Effects of intense pulsed light on sun-damaged human skin, routine, and ultrastructural analysis

Background and Objective: New, non-ablative methods can be used in skin rejuvenation. Histologic analysis of non-ablative IPL effects on facial, sun-damaged skin. Study Design/ Materials and Methods: Five female subjects, wrinkle class I or II and Fitzpatrick skin types I, II, and III. IPL treatment: once monthly, 560-nm cut-off filters, spot size 8x35 mm, 28-36 J/cm. Routine histology or electron microscopy on 2-mm punches, before treatment and then 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months. Results: Pre-treatment specimens contained solar elastosis and perifollicular lymphoid infiltrates. Collagen and elastic fibers appeared unaffected by treatment. At 1-week, Demodex organisms appeared coagulated. Conclusions: Under these conditions, IPL induces minimal morphologic changes in mildly sun-damaged skin. Some esthetic improvement may be secondary to clearing of Demodex organisms and reduction of associated lymphocytic infiltrate. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.