Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) delivers a broader spectrum of light energy, unlike a laser’s single wavelength – but it is not a laser. IPL is a non-invasive procedure that has been shown to help improve the appearance of red and brown skin discolourations, birthmarks and symptoms of rosacea, as well as to tighten and refine the appearance of the skin. This process is also known as photorejuvenation or a photofacial.
The usual downtime with IPL modalities is minimal to none, depending on the intensity of treatment, however full recovery can take around two weeks in some cases. Immediately after IPL a slight burning sensation can occur for a few hours but there is generally little discomfort. Temporary discolouration can usually occur for around three to four days after the procedure and this skin will flake off slowly. Short-term side effects include reddening of the skin (erythema), temporary bruising and swelling (oedema). Reactions such as scabbing and blistering are possible, though rare. It’s important to protect skin from UV light with daily sunscreen application.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a shallower, gentler treatment than IPL, and is often used for collagen boosting and rejuvenating the skin. LED comes in a variety of colours – red for fighting acne, blue to combat bacteria and yellow to reduce redness.
LEDs are very small lightbulbs that, in contrast to ordinary incandescent bulbs, don’t get especially hot and don’t burn out. LEDs have been found to trigger natural chemical processes inside the cells, boosting the body’s own production of collagen, which make them particularly useful for skin rejuvenation. Together with certain photo-reactive acids, LEDs have been shown to be extremely effective in the treatment of acne – this is known as photo dynamic therapy.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a chemical reaction activated by light energy (LED light or laser) to selectively destroy specific tissues, and can be used to treat sunspots, certain types of skin cancer, rosacea, acne and sun-damaged skin.
A photosensitising medication is applied topically on the skin and a narrow band of light (red or blue light) is administered to cause a moderately deep exfoliation and target damaged tissue and sebaceous glands. When skin is exposed to a light source of an appropriate wavelength, its photosensitiser molecules are activated to produce oxygen intermediates that destroy the targeted cells. Recovery time is around two weeks after each treatment and usually one to three sessions are required.
The benefits and applications for laser and light-based treatments continue to grow, and their full potential for treating a myriad of cosmetic and medical issues is perhaps still to be realised.
