title: Intense pulsed light photorejuvenation: a histological and immunohistochemical evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of intense pulsed light (IPL) for facial rejuvenation had been the topic of many studies. However, few of them discussed quantitative changes in extracellular matrix proteins after IPL therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To objectively quantify the histological changes in extracellular matrix proteins after IPL treatment for facial wrinkles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biopsy specimens were obtained from the periocular area of six volunteers of Fitzpatrick skin type III-IV and Glogau's class I-III wrinkles. They were subjected to three months of IPL treatment (six sessions at two-week intervals). Using histological and immunostaining analysis coupled with computerized morphometric analysis, quantitative evaluation of collagen types I, III and VII, newly synthesized collagen, total elastin and tropoelastin was performed for skin biopsies at baseline, end of treatment, and three months post-treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical assessment of volunteers did not show clinically noticeable improvement in facial wrinkles after IPL treatment. Furthermore, quantitative evaluation of extracellular matrix proteins showed no statistically significant changes (P>0.05) in response to IPL treatment
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although 50 percent of volunteers showed mild improvement in skin texture at the end of IPL treatment, none of them reported improvement in skin tightening or wrinkles. No statistically significant histological changes were observed three months post IPL treatment.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Al-Minya University, Al-Minya, Egypt. moetazeldomyati@yahoo.com
authors: Moetaz
authors: M
authors: El-Domyati
authors: Tarek S
authors: TS
authors: El-Ammawi
authors: Osama
authors: O
authors: Moawad
authors: Walid
authors: W
authors: Medhat
authors: My G
authors: MG
authors: Mahoney
authors: Jouni
authors: J
authors: Uitto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D024143:Collagen Type VII / Q000378:metabolism; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D024143:Collagen Type VII