Intense Pulse Light

Intensed Pulse Light: Although not a laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is currently being used to treat a variety of skin conditions including telangiectasia (spider veins), leg veins, Photorejuvenation, Acne, Melasma, as well as most popularly for hair removal. Basically, the device is a flashlamp attached to a power source. Pulses of broadband light are applied through Sapphire filters which can be adjusted to match the patient's skin type and the target lesion. Cost of the devices (and of the procedures!) is similar to that of comparable lasers. Not only fast and versatile, IPL devices are as good as any laser at a given task . **But sometime single dedicated laser do perform slightly better for that particular indication .

As a photonic "Swiss Army Knife", Intensed Pulsed light (IPL) devices have become very popular over the recent past. They are much less costly to manufacture than lasers-they're basically a pulsed laser without the costly laser components such as the laser rod, pump chamber, optics, and delivery device. Broadband light has the ability to target multiple chromophores, including blood and melanin, and although cutoff filters can modify the emitted broadband spectrum.

IPL devices have been agressively marketed to physicians as a less expensive, "one box" alternative to multiple dedicated lasers. In addition to versatility, IPL devices have the advantage of larger spot sizes than lasers, which is useful for treating large areas quickly.