Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL Treatment)
Intensed Pulse Light [IPL] for Acne/ Pimples-
IPL is a intensed Pulse light therapy which is commonly used to treat multiple skin problems such as pustular acne lesions, post acne pigmentation, Acne rosacea, Post acne redness. It is also used to treat unwanted, excess body hair.
IPL therapy is a non-invasive light therapy, which targets the lower layers of skin (dermis) without affecting the top layers of skin (epidermis).
How IPL treatment effective in treating Acne?
IPL in acne, acts by photodynamic therapy. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) produces the porphyrins a chemical, during their growth and multiply in huge number in the follicular units especially in patients having cystic and pustular acne. These porphyrins absorb the red & blue light & helps to destroy acne forming bacteria.
IPL is also a very effective treatment for post acne red scars which is termed as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH. Light pulses are targeted at the red-pigment (hemoglobin) in the blood which heats and destroys the pigment, without affecting the skin or other tissues.
Role of IPL in Acne Rosacea-
Acne rosacea is very common skin condition with lot of redness and burning on skin especially when exposed to sunlight, heat and temperature change.
In treatment of Rosacea, it helps to target blood vessels , capillaries in skin , which helps to reduce redness , vascularity of skin .Multiple sessions are needed to achieve best possible results .
The advantage of IPL therapy:
IPL procedure involves minimal downtime – a patient can often have the procedure done in their lunch break and return to work immediately afterwards.
During the procedure: –
- The smooth, IPL head is applied to the skin.
- This helps to deliver pulses of light to the area being treated.
- Treatment goes on for10 to 15 min.
- A course of 4-6 sessions every 3-6 weeks may be needed to achieve desired results.
- Most patients can resume their normal routine, immediately after treatment.
