Abstract
The effects of light on skin are due to various degrees of absorption of electromagnetic radiation. The visible light spectrum has a 400–760 nm wavelength. The light-tissue interaction effects are due to absorption and excitation of photons. The Intense Pulse Light is situated in the visible light of the electromagnetic spectrum. Once the light reaches the skin, part of it is absorbed, part is reflected or scattered, and part is further transmitted. Selective photothermolysis is the basic principle of Intense Pulsed Light treatment. It consists of matching a specific wavelength and pulse duration to obtain optimal effect on a target tissue with minimal effect on the surrounding tissues. The structures of the tissue that absorb the photons are known as chromophores. They have different wavelengths of absorption. The most common chromophores encountered in the skin are: hemoglobin and its derivates, melanin, water and foreign pigmented tattoos. The main target structures for Intense Pulsed Light treatment are melanin and blood vessels. The fluence delivered to the chromophores must be high enough to destroy them. In order to enhance the photodynamic therapy effect which is based on selective phothermolysis, photosensistizers can be used as adjuvants.
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Fodor, L., Ullmann, Y., Elman, M. (2011). Light Tissue Interactions. In: Aesthetic Applications of Intense Pulsed Light. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-456-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-456-2_2
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