Cosmetic Medicine by Dr Eddie Roos

COSMETIC MEDICINE
The healing power of light has been recognised and used for thousands of
years, dating back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Over the millennia,
our understanding and use of light-based therapies have continually evolved
to optimise results, reduce downtime and treat a wide range of skin conditions
and ageing concerns.
For cosmetic indications, light-based treatments can be broadly categorised
as intense pulsed light therapy, photodynamic therapy and laser therapies.
INTENSE PULSED LIGHT THERAPY
Intense pulsed light (IPL) in cosmetic therapy uses light wavelengths that safely
target either melanin or haemoglobin in the skin. It can be used to permanently
reduce unwanted hair growth, fade brown spots and cauterise enlarged or
broken capillaries and port wine stain birthmarks. Some treatments have been
developed specifically to treat rosacea.
Unlike lasers, IPL devices produce a broad spectrum of light in a range of
wavelengths. The emitted light is further adjustable through the use of filters,
allowing any skin colour to be treated. The range of light is typically between
500-1500nm, depending on the machine and filter used. This versatility allows
the characteristics of the light energy to be adjusted according to each patient’s
skin type, specific condition and location of the area to be treated.
In terms of safety, the two types are similar, but with both IPL and laser
facial rejuvenation treatments the practitioner and patient each need to use eye
protection, and treatment needs to occur in a controlled area where people
cannot wander in and be exposed to the light.
While lasers and IPL treat many of the same conditions, IPL is a single
technology for a multitude of applications – from unsightly veins and birthmarks
to ageing and sun-damaged skin, unwanted hair and rosacea.
During the procedure pulses of intense light are fired at the skin through
varying filters which isolate specific wavelengths of light. Various targets (such
as haemoglobin in the blood to remove vascular lesions, or melanin to treat
hyperpigmentation) are preferentially absorbed, heated and selectively destroyed
by certain light wavelengths (called selective photothermolysis) without damaging
surrounding tissues.
IPL treatment cannot typically address extensive sun damage and skin
discolourations but it can reduce surfaced capillaries and brown spots, as
well as help revitalise and even out the overall complexion. Typically four to six
treatments are required for optimal results.
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 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 oedema. Reactions
such as scabbing and blistering are possible though rare. It is important to
protect skin from UV light with daily sunscreen application.
DR EDDIE ROOS WWW.COSMETICELEGANCE.COM.AU // 25