title: Treatment of Persistent Facial Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation With Novel Pulse-in-Pulse Mode Intense Pulsed Light.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is an acquired hypermelanosis induced by various causes including inflammatory dermatoses, injury, or cosmetic procedures, such as lasers or chemical peels, and it tends to affect dark-skinned people with greater frequency and severity. There are a variety of treatment options for PIH, including topical agents, chemical peels, laser, and light therapy. However, the results are not up to expectation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical efficacy and safety of novel pulse-in-pulse mode intense pulsed light (IPL) for the treatment of persistent facial PIH in Korean patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five Korean female patients (Fitzpatrick skin types III-V) with persistent facial PIH were enrolled in the study. The patients were treated with novel pulse-in-pulse mode IPL for 4 sessions at 1-week interval and 4 sessions at 2-week intervals. Treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction were evaluated using photographs and questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 2 months of all treatments, 23 patients (92%) had more than 50% improvement and 22 patients (88%) were satisfied with the treatments. No adverse effects or aggravations were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pulse-in-pulse mode IPL treatment is effective and safe for persistent facial PIH in dark-skinned patients.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; †Department of Dermatology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jung-In
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won-Serk
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D062325:Intense Pulsed Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction