IPL Photo rejuvenation involves using an energy-delivery device to improve skin texture, fine wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation (skin discoloration such as sun spots, age spots, and freckles). Photo rejuvenation falls into three categories: mechanical, thermal, and chemical. Mechanical methods include lasers, thermal include Thermage, and chemical includes chemical peels.

Specificity is the key word when it comes to energy-delivery devices. Lasers, for example, are energy-delivery devices with very specific applications. There are many different types of laser, each of which has unique characteristics (wavelength, power, and length of pulse duration) tailored to a particular kind of skin problem. Each type of laser uses a specific wavelength of energy applied to a specific area of the skin for a select type and severity of imperfection. Thus, more than one laser may be necessary to achieve maximum benefit, especially in skin with multiple areas of concern.

More recent is the advent of a light therapy device said to achieve benefits equivalent to a three-millimeter brow-lift, without the invasive surgery of a traditional brow-lift.

IPL Photo rejuvenation technology is always changing and improving.

Reasons to choose IPL photo rejuvenation?

IPL Photo rejuvenation is not meant to be a substitute for surgery or other semi-invasive treatments such as chemical peels. However, photo rejuvenation is useful as an added tool for problems that cannot be otherwise treated, or to improve the results of other treatment options. One of the main attractions of photo rejuvenation is the fact that these treatments cause little or no downtime and few side effects for patients.

What are some of the patient expectations  with IPL photorejuvenation

Knowledgeable patients must have reasonable expectations about the procedure. They should understand that multiple treatments may be necessary in order to achieve the desired result. They must also understand that results for specific conditions such as wrinkling may be incremental, just as sun damage results may vary, depending on the aftercare skin regimen. At the same time, photo rejuvenation has been the best approach for other conditions such as vascular lesions.

Patients receive a list of preoperative and postoperative instructions that should be followed to reduce the risk of complications. For example, an occlusive (airtight and watertight) dressing and ointment application may be required after the procedure. An alternative to a tape dressing is the LaserSeal, a transparent, occlusive silicone dressing, which is designed to offer long-lasting comfort and is delivered through a dispensing gun following laser skin resurfacing treatment.

What are the most common medical conditions that you would treat with energy-delivery devices?

Skin Disorders

• Acne: Numerous effective types of treatment exist for acne. Lasers, including CoolTouch and Smoothbeam lasers, have been used for acne management, as have other heat-based (thermal) or light-based modalities. Photodynamic therapy with the blue light, intense pulse light, and/or the pulse dye laser system may be useful for mild acne. These are often used in addition to topical and/or oral medications already prescribed by the patient’s physician.
• Acne Scars: Few non-invasive treatment options exist for the treatment of acne scars, and often the improvements are minimal. Previously, acne scarring was treated with dermabrasion or chemical peeling, with varying results. However, acne scars can be most effectively treated through laser resurfacing.
• Rosacea: Some practices use an intense pulsed light (IPL) energy device for the treatment of rosacea, while others use the pulsed dye laser, both with good results, but with different side effects (such as possible bruising with the pulsed dye laser).

Hair Removal

• Nd:YAG laser treatments have been an effective option for permanent hair reduction for dark skin, and other laser wavelengths and IPL treatments are also used with good results. For example, the 810nm diode laser and alexandrite laser are excellent options for all skin types, except dark skin. Multiple treatments are necessary for maximum long-term hair removal. Hair removal treatments in 2004 totaled more than 900,000 sessions, indicative of the popularity of this treatment, and the reason so many laser hair removal med spas are appearing on the landscape.

Sun Damage and Aging Skin

• Photo-Aging, Hyperpigmentation, and Large Pores: Intense pulsed light (IPL) systems have proven useful for sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and large pores. The Fraxel laser has also proven useful for the improvement of brown spots, age spots, and large pores.
• Skin Irregularities, Fine Lines, and Dark Skin Discoloration: CO2, erbium/YAG, and combination CO2-erbium/YAG lasers have been beneficial for skin irregularities, wrinkles, acne scars, and certain types of skin discoloration. The Fraxel laser has also been effective for improvement of acne scars and fine lines.
• Sun Damage: Pulsed dye lasers or IPL are used for sun damage and aging skin. However, the length and level of lasting results varies among patients.