A practical comparison of IPLs and the Copper Bromide Laser for photorejuvenation, acne and the treatment of vascular & pigmented lesions

The recent rapid growth in demand for non-invasive light-based cosmetic treatments such as removal of unwanted facial and body hair, skin rejuvenation, removal of age-related and sun induced blemishes including pigment and vascular lesions as well as lines and wrinkles has led to a boom in the sale of medical devices that claim to treat these conditions. The often onerous safety regulations governing the sale and use of Class 4 lasers has contributed disproportionately to the popularity of similarly powerful non-laser Intense Pulse Light sources (“IPL”), particularly in the salon and spa sector. The practical science-based comparisons made in this review and the welldocumented case studies in peer reviewed literature show that single treatment success in eradicating vascular and pigmented lesions may only be achieved by high fluence, wavelength-specific laser treatment and without the need for skin cooling. Introduction: hair removal with IPL The recent success of IPL in delaying hair re-growth (“hair management”) and permanent hair reduction (“photo-waxing”) is dependant upon using high energy settings for the former and is thought to work primarily because melanin absorbs energy across a wide spectrum of wavelengths. Cumulatively enough energy is absorbed to damage the hair follicle. It is also suggested that the longer wavelengths absorbed by blood and tissue water may also collectively damage hair follicle support structures such as the blood supply to the hair bulb aided by the overall temperature rise in the adjacent tissue. The large spot sizes used together with the wide range of wavelengths may also go some way to increase depth of light penetration into the underlying follicular bulb. Photorejuvenation This paper is an evaluation, based upon the science, of the differences, advantages and disadvantages of broadband large area light sources such as IPLs compared with narrow band medical laser devices. A Copper Bromide (CuBr) Laser used in photorejuvenation and the treatment of vascular and pigmented blemishes is an example of these devices. The clinical effectiveness of copper lasers producing 511 and 578nm wavelengths is well documented in the literature. (1-54) Dye lasers operating in the narrow range of 580-585nm have similarly shown effectiveness in treating vascular lesions. Whilst it is generally recognized that new high-powered IPL devices have been shown to be effective in permanent hair reduction, there is little objective evidence of successful treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions let alone