Intense pulsed light: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:07, 11 October 2020

Revision as of 04:32, 18 October 2020

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==Description==

''Intense pulsed light'' is the use of intense [[Pulse (physics)|pulses]] of non-[[coherent light]] over a range of [[wavelength]]s from 500&nbsp;nm to 1200&nbsp;nm.<ref name=IPLS>{{cite web|title=Intense Pulsed Light Systems|url=http://www.palomarmedical.com/uploaddocs/intense-pulsed-light-systems.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127221735/http://palomarmedical.com/uploadDocs/Intense-Pulsed-Light-Systems.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2010|publisher=HMP Communications|accessdate=2 August 2012}}</ref> [[Xenon]] flashlamps produce high output bursts of broad spectrum. Cooling is used to protect the skin in contact with the device.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lahiri|first=Koushik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HKJDAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA54&dqq=Xenon%20flash%20lamps%20produce%20high%20output%20bursts%20of%20broad%20spectrum.%20Cooling%20is%20used%20to%20protect%20the%20skin%20in%20contact%20with%20the%20device.&pg=PA54#v=onepage|title=Textbook of Lasers in Dermatology|date=2016-07-30|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=978-93-85999-62-8|language=en}}</ref>

Regulations governing IPL vary by jurisdiction.<ref name="DOH">{{cite web|title=Laser Information |url=http://www.doh.state.fl.us/MQA/medical/me_laser.html |publisher=Florida Department of Health |accessdate=2 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104061415/http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/medical/me_laser.html |archivedate=November 4, 2012 }}</ref>{{Better source|date=March 2020}} A distinction is sometimes made{{By whom|date=March 2020}} between beauty-grade and medical-grade machines, mainly to get around regulations.

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=== Protocol ===

Broad-[[light spectrum|spectrum]] [[light]] is applied to the surface of the [[skin]], targeting melanin. This light travels through the skin until it strikes the [[hair]] shafts or [[hair follicle]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Husain|first1=Zain|last2=Alster|first2=Tina S|date=2016-02-04|title=The role of lasers and intense pulsed light technology in dermatology|journal=Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology|volume=9|pages=29–40|doi=10.2147/CCID.S69106|issn=1178-7015|pmc=4745852|pmid=26893574}}</ref> The follicle is usually where the highest concentration of [[melanin]] is located.<ref name=":0" /> As the light is absorbed, the bulb and most of the hair shaft are heated, destroying the hair-producing [[Papillary dermis|papilla]].<ref name=":2" /> It is also claimed that heat conversion occurs directly in the darker capillaries that bring blood to the follicle.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lahiri|first=Koushik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HKJDAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA55&dqq=The%20area%20to%20be%20treated%20should%20be%20clean%20shaven%20and%20free%20of%20sunburn.%20IPL&pg=PA55#v=onepage|title=Textbook of Lasers in Dermatology|date=2016-07-30|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=978-93-85999-62-8|___location=|pages=55|language=en}}</ref>

At any one time, not all hair follicles are ‘active’, and only active hair follicles can be affected by the treatment.<ref name=":1" /> ‘Inactive’ hair follicles can be treated as they become ‘active’ over time.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} For IPL treatments, an average of 8–10 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart, are required to remove most visible hair.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lahiri|first=Koushik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HKJDAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA55&dqq=The%20area%20to%20be%20treated%20should%20be%20clean%20shaven%20and%20free%20of%20sunburn.%20IPL&pg=PA55#v=snippet|title=Textbook of Lasers in Dermatology|date=2016-07-30|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=978-93-85999-62-8|___location=|pages=55|language=en}}</ref>

There is no common treatment protocol, as it depends on the equipment used and patient skin type. The area to be treated should be clean shaven and free of sunburn.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lahiri|first=Koushik|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HKJDAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA55&dqq=The%20area%20to%20be%20treated%20should%20be%20clean%20shaven%20and%20free%20of%20sunburn.%20IPL&pg=PA55#v=onepage|title=Textbook of Lasers in Dermatology|date=2016-07-30|publisher=JP Medical Ltd|isbn=978-93-85999-62-8|language=en}}</ref> Treatments are often given in doctors' offices and so-called "medspas" by trained practitioners.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Although IPL treatments will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs, they will not result in a permanent removal of all hair.<ref name=":3">{{cite journal|last=Klein|first=A.|author2=Steinert, S. |title=Photoepilation with a diode laser vs. intense pulsed light (IPL): a randomized, intra-patient left-to-right trial|journal=British Journal of Dermatology|volume=168|issue=6|date=1 December 2012| pages=1287–93| doi=10.1111/bjd.12182|pmid=23278132|last3=Baeumler| first3=W. |last4=Landthaler|first4=M.|last5=Babilas|first5=P.|s2cid=8889666}}</ref> This distinction is only relevant in the USA because of FDA wording.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}