Management of Complications of Cosmetic Procedures by Antonella Tosti Kenneth Beer & Maria Pia Padova

Author:Antonella Tosti, Kenneth Beer & Maria Pia Padova
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg

6.7 Summary

Intense pulse light treatments are becoming ever more popular due to the vast skin conditions treated and because of the low side effect profile. IPL sources emit a broadband light ranging from 420 to 1,400 nm which targets the melanin and hemoglobin chromophores. Filters contained within the IPL device focus the broadband light to absorb target chromophores and therefore reduce the risk of unintended thermal injury.

IPL devices have a low complication profile, but problems due arise and need proper management. Side effects that are common following an IPL treatment include erythema, swelling, and slight purpura. Each of these common side effects can be treated with ice, head elevation, and numerous calming agents.

Less common complications include hyperpig­mentation, hypopigmentation, checkerboarding, blisters, and scarring. Each of these complications can be avoided with a thorough preope­rative medical history, but should such adverse events arise, proper treatment regimens should be initiated including bleaching agents and retinoids. Practitioners should also be attentive to each pulse delivered to ensure blisters, severe erythema, and intense purpura do not occur and to discontinue treatment immediately if any of these occur.

Intense pulsed light treatments are effective for numerous dermatologic conditions and therefore are a vital tool for practitioners. However, as with any laser or light treatment, caution must be taken to prevent adverse events, and patients must be properly educated on the risks, benefits, and expectations of such treatments.

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