Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), also known as photorejuvenation or photofacial, is a non-surgical option for correcting superficial skin conditions, like broken capillaries, fine wrinkles, age spots and uneven pigmentation.
A recent study compared IPL treatments, which work by applying gentle broad spectrum light to the skin, to non-ablative Q-switched laser treatments for skin rejuvenation in Asian patients. Researchers found that the IPL treatment was as effective as the non-ablative laser for improving several skin problems.
The study had twelve female participants who received five sessions of treatments, every two weeks; IPL was applied to the left side of the face and the non-ablative laser to the right.
Results showed significant skin rejuvenation for all the assessments. Similar efficiency from both procedures was observed for improvement of skin texture, pore size and sebum secretion (a cause of acne).
It also found that IPL was more efficient than the laser for lightening the skin tone after the first treatment, but there was no further improvement after three treatments. On the other hand, the laser gradually lightened the skin tone and was ultimately more efficient than the IPL after five treatments.
According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, IPL was performed about 429,700 times last year and laser skin resurfacing with a non-ablative laser, such as Fraxel, was performed about 323,900 times in the same period.
The study, published in Dermatology Surgery journal, illustrates that there are many techniques that can be used to improve various skin conditions. Your doctor can help you choose the best procedure to meet your needs.
Dr. Heffernan offers several non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures, including IPL with FotoFacial RF™, Fraxel Restore and microdermabrasion.
The recently formed parent company of Thermage Inc and 