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Complications

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Aesthetic Applications of Intense Pulsed Light

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Abstract

As with any other medical technology, side effects and complications can occur after IPL treatment. Some complications can be prevented by knowing the principles of therapy and treatment strategies, and from having experience with the device. The complications caused by IPL treatments may be divided into two groups: those which are due to errors in handling of the device and those which are patient-dependent. Improper training of operators and insufficient experience may lead to undesirable results. Not infrequently there are “profit motivated “cosmetic centers” where IPL technology is used by people with minimal training and background. The second type of complication which is related to the patient’s skin reactivity is harder to be anticipated. The major complications are permanent pigmentary changes, hair stimulation, paradoxical effect, leukotrichia, uveitis and iritis and scarring. The minor complications are erythema and purpura which last more than three days, blisters, temporary pigmentary changes and temporary hair discoloration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel

    Dr. Lucian Fodor & Dr. Yehuda Ullmann

  2. Maccabbi Insurance, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Dr. Monica Elman

Authors
  1. Dr. Lucian Fodor
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  2. Dr. Yehuda Ullmann
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  3. Dr. Monica Elman
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Fodor, L., Ullmann, Y., Elman, M. (2011). Complications. In: Aesthetic Applications of Intense Pulsed Light. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-456-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-456-2_9

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