Photorejuvenation for Asian skin by intense pulsed light.
BACKGROUND
Dermabrasion and deep chemical peeling are used in the treatment of photoaged skin. These ablative procedures are effective enough to produce a certain improvement but have often caused postinflammatory hyperpigmentation among Asian patients. To avoid such adverse effects, a new, nonablative procedure has been sought.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of photorejuvenation for Asian skin using intense pulsed light (IPL). The specific parameters used, improvement ratios, side-effects, and downtime required are also discussed.


METHODS
Ninety-seven patients were treated for photoaging using IPL. The cutoff filters of 550 nm and 570 nm were utilized for three to six treatments at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks.


RESULTS
Treatment results were evaluated and rated by both patients and physicians at the end of the third treatment based on improvement in pigmentation, telangiectasia, and skin texture. A combined rating of "good" or "excellent" was given to more than 90% of the patients for pigmentation, more than 83% for telangiectasia, and more than 65% for skin texture. There were some minor complications in four cases: one had erythema that continued to the next day and three had minor blisters leaving no marks.


CONCLUSIONS
Photorejuvenation using IPL is a completely safe and effective procedure even for Asian skin. It will be increasingly used for skin rejuvenation in the future.
Negishi
K
K
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Daini Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Tezuka
Y
Y
Kushikata
N
N
Wakamatsu
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D015595:Skin Aging; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000628:therapy