Photorejuvenation with intense pulsed light: results of a multi-center study

This multi-center study evaluating the role of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in the non-ablative rejuvenation of Type I and Type II photoaged skin study was conducted in order to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of using IPL in treating clinical indications associated with photoaged skin. Ninety-three patients of Fitzpatrick skin phenotypes I-III, Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Classes I-II, and Elastosis Scores 1-6 were enrolled in the study. Up to five treatments were performed at 4-week intervals with follow-up visits at 4 and 6 months after the last treatment. Patients received full-face treatments using the recommended parameters of the Quantum SR/HR (Lumenis Ltd.) with the 560 or 640 nm cutoff filter. Parameters of elastometry, physicians' evaluation of the Elastosis Score ('W/ES'), and global improvement as well as patient satisfaction were analyzed. Results showed that the average Fitzpatrick W/ES improved significantly (p<0.001) by 1.39 and 1.32 units at the 4 and 6 months follow-ups, respectively; an improved W/ES evaluation was recorded for 82% and 75% of the patients at each of these time points. In conclusion, IPL treatment is an effective non-invasive, non-ablative method for rejuvenating photoaged skin with minimal adverse events, no downtime, excellent long-term results, and a very high measure of patient satisfaction.