Intense Pulsed Light

Abstract

In addition to lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL) sources are widely used in medicine to treat various indications, such as vascular lesions, irregular pigmentation and hypertrichosis. In contrast to lasers, IPL systems are broadband flash lamps that emit polychromatic incoherent light ranging from visible to infrared (500-1,300 nm). Optical filters are used to tailor the polychromatic light to specific needs. As a broad range of wavelengths are delivered, treatment of multiple chromophores--including melanin, hemoglobin, water and collagen--within the same exposure is possible.