Intense pulsed light technology and its improvement on skin aging from the patients' perspective using...

Intense pulsed light technology (IPL) has been used for photorejuvenation or the reversal of skin aging. There are few studies to address the putative benefits from the patients' perspective. This information is critical for adequate patient counselling and satisfaction. The goal of this study was to quantify the change in apparent facial age that can be expected from the patients' point of view. Using currently available parameters that have been individualized to patients' responses, five patients underwent treatment with IPL. Their subjective improvement scores were collected using visual analog scales. All patients showed improvement from their perspective. Quantification of this improvement showed that in this population, patients can expect, on average, a two year reduction in perceived age per treatment. This finding may be useful when discussing intense pulsed light technology with current patients and those prospective patients considering this procedure.