Intense Pulsed Light Source

Although used predominantly for the treatment of vascular lesions and hypertrophic scars [2, 47], clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of 585nm and 595nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) to reduce mild facial rhytides with few side effects [48-51]. The most common side effects include mild edema, purpura, and transient post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Although increased extracellular matrix proteins and types I and III collagen and procollagen have been detected following PDL treatment, the exact mechanism whereby wrinkle improvement is effected remains unknown. It has been hypothesized that the selective heating of dermal vessels leads to release of endothelial- derived growth factors and cytokines that up-regulate fibroblasts in treated skin, thereby resulting in neocollagenesis and rhytide reduction.