Effectiveness of Intense Pulsed Light treatment in solar lentigo: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background and Design: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a light system of 500-1200 nm wavelength which is used for hair removal and non-ablative skin resurfacing as well as for the treatment of hyperpigmentation and superficial vascular lesions. The mechanism of action is thought to be the focal epidermal coagulation due to selective photothermolysis in the epidermal keratinocytes and melanocytes. A variety of laser systems can be used in the treatment of solar lentigo. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of IPL in solar lentigo. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with the diagnosis of solar lentigo in our Cosmetology Unit from March 2007 to November 2010. There were 139 files of patients who received clinical and dermoscopic diagnosis of solar lentigo and treated by IPL (L900 A&M). Informed consent was taken from all patients. Among them, 42 patients, who had attended regular follow-up visits and had pictures taken both before and after treatment, were included in the study. Results: A total of 52 lesions in 42 female and 1 male patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 42 +/- 9.6 (33-88) years. Thirty-seven lesions (51.9%) were on the cheek, 7 lesions (13.5%) were on the zygoma, 6 lesions (11.5%) were on the chin, 4 lesions (7.7%) were on the hands, 4 lesions (7.7%) were on the forehead, 2 lesions (3.8%) were on the nose, and 2 lesions (3.8%) were on the forearm. The mean number of sessions was 3.28, ranging between 1 and 7. After treatment, more than 75% improvement was observed in 57.7% of the lesions, 50-75% in 17.3% of the lesions, 25-50% in 17.3% of the lesions, and less than 25% improvement was obtained in 7.7% of the lesions. Conclusion: According to the results of our work, IPL can be considered to be an effective, cheap and safe method in terms of its side effects in the treatment of solar lentigo.