Efficacy and self-reported side reactions of intense pulsed light treatment for photoaging in a cohort of 217 patients.
- 1Department of Cosmetic Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Youdian Road 54, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- 2Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, West Lake Road 38, Hangzhou, 310009, China. [email protected].
Abstract
In recent years, intense pulsed light (IPL) has been widely used in cosmetics. Most studies have focused on the efficacy of IPL and considered it to be both effective and safe; however, some adverse reactions may be ignored in clinical practice. We enrolled 217 patients to analyze their reactions to IPL treatment combined with clinical observation and self-report, and every patient received three full-face treatments one month apart. The overall and significant efficacy rates were 65.9% and 33.2%, respectively. The main adverse reactions to IPL treatment included pain, facial flushing, skin scabs, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, acne-like rashes, and drier facial skin. We believe that treatment parameters, particularly energy, play an important role in the occurrence of adverse reactions. In conclusion, IPL should be considered for patients based on its efficacy and mild reactions, but the possibility of severe adverse reactions must not be ignored.
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BibTeX
@article{cai2026efficacy,
title = {{Efficacy and self-reported side reactions of intense pulsed light treatment for photoaging in a cohort of 217 patients.}},
author = {YuJia Cai and Wenzhong Xiang},
journal = {Lasers in medical science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s10103-026-05082-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42955407},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Efficacy and self-reported side reactions of intense pulsed light treatment for photoaging in a cohort of 217 patients.
AU - YuJia Cai
AU - Wenzhong Xiang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Lasers in medical science
DO - 10.1007/s10103-026-05082-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42955407
AB - In recent years, intense pulsed light (IPL) has been widely used in cosmetics. Most studies have focused on the efficacy of IPL and considered it to be both effective and safe; however, some adverse reactions may be ignored in clinical practice. We enrolled 217 patients to analyze their reactions to IPL treatment combined with clinical observation and self-report, and every patient received three full-face treatments one month apart. The overall and significant efficacy rates were 65.9% and 33.2%, respectively. The main adverse reactions to IPL treatment included pain, facial flushing, skin scabs, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, acne-like rashes, and drier facial skin. We believe that treatment parameters, particularly energy, play an important role in the occurrence of adverse reactions. In conclusion, IPL should be considered for patients based on its efficacy and mild reactions, but the possibility of severe adverse reactions must not be ignored.
SN - 0268-8921
SN - 1435-604X
ER -