Efficacy and safety comparison between pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light configured with different wavelength bands in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

Previous clinical studies have shown that pulsed dye laser (PDL) and intense pulsed light (IPL) are effective for treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea(ETR). This article aims to compare the efficacy and safety of PDL and IPL at three different wavelength bands (broad-band, single-narrow-band, and dual-narrow-band) in treating ETR. Sixty subjects with ETR were randomly categorized into four groups and received one of the following laser treatments: PDL (595 nm), IPL with Delicate Pulse Light (DPL, 500-600 nm), IPL with M22 590 (590-1200 nm), or IPL with M22 vascular filter (530-650 nm and 900-1200 nm). Four treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals, with one follow-up session 4 weeks after the final treatment. The efficacy of the four lasers was evaluated by comparing the clinical symptom score, total effective rate, VISIA red area absolute score, and RosaQoL score before and after treatment. The safety was evaluated by comparing adverse reactions such as pain, purpura, erythematous edema, and blister. All 60 subjects completed the study. Within-group effects showed that the clinical symptom score, VISIA red area absolute score, and RosaQoL score of all four groups were significantly reduced compared to before treatment (p < 0.001). Between-group effects showed no statistically significant difference among the four laser groups. Safety analysis showed that all four lasers were safe, but the incidence of blister was higher in the M22 vascular group. Nonpurpurogenic PDL, DPL, M22 590, and M22 vascular were equally effective in treating ETR and were well-tolerated. ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT05360251.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions.

BACKGROUND: IPL devices emit a wide range of wavelengths that can be absorbed by different chromophores in the skin. Selective destruction of a specific chromophore with minimal side effects is controlled by wavelength, pulse duration, and fluence. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions using narrow-band Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT), which offers more efficient energy usage per pulse to increase safety, and improve clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from 100 patients treated with narrow-band IPL for vascular and pigmented lesions. Efficacy was measured by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and Patient Satisfaction Scale (0-10). Safety was assessed by evaluating pain levels and adverse events. RESULTS: Mean GAIS scores were 8.02 ± 0.84 for vascular and 8.14 ± 0.9 for pigmented lesions with no significant difference between groups (p=0.49, α=0.05). Patient satisfaction correlated with GAIS scores (correlation coefficient 0.8). No pain was reported and two patients experienced temporary and transient side effects. CONCLUSION: Overall, the advanced IPL treatments provided favorable outcomes for vascular and pigmented lesions.

Evaluation of thermal shock therapy for reducing pain during intense pulsed light therapy: An intrapatient randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used for the treatment and improvement of various skin issues. However, patients often experience local skin burning and pain after IPL treatment. Cooling and analgesic measures are indispensable. AIMS: To investigate the clinical effect of thermal shock therapy on pain relief and reduction of adverse reactions during IPL therapy. PATIENTS/METHODS: A total of 60 female patients with facial photoaging who received IPL therapy were enrolled in the study. As a comparative split-face study, one side of the face was randomly selected as the control side. The other side was given thermal shock therapy before and after the IPL treatment immediately as analgesic side. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain degree of the patients. The telephone follow-ups regarding the occurrence of adverse reactions were conducted respectively on the 2nd day, 7th day, and 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: The VAS score and skin temperature of analgesia side was lower than that of control side at different stages of treatment. In terms of adverse reactions, the incidence of transient facial redness on the analgesic side was lower than that on the control side. Two patients showed slight secondary pigmentation on the control side, and the other patients showed no other adverse reactions on both sides. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal shock therapy assisted IPL therapy can reduce skin temperature during treatment, effectively relieve patients' pain, reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions caused by heat injury, and improve patients' comfort level.

Efficacy and safety of the combination of oral tranexamic acid and intense pulsed light versus oral tranexamic acid alone in the treatment of refractory Riehl's melanosis: A prospective, comparative study.

BACKGROUND: There is no standardized and effective treatment modality for Riehl's melanosis. AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral tranexamic acid (TXA) combined with intense pulsed light (IPL) versus TXA alone in the treatment of refractory Riehl's melanosis. METHODS: A prospective study of 28 subjects with refractory Riehl's melanosis and Fitzpatrick Skin Types III or IV was conducted. All subjects received oral TXA 500 mg daily and 11 of them were treated in combination with monthly IPL therapy for 6 months. The primary outcome measure was mean melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI) and acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation area and severity index (DPASI). The Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and patient satisfaction scale were documented. RESULTS: After treatment, DPASI, mean MI, and EI were significantly reduced in both groups. The group treated with combination therapy showed better improvement according to MI (p = 0.0032) and DPASI (p = 0.00468). PGA and patient satisfaction scale showed superior efficacy in the combination group. No significant difference was observed in treatment-related side effects. CONCLUSION: The combination of oral TXA and IPL proves to be a safe and satisfactory treatment strategy for refractory Riehl's melanosis.

Clinical efficacy of intense pulsed light combined with low-dose intralesional corticosteroids in treating noninfectious granulomas after mesotherapy: A case series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mesotherapy is a popular cosmetic procedure for localized delivery of substances. However, due to the lack of standardized processes, there are potential risks of adverse reactions. Granulomas formation is one of the chronic reactions which impose significant physical and mental burdens on patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of combining intense pulsed light (IPL) with intralesional corticosteroids for treating noninfectious granulomas after mesotherapy. METHODS: This retrospective observational case series included patients who suffer from noninfectious granulomas after mesotherapy and received combination of IPL and intralesional corticosteroids treatment between October 2021 and December 2022 at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China. The process and effect were analyzed and summarized. RESULTS: Among the seven patients, five expressed extreme satisfaction with the efficacy, while two was slightly satisfied. The physicians believed that all patients had shown significant improvement. No adverse reactions or recurrences were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Based on this analysis, the application of the combined treatment in patients suffering from noninfectious granuloma due to mesotherapy demonstrates good clinical efficacy and safety, making it worth considering as a treatment option.

Expert opinion about laser and intense pulsed light (IPL)-induced leukoderma or vitiligo: a cross-sectional survey study.

Vitiligo patients may desire laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, vascular treatments, and other laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) assisted treatments. However, there is a risk of inducing new depigmented patches (Koebner phenomenon). In absence of guidelines on the safe use of laser or IPL in vitiligo patients, dermatologists tend to be reluctant to administer these treatments. The aim of this survey study was to provide an estimation of the occurrence and related risk factors of laser/IPL-induced leukoderma or vitiligo. A cross-sectional survey study was performed among 15 vitiligo experts from 11 countries, with 14 questions about affected patients, involved laser/IPL treatments and the physicians' approach. In a total of 11,300 vitiligo patients, laser/IPL-induced leukoderma or vitiligo was reported in 30 patients (0.27%). Of these, 12 (40%) patients had a medical history of vitiligo and seven (58%) of these patients had stable (> 12 months) vitiligo before the treatment. Most frequently reported were hair removal procedures and localization of the face and legs. Side effects like blistering, crusting, and erosions occurred in 56.7% of the cases. These vitiligo experts based their advice on the risk of the laser treatment on stability of the vitiligo (43%) and activity signs (50%), and 50% discuss the risks before starting a laser treatment. Relevant activity signs are the Koebner phenomenon (57.1%), confetti-like lesions (57.1%) and hypochromic borders (50%). Laser-induced leukoderma or vitiligo is an uncommon phenomenon. Remarkably, a minority had a medical history of vitiligo of which 58% were stable. Consequently, most cases could not have been prevented by not treating vitiligo patients. However, a majority had laser/IPL-induced skin damage. Therefore, caution is advised with aggressive settings and test-spots prior to the treatment are recommended. This study showed significant variation in the current recommendations and approach of vitiligo experts regarding laser/IPL-induced leukoderma or vitiligo.

Optimized combined low level light therapy and intense pulsed light therapy for the treatment of dry eye syndrome caused by Meibomian glands dysfunction.

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common disease that can lead to ocular discomfort, reduced visual acuity and reduced quality of life. Meibomian Gland dysfunction plays an important role in most cases. To evaluate the effects of "EyeLight", a novel device delivering combined intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT), we conducted a retrospective chart review of patients refractory to conventional medical treatment who were treated with "EyeLight" therapy at Laser Vision, Lebanon. Each patient received between 2 to 5 treatment sessions. Clinical measurements were obtained before and after each session, including tear film breakup time (TBUT), ME-CHECK-meiboscale and the ME-CHECK questionnaire to determine the need for an additional session and to monitor progress. The same clinical evaluation was performed 3 to 5 weeks after the final treatment. A total of 52 eyes were included. A significant improvement in objective clinical signs was found, with an increase in TBUT from 6.98±1.41s. to 9.27±1.25s. (P<0.001) and a decrease in ME-CHECK-meiboscale (P<0.001). A reduction of severity level on the ME-CHECK-meiboscale classification was observed in 90%, along with a significant improvement in subjective clinical signs on the ME-CHECK questionnaire (P<0.001). No ocular or facial adverse events were noted. "EyeLight" treatment of 2 to 5 sessions depending on the severity of MGD in each eye showed an improvement in objective clinical signs and subjective symptoms and therefore appears to be an effective treatment for DES related to MGD refractory to conventional treatment.

Treatment of sensitive skin by short-wave radiofrequency combined with intense pulsed light.

BACKGROUND: Sensitive skin is a widespread dermatologic condition, and no optimal treatments have been established so far. OBJECTIVE: To investigated the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy of short-wave radiofrequency (SWRF) and intense pulsed light (IPL) in improving transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and facial erythema in sensitive skin patients. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with sensitive skin received the SWRF treatment once per week for 4 weeks and IPL treatment once. Digital photographs and three-dimensional images were taken at each follow-up. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by the improvement of sensitive scale-10 including irritant symptoms and facial erythema. In addition, erythema area and TEWL values were measured. RESULTS: All patients showed subjective and objective improvement in irritant sensations and facial erythema after treatment. The TEWL values decreased from 20.29 ± 5.97 g·h-1 ·m-2 at baseline to 14.70 ± 6.02 g·h-1 ·m-2 after SWRF treatment and 13.78 ± 4.70 g·h-1 ·m-2 after combined therapy (p = 0.000). The clearance of the erythema area was statistically significant, with 14.05% ± 5.71% at baseline, 9.38% ± 4.08% after SWRF treatment, and 5.73% ± 2.79% after combined therapy (p = 0.000). No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of SWRF with IPL was effective in relieving skin irritant sensations and facial erythema of sensitive skin by repairing skin barrier function.

Treatment of melasma by a combination of intense pulsed light with advanced optimal pulse technology and human-like collagen repair dressing: A case series study.

To observe the efficacy and safety of a combination of intense pulsed light (IPL) with advanced optimal pulse technology (AOPT) and human-like collagen repair dressing in the treatment of melasma. Ten patients with melasma were treated using IPL with AOPT once a month for a total of 8 times, and received the treatment of external human-like collagen repair dressing after each operation. The efficacy was evaluated with the modified Melasma Area Severity Index (mMASI) score and satisfaction score, respectively, before treatment, after each treatment and at 4 months after the end of the whole treatment course. The melasma was significantly lightened in all 10 patients after 8 times of treatments. The mMASI score before treatment was (8.6 ± 3.8) points, which decreased significantly to (5.1 ± 2.7) points after 8 times of treatments, and there was a significant difference in mMASI score between before and after 8 times of treatments (P = .001). The mMASI score was (3.3 ± 2.2) points at 4 months after the end of whole treatment course, and there was no significant difference in mMASI score between after 8 times of treatments and 4 months after the end of whole treatment course (P > .05). The satisfaction score was (7.2 ± 1.4) points after 8 times of treatments and (7.1 ± 1.4) points at 4 months after the end of whole treatment course, there was no significant difference in satisfaction score between after 8 times of treatments and 4 months after the end of whole treatment course (P > .05). A combination of IPL with AOPT and human-like collagen repair dressing can effectively decrease the severity of melasma, and is associated with a higher patient satisfaction score and a lower risk of relapse after discontinuation of treatment.

MACULAR HOLE FORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH INTENSE PULSED LIGHT THERAPY.

PURPOSE: To describe the first case of macular hole formation following intense pulsed light therapy. METHODS: This is a retrospective case report. A 68-year-old woman presented with blurry vision that occurred 1 day following intense pulsed light therapy for hair removal. RESULTS: A full thickness macular hole, which had not been previously documented was noted on fundus exam. Ocular coherence tomography confirmed a full-thickness macular hole. DISCUSSION: Laser treatment for hair removal has been reported to cause ocular injuries including iris atrophy, pupillary distortion, cataracts, and uveitis. Intense pulsed light therapy, a specific type of laser therapy, has been reported to cause iris transillumination defects, anterior uveitis, and pupil abnormalities. Our case is the first to describe a macular hole secondary to intense pulsed light therapy. The etiology of the macular hole is postulated to be secondary to possible thermal injury with absorption of energy at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium. This emphasizes the role and importance of preventative measures, such as protective glasses in reducing the risk of ocular injuries.

Efficacy of five-flash intense pulsed light therapy technique in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Meibomian gland dysfunction is the main cause of evaporative dry eye disease and can lead to ocular discomfort and ocular surface damage. Early diagnosis and management of this condition can prevent its impact on patients 'visual health and quality of life. BACKGROUND: In the last decade, intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) has been introduced as a therapeutic option for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Various treatment modalities and protocols have been reported to increase the efficacy of this technique. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel five-flash IPL technique in combination with home-based therapy and to compare it with conventional home care alone in patients with MGD. METHODS: In a randomised controlled trial, 100 symptomatic MGD patients were enrolled. The treatment group underwent three sessions of a five-flash IPL therapy. For all participants, eyelid warming, lid hygiene and lubricant therapy was prescribed. Ocular surface parameters were compared for control and treatment groups. RESULTS: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), non-invasive keratograph tear break up time (NIKBUT), fluorescein TBUT, MG expressibility, meibum quality and tear osmolarity were improved at follow up visits in both groups (p < 0.05). On day 75, NIKBUT was significantly higher in the IPL group (p = 0.045). The IPL treatment effect was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), except for bulbar and limbal hyperaemia (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02). In both groups, younger patients showed more improvement in NIKBUT (p = 0.02, r = -0.32; p < 0.001, r = -0.52). CONCLUSION: IPL therapy combined with conventional home-based therapy, and home care alone are both effective for patients with MGD. IPL may have an additional role in the improvement of ocular hyperaemia.

Intense Pulsed Light: A Methodical Approach to Understanding Clinical Endpoints.

BACKGROUND: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a non-coherent polychromatic broadband filtered flashlamp that emits light in the spectrum of approximately 400–1200 nm. Its effects on photorejuvenation are well documented. The goal of this study is to help practitioners better conceptualize and fine tune IPL device settings in order to produce the most effective and safest clinical outcome. MATERIALS/METHODS: This was a prospective study testing several filters (515 nm; 560 nm; 590 nm and 530–650; 900–1200 nm vascular filter), fluences, pulse durations, and pulse numbers (ie, multiple sequence pulsing or MSP) with a new IPL system. RESULTS: Post-procedure erythema response was more pronounced with increasing fluence, decreasing wavelength, fewer pulses and shorter pulse duration. The exception was the 515 nm filter with regard to pulse duration, which was observed to have a more pronounced response with longer pulse durations. The overall clinical outcome at the 4-week follow-up visit demonstrated greatest improvement in erythema and pigmentation using the 515 nm filter on a Fitzpatrick Skin Type III individual. CONCLUSION: Greatest clinical endpoint response at 4-week follow-up was observed with more robust initial responses. This was most apparent at higher fluence levels and fewer pulse counts. However, when the IPL is pushed to aggressive parameters, there is risk of hypopigmentation and hair loss as seen in this case study. Skin type is an important consideration when using IPL and MSP adds to its safety profile. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(2):203-207. doi:10.36849/JDD.5638.

Comparison between the use of intense pulsed light and Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser for the treatment of axillary hyperpigmentation.

BACKGROUND: Axillary hyperpigmentation (AH) is a condition in which axillary skin is darker than the adjacent areas. To date, there is no standard treatment for AH. The Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet 1064-nm(QS) laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) are two effective modalities for the treatment of pigmentary disorders; however, the efficacy and safety levels of both treatments for AH have not yet been compared in a controlled study. AIMS: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of the QS laser and IPL in the treatment of AH. METHODS: A randomized, split-side study was conducted on 22 subjects; all subjects received a total of five split-side treatments every 2 weeks. The efficacy was determined using the melanin index (MI), color chart level using the Pantone SkinTone™ Guide, improvement grading scale (IGS), and patient satisfaction scores at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference in MI, color chart level, IGS, and patient satisfaction scores between the two treatments. Both treatments significantly improved AH after three sessions. However, the pain score was lower for IPL treatment. The adverse effects were transient and were found after IPL treatment in one participant (4.45%) who developed hyperpigmentation and another participant (4.45%) who developed erythema. CONCLUSIONS: Intense pulsed light therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of AH, with no significant difference in the outcome compared with QS laser treatment.

Evaluating the efficacy and safety of vascular IPL for treatment of acute cutaneous leishmaniasis: a randomized controlled trial.

Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) continues to be a health concern, and alternative therapies with fewer side effects are substantially needed. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) with wavelength spectrum affecting vascular lesions on acute cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this randomized clinical trial study, 30 patients with acute CL were enrolled. Baseline clinical and demographic data were recorded in the checklist after obtaining written informed consent. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either IPL fortnightly (intervention group) or intralesional meglumine antimoniate (MA) weekly (control group) over 10 weeks. Patients were assessed every 2 weeks to determine the size of induration and improvement rate of lesions. Follow-up visits were arranged at 3rd and 6th months. Overall, 15 patients (21 lesions) in the intervention group and 15 patients (22 lesions) in the control group were studied. The size of lesions in the control group was significantly higher at the baseline (P = 0.014) and the second week (P = 0.034), and significantly lower in the eighth week (P = 0.009), compared with the intervention group. The size of lesions in the control group changed during the study (P < 0.001), whereas changes were not significant in the intervention group. The trend of changes in size of lesions was faster in the control group (P < 0.001). More patients in the control group had higher improvement rate at the sixth (P = 0.005) and tenth (P < 0.001) weeks. At the end of study, the cure rate was 35% (7 out of 20 lesions) in intervention group and 81.8% (18 out of 22 lesions) in the control group. Complete response happened earlier in the control group (P < 0.001). None of the lesions that were cured before the tenth week relapsed after 6 months. The frequency of blistering was significantly higher in intervention group (P = 0.001). Our results indicated that IPL with wavelength spectrum affecting vascular lesions was inferior to intralesional MA in treatment of CL. However, it can be considered as a second-line option, especially in patients with limitations for use of MA. Trial registry:  https://www.irct.ir/trial/34246 IRCT20140414017271N5.

Isotretinoin plus 420 nm intense pulsed light versus isotretinoin alone for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled study of efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction in Chinese subjects.

Either isotretinoin or intense pulsed light (IPL) proved to be effective to alleviate acne lesions, but the combined treatment has rarely been reported. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of isotretinoin and 420 nm IPL combined treatment. Forty-seven patients with facial acne with Global Evaluation Acne (GEA) graded 2-4 were randomized into study group and control group. The patients in the control group received oral isotretinoin for 8 weeks. The patients in the study group were treated with oral isotretinoin for 8 weeks, together with a biweekly 420 nm IPL treatment for 4 weeks. Topical agents included adapalene and fusidic acid. Efficacy was evaluated using digital photographies taken at baseline and week 12 by an independent dermatologist, including GEA grade, lesion count, lesion reduction percentage, and effective rate. All patients completed a questionnaire about dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and satisfaction visual analog scale (VAS) on week 12, and were followed up for another 2 months. Adverse events were recorded. The patients in the study group experienced significant reduction in GEA grade, total lesions, and inflammatory lesions on week 12, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The patients in the study group reported lower DLQI and higher VAS satisfaction (p < 0.05) and experienced lower incidence of relapse (p < 0.05). No severe adverse event was identified in both groups. Compared with isotretinoin alone, isotretinoin and 420 nm IPL combined treatment proved to be more effective within limited treatment duration. It was well-tolerated and the patients' satisfaction was high.

Adverse Events of Intense Pulsed Light Combined With Meibomian Gland Expression Versus Meibomian Gland Expression in the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occurrence and causes of adverse events (AEs) in intense pulsed light (IPL) combined with meibomian gland expression (MGX) and MGX treatment alone for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on MGD patients treated in Wuhan Aier Hankou Eye Hospital from February 2018 to October 2019 to compare the AEs between IPL-MGX and MGX groups. Relevant AEs that occurred during the treatment and within 1 month after the patients' last treatment were recorded and the causes of the AEs were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2,282 patients received IPL-MGX and 1,407 received MGX treatment. No serious AEs occurred in both groups. There were 74 AEs in the IPL-MGX group, with an incidence of 3.24%, including 14 significant AEs (2 cases of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, 1 recurrent herpes simplex keratitis (HSK), 9 new onsets of floaters, 1 recurrent glaucomatocyclitic crises, and 1 recurrent iridocyclitis). There were 27 AEs in the MGX group with a rate of 1.92%, including 4 significant AEs (2 cases of keratoconjunctivitis epidemic, 2 new cases of floaters). Compared with the IPL-MGX group, the incidence of AEs in the MGX group was lower (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Both IPL-MGX and MGX treatment are safe therapies with low risk for AEs. IPL treatment is not recommended for young children (age 10 or less) as well as patients with anterior uveitis or glaucomatocyclitic crises. The previous history of HSK and eyes with high myopia are advised to exercise caution in IPL treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Efficacy & safety of intense pulsed light therapy for unwanted facial hair: a retrospective analysis in skin of color.

Unwanted facial hair growth is a common esthetic problem. Laser hair removal has emerged as a leading treatment option for long-term depilation. The theory of selective photothermolysis has revolutionized laser hair removal in that it is effective and safe, when operated by sufficiently trained and experienced professionals. Long-pulsed ruby (694 nm), long-pulsed alexandrite (755 nm), diode (800-980 nm), and long-pulsed Nd: YAG (1064) are commercially available laser devices for hair removal most widely studied. The authors wish to share the efficacy and safety of intense pulse light therapy for permanent facial hair reduction in Indian population.

Short pulse intense pulsed light versus pulsed dye laser for the treatment of facial redness.

Treating diffuse facial redness with an intense pulsed light (IPL) source usually requires multiple sessions and may not achieve complete clearance. The 595 nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) enjoys a good reputation for reducing facial redness with non-purpuric settings. The objective of this study was to compare facial redness reduction using these two devices. After establishing the lowest light dose able to achieve transient purpura for the same pulse width of 1,5 ms with each technology, right and left sides of the face were randomly assigned for each type of treatment. There were two treatment sessions 4 weeks apart and the final evaluation was performed 8 weeks after thesecond treatment. Four blinded experienced dermatologists analyzed pre and post-treatment photographs, which demonstrated an average of 60% improvement on the segment treated with the IPL as opposed to 45% on the other segment. Pain level was described as mild and the procedure was well tolerated for both types of treatment. In this study we showed that short-pulsed intense pulsed light and PDL are similar in decreasing facial redness when non-purpuric low fluence settings are used. The IPL was faster and did not have consumables.