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Intense pulsed light treatment for inflammatory skin diseases: a review

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Abstract

Although intense pulsed light (IPL) has been commonly used in the field of medical cosmetics in recent years, the exact outcomes of IPL in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases remain unclear. To assess the clinical evidence for the use of IPL in the treatment of various inflammatory skin diseases and propose evidence-based recommendations, we searched for relevant publications in the PubMed and Web of Science databases and provided updated information. The inflammatory skin diseases treated with IPL consisted of acne vulgaris, rosacea, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), atopic dermatitis (AD), Riehl’s melanosis, lupus erythematosus, cutaneous sarcoidosis, pilonidal cysts, and pigmented actinic lichen planus (PALP). The efficacy of IPL treatment for these inflammatory skin diseases was described and evaluated. Forty-two studies were included to provide this assessment. The evidence suggests that IPL can effectively and safely improve acne vulgaris and rosacea (recommendation grade B). For other described inflammatory skin diseases, IPL can be used as a tentative or supplementary treatment (recommendation grade C and D). The main complications include transitory erythema, edema, and pain, with the possibility of hyperpigmentation, blisters, and a burning sensation in some individuals.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Hangzhou health science and technology key project (No 20220054). This work was supported by Hangzhou medical key discipline construction project (No [2021]21-3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, West Lake Road 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People’s Republic of China

    Yujia Cai, Yuan Zhu & Yanqing Wang

  2. Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, West Lake Road 38, Hangzhou, 310009, People’s Republic of China

    Wenzhong Xiang

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Cai, Y., Zhu, Y., Wang, Y. et al. Intense pulsed light treatment for inflammatory skin diseases: a review. Lasers Med Sci 37, 3085–3105 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-022-03620-1

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