Skin Pigmentation, Fluence Determine IPL Side Effects

Single dose of ultraviolet radiation after intense pulsed light does not amplify side effects
hair in skin
hair in skin

FRIDAY, Aug. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Darker skin pigmentation and increasing intense pulsed light (IPL) fluence determine side effects after IPL exposure, according to a study published online July 30 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.

In a study involving 16 healthy subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types (FSTs) II to V, Daniel Thaysen-Petersen, M.D., from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and colleagues examined the contribution of skin pigmentation, fluence level, and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on IPL-induced side effects. Three test areas were separated into four sites and randomly allocated to a single IPL exposure of 22, 34, and 46 J/cm² or triple stacking of 46 J/cm²; subsequently, areas were randomized to no UVR or single solar-simulated UVR exposure. Each area had a corresponding control. Patients were followed for up to four weeks after IPL.

The protocol was completed by 15 subjects with FSTs II to IV. The researchers found that IPL induced a range of skin reactions, including erythema (87 percent), hyper- and hypopigmentation (60 and 20 percent, respectively), purpura (27 percent), blisters (20 percent), edema (13 percent), and crusting (13 percent). Determinants for IPL-induced side effects included darker skin pigmentation and increasing IPL fluence (P ≤ 0.002); side effects were not exacerbated with single exposure of UVR (P ≥ 0.180).

"Skin pigmentation and IPL fluence are major determinants of side effects after IPL exposure," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to The Proctor & Gamble Company, which funded the study.

Abstract
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