IPL

IPL - Skin Pigmentation Treatment

IPL laser treatment or IPL therapy consists of powerful xenon flash lamp that is a high-intensity gas-discharge lamp, filled with xenon gas. It generates photons, which are seen as bright light in a pulse mode, when electric current passes through the gas. The electric energy stored in the capacitor bank is converted into optical energy by this lamp and emitted out at high intensity as a non-coherent, polychromatic light in a broad wavelength covering UV to infrared spectrum.

Indications:

• Skin Pigmentation:

IPL treatment for pigmentation targets melanin, hemoglobin, and water and is useful in treating hyper pigmentary dyschromic epidermal and dermal changes during pigmentation treatment It also causes microthermal injury in the upper dermis and instigates wound healing process making way for neocollagenesis and dermal remodelling.

Pre procedure work:

1.A detailed history of herpes labialis, keloidal tendency, drugs (oral contraceptives, photosensitizing, treatments taken in the past) is taken from the patient.
2.Sun restriction and sunscreen 4-6 week prior to the treatment, if treating sun-exposed area.
3.Patient information is taken and detail counselling is done on the procedure planned, its side effects, number of sitting required, etc.
4.Clinical evaluation of indication for which IPL is being used, local examination of the skin, and assessment of skin type of the patient should be carried out.
 This is important, as darker skin type require proper selection of IPL parameters, proper epidermal cooling facilities, etc.

Procedure:

1.Clean and shave area to be treated, if necessary.
2.We apply a thick coat of chilled water based gel over the skin of the area.
3.Then the patient is asked to close the eyes and the eyes are further covered with protective IPL specific goggles.

4.Technique:

• Handpiece is placed perpendicular and flush to the skin surface coated with water based gel.
• IPL pulses are placed adjacent to each other with minimal overlap. Move handpiece sequentially so as to cover the complete area.
• The normal immediate response will be different from lesion being treated. Usually it is blanching followed by erythema after some time.

Post procedure Management:

1.Ice packs are given to reduce post-operative erythema/swelling.
2.Topical creams & special preparations are prescribed by our dermatologist to enhance the results of the procedure.
3.Patient is instructed to use sunscreen religiously and avoid sun exposure.

Schedule:

IPL treatment for pigmentation requires multiple treatment sessions for optimum results. Repeat treatment is usually given every 2-3 weeks.

Sequelae:

• Rarely discomfort, burning sensation, erythema, oedema.
• Clinical end point is the immediate darkening of the pigmented areas.
• It causes improvement in pigmentation, skin tone, and texture along with reduction in pore size.
• More than one session is required to achieve optimum results.

Advantages:
1.IPL system are versatile and multiple conditions can be treated with one system.
2.IPL has larger safety margin; hence less side effects.
3.The treating aperture size of IPL is large; hence, large areas can be rapidly treated.