Vascular tumor

Traditionally, vascular tumors are treated with the pulsed dye and argon tunable dye lasers with variable results since vascular lesions may lie deeply in the dermis. Besides, these therapeutics may leave scars and produce marked purpura with subsequent hyperpigmentation. With the aid of different cut-off filters, the optimal wavelength spectrum can be filtered out to correspond to the absorption behavior and the depth of the target structure.

 

The pulse duration of IPL systems can be set to be lower than the thermal relaxation time of the target structure so that the surrounding tissue is not damaged. Cheng-Sheng Chiu et al. reported an adult case of tufted angioma, with unusual presentation as annular plaques, which was alleviated after treatment with IPL.

 

They used a 560 nm cut-off filter and a fluence of 40 J/cm2 to deliver a 2.8-ms and 6.0-ms pulse in double mode with a 20-ms interpulse delay. Four treatment sessions were administered at 3- to 4-week intervals. Through examination using laser Doppler perfusion imaging with flowmetry, they proved that the abnormal tissue perfusion of the tufted angioma was decreased after IPL treatment.

 

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Conclusion

We have introduced the recent progresses of IPL studies and clinical applications in Taiwan. Today, people can have their IPL treatments easily for facial pigmented spots, fine wrinkles, telangiectasias, and even pore sizes during lunch breaks (the concept of “Lunch Beauty Makeover”).

 

However, the “Zebra lines” caused by IPL because of over exposure to high energy sometimes occurred, especially by physicians from other specialties without adequate trainings. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate cutoff filter, energy or fluence, pulse duration, and pulse interval to perform a successful IPL treatment.