IPL for Japanese Women Effective Under Certain Conditions

One of the documented problems with intense pulsed light therapy (IPL), a form of laser skin treatment, is that IPL typically has negative side effects for non-Caucasian women.

Women of different ethnicities are prone to hyperpigmentation (excessive darkening of certain areas) or hyperlightening (excessive lightening of certain areas) which can create problems when obvious areas of the face and neck are being treated.

Another side effect of [tag-tec]IPL[/tag-tec] for ethnic skins is the development of purpura, which are purplish-bluish spots all over the face, which take several days to disappear. They can be covered up with foundation, but, really, the side effects of standard IPL treatments may not be worth it for most women.

However, a new study of IPL, completed on 25 Japanese women found that using shorter wavelengths and shorter pulse widths actually worked better for these patients than the standard wavelengths and pulse widths.

In this study, there was greater than 50% or more improvement in pigmentation and skin tone for IPL delivered at shorter wavelength and shorter pulse widths. This offers great hope for women of all ethnicities who would like to undergo [tag-ice] IPL[/tag-ice] but have been afraid of the side effects of doing so.

If you are considering IPL as a woman of non-Caucasian skin color, talk to your doctor about this new research on shorter wavelengths and shorter pulse widths- it may be just what you need to take advantage of the benefits of IPL without the complications.