Clinical improvement of solar lentigines and ephelides with an intense pulsed light source

Dermatol Surg. 2002 Jun;28(6):504-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.01175.x.

Abstract

Background: A noncoherent, broadband, intense pulsed light (IPL) source has been used for the symptoms of photoaging skin as a nonablative method.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of IPL in solar lentigines and ephelides on the face.

Methods: An open study was performed in patients with solar lentigines and ephelides who received three to five treatments of IPL.

Results: Forty-eight percent of patients had more than 50% improvement and 20% had more than 75% improvement. In the group of solar lentigines, 40% of patients showed more than 50% improvement and 16% had more than 75% improvement. Patients with small plaques of solar lentigines responded well, whereas patients with small + large and large plaques showed poor response. Patients with solar lentigines + ephelides and ephelides responded remarkably with 75% and 71% of patients, respectively, having more than 50% improvement.

Conclusion: IPL was well tolerated and may be a new modality for the therapy of solar lentigines and ephelides.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lentigo / therapy*
  • Male
  • Melanosis / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phototherapy / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome