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Intense-Pulsed Light (IPL) for Telengiectasia and Reticular Veins

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Aesthetic Applications of Intense Pulsed Light

Abstract

The use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy in the treatment of a variety of dermatologic conditions has increased in use since the early 1990’s. In particular, it has become more popular in the treatment of disorders of chronic venous insufficiency, including reticular veins and telangiectasias. In the past, sclerotherapy and traditional lasers had been used for this purpose, however these procedures may leave patients with adverse long-term effects. The IPL source emits light from a wide spectrum of wavelengths but use of selective cut-off filters allows safe and effective treatment according to an individual’s skin type. This helps reduce adverse effects such as blistering, erythema, and burns that are commonly seen when traditional therapy is used. When proper patient selection and methodology is implemented, IPL has proven to be a successful alternative to traditional therapies and has been very effective, specifically for their use in treatment of facial telangiectasias. Further studies need to be done to elucidate their effects in the treatment of reticular veins alone, however the few studies that have been done are promising.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Rachel Shireen Golpanian

  2. Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Andrew Dorizas

  3. Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, Sadick Dermatology and Research, New York, NY, USA

    Neil Sadick

Authors
  1. Rachel Shireen Golpanian
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  2. Andrew Dorizas
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  3. Neil Sadick
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neil Sadick .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Emergency District Hospital, Cluj Napoca, Romania

    Lucian Fodor

  2. Director Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel

    Yehuda Ullmann

Multiple Choice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

12.1.1 Q1: True or False, IPL Is Safer and More Efficacious in Facial Versus Leg Veins

  1. (a)

    True

  2. (b)

    False

12.1.2 Q2: The Type of Light IPL Produces Is

  1. (a)

    Noncoherent, polychromatic light

  2. (b)

    Coherent, polychromatic light

  3. (c)

    Noncoherent, monochromatic light

  4. (d)

    Coherent, monochromatic light

12.1.3 Q3: True or False, Reticular Veins and Telangiectasias Are a Symptom of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

  1. (a)

    True

  2. (b)

    False

12.1.4 Q4: IPL and Lasers for Leg Telangiectasias/Reticular Veins Are an Alternative to

  1. (a)

    Endovenous laser ablation

  2. (b)

    Sclerotherapy

  3. (c)

    Endovenous radiofrequency ablation

  4. (d)

    All of the above

12.1.5 Q5: True or False, Telangiectasias and Reticular Veins Always Coexist

  1. (a)

    True

  2. (b)

    False

12.1.6 Q6: What Is the Preferred Wavelength for Treating a Leg Telangiectasias/Reticular Veins

  1. (a)

    1200 nm

  2. (b)

    755 nm

  3. (c)

    580 nm

  4. (d)

    860 nm

12.1.7 Q7: Common Adverse Events Associated with IPL Include

  1. (a)

    Burns

  2. (b)

    Blisters

  3. (c)

    Discoloration

  4. (d)

    All of the above

12.1.8 Q8: True or False, IPL Is Safe for All Skin Types

  1. (a)

    True

  2. (b)

    False

12.1.9 Q9: True or False, IPL Can Be Combined with Lasers and/or Sclerotherapy

  1. (a)

    True

  2. (b)

    False

12.1.10 Q10: When Treating a Patient with IPL, the Ideal Treatment Interval Is:

  1. (a)

    Twice a week

  2. (b)

    Once a month

  3. (c)

    As needed

  4. (d)

    Annually

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Golpanian, R.S., Dorizas, A., Sadick, N. (2020). Intense-Pulsed Light (IPL) for Telengiectasia and Reticular Veins. In: Fodor, L., Ullmann, Y. (eds) Aesthetic Applications of Intense Pulsed Light. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22829-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22829-3_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-22828-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-22829-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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