Skin Rejuvenation for Sun Damage, Aging, and Rosacea using IPL

Skin Rejuvenation for Sun Damage, Aging, and Rosacea using IPL
by Dr. Patrick Bitter Sr., M.D., and Dr. Geoffrey Nase, Ph.D.

Introduction
Current trends in aesthetic treatment of facial skin call for an effective adjunct to laser skin resurfacing. Patients seek treatment that offers a return to a more youthful appearance through restoration of even color and smoothness, relief from pigmentary sun damage, and the redness and flushing associated with rosacea. In addition, this patient group requires treatments that are short and pain-free, and allow immediate return to all activities.

Following more than 20 years of treatment of vascular lesions using the pulsed dye laser, a new laser-like intense pulsed light (IPL) device was developed that treats these conditions with success and answers the essential lifestyle criteria when used in a carefully administered program. This new IPL skin rejuvenation technique called PhotoFacialÙ now has a clinical history of more than 3,000 treatments with excellent patient acceptance.

Use of Intense Pulsed Light
IPL differs from laser light in that, rather than monochromatic single wavelength, IPL emits a non coherent, broad spectrum light. The MultiLightÙ or EpiLight device used in the PhotoFacialSM procedure emits a spectrum extending from 500nm to 1200nm. To customize the light energy delivery for a given procedure, the operator employs a cutoff filter, or light guide, of designated wavelength, below which the spectrum is selectively eliminated.

The IPL system, as used in the PhotoFacialSM procedure, conforms to the principle of selective photothermolysis. For dilated vessels, as seen in patients with sun damage and rosacea, the light energy with high absorption by hemoglobin and oxyhemaglobin reaches the dermal capillary bed and selectively destroys the abnormal vessels.

The operator controls all aspects of the light pulse, including cutoff wavelength (nm), energy level (Joules/cm2), pulse duration (milliseconds), pulse pattern (single, double, or triple), and delay time between pulses (milliseconds). This allows for precise control of light energy, which in this procedure is utilized for customization for skin type, procedure progress, and other variables. All controls are computer driven, and the system houses a patient database that automatically records the parameters of the treatment and treatment history for each patient.

Facial Telangiectasia and Rosacea
The IPL system was developed specifically for the treatment of benign vascular lesions, such as facial telangiectasia. In initial studies, not only did IPL perform this successfully and without the unsightly purpura associated with the pulsed dye laser, it had the added benefit of reducing the redness associated with these conditions. It was soon recognized that this technology could be effective in relieving the redness and flushing of the face and chest associated with rosacea...