Facial photo rejuvenation using two different intense pulsed light (IPL) wavelength bands

This study examined the effects of using two different wavelength bands to treat photodamaged skin. The PR applicator and VL applicator saw positive results with a variety of treatments, while not causing skin atrophy, scarring or pigment disturbances.

PubMed Reference:Bjerring P, et al. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;34:120-6.

Study Details:

  • 35 subjects (33 females, 2 males) with mean age 46.6±9.5 years (range 33-72), Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-III and substantial photodamaged skin (10 subjects with irregular pigmentation, 13 with vascular lesions, 12 with both)
  • Treated with 2 wavelength bands: 23 subjects treated with 555-950 nm (VL applicator) and 12 subjects with 530-750 nm (PR applicator); spot size of 10x48 mm for both applicators
  • Full-face treatments at 3-4 weeks intervals, repeated until no further improvement:
    • Telangiectasias (if present): 15-30 ms pulse duration, mean # treatments 1.82±0.7 with average energy 14.6 J/cm2±2.7 (VL applicator) & mean # treatments 1.75±0.7 with 14.3 J/cm2±0.6 (PR applicator)
    • Irregular pigmentation (all patients): 2.5 ms pulse duration, double light pulses with 10-ms interval; mean # treatments 1.43±0.51 with average energy 9.9 J/cm2 (VL applicator) & 3 treatments with 7.9 J/cm2(PR applicator)
  • Blinded photographic evaluation by independent dermatologist, based on 5-point scale: 0%, 1-24%, 25-49%, 50-74% and 75-100%

Study Results:

  • 82% of subjects showed fair to excellent (25-100%) clearance of telangiectasias with PR applicator
  • 73% of subjects showed fair to excellent clearance of diffuse erythema with PR applicator
  • PR applicator was significantly more efficient than VL applicator (p=0.025) for reduction of diffuse erythema
  • VL applicator induced reduction of irregular epidermal pigmentation with fewer treatments than PR applicator
  • No skin atrophy, scarring or pigment disturbances observed with treatments
  • Combined VL and PR treatments required < than 1/2 the fluence, no active cooling and fewer treatments than conventional treatment with a single-set of treatment parameters