfer of energy from the handpiece to the skin.
Eye protection is essential for both the patient and the IPL treatment provider as IPL can harm pigmented eye structures like the retina. Eye shields cannot be moved in the middle of a process because doing so could disrupt the treatment and accidentally cause eye injury.
As with any procedure, informed consent is crucial for IPL treatments. The discussion should center on the creation of realistic expectations, especially in regard to the outcome, the anticipated number of treatments needed to attain the desired result, post-procedure safety measures, like preventing exposure to the sun, and the possibility of complications, like temporary or permanent hyper or hypopigmentation, redness, crusting, blistering, and scarring.
What Is the Technique Involved in IPL Therapy?
IPL devices, as opposed to lasers, create noncoherent, polychromatic light with a wide spectrum of wavelengths. IPL equipment can treat a wide range of lesions and skin types. Since the action of pulsed light is cumulative, lesion clearance frequently depends on the number of treatment sessions. Typically, three to six treatments spaced two to four weeks apart are needed to achieve the full clinical effect. More extensive pigmentation in lesions could necessitate more treatment sessions. As they are more difficult to penetrate, lesions located deeper within the dermis might also need more treatments.
IPL is connected with a quicker recovery time and less expensive equipment than laser systems. IPL has drawbacks, such as the lamp and cooling system being integrated into the handpiece, which makes the device heavier. The appearance of acute local skin reactions is also lessened by the application of cold gel to the skin.
What Are the Complications of IPL Therapy?
The most frequent adverse events associated with IPL are discomfort and erythema, even though side effects are often few and of minor severity. Edema, bullae, hematomas, crusting, hyper- or hypopigmentation, scarring, keloid development, and infection are among additional side effects that have been described. Untrained medical personnel may administer excessive thermal energy and employ improper device settings, which may result in non-specific thermal harm and problems. Dark-skinned people present specific challenges when treated with IPL, so these patients must be carefully taken into account.
Are the Outcomes of IPL Permanent?
The longevity of IPL results is influenced by a number of variables, including age, skin type, genetics, and sun exposure. While the exact duration of the IPL effect is impossible to predict, the advantages of intense pulsed light therapy normally endure between six months and a year.
In order to extend the effects of intense pulsed light treatment, it is advised that:
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Spend less time in the sun.
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Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even if it is cloudy or raining; keep in mind to apply it to frequently overlooked regions including the backs of hands, neck, chest, and shoulders.
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Make use of a premium face moisturizer.
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Makeup removal is a must before bed.
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Get a maintenance IPL procedure every six to twelve months.
Conclusion:
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used to treat a variety of dermatological conditions by using high-intensity light sources. Intense pulsed light therapy requires a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to produce the greatest results. The patient has to know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure, as well as any possible side effects. Assessing the patient's expectations and clinical progress are also crucial. Patients should be made aware that a series of at least two or more IPL treatments is necessary to get the greatest outcomes.
