1.What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a type of light therapy that uses high-intensity pulses of light, and it is a non-laser light source. IPL technology is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that employs strong light emitted in pulses to address various skin concerns.

2.Comparison Between Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Laser Characteristics

Laser (LASER) stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The characteristics of laser include monochromaticity (single wavelength), coherence, and parallelism.

In contrast, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is not a laser. Its characteristics are polychromaticity (multiple wavelengths), incoherence, and non-parallelism.

3.Wavelength Range and Electromagnetic Spectrum of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

The wavelength range of IPL is 400–1200 nm. It covers the spectral bands of visible light (400–750 nm) and near-infrared light (750–1200 nm).

4. What is OPT Technology?

OPT = Optimal Pulse Technology .

OPT is a technical term for the output waveform of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). It achieves a uniform “square wave” distribution, eliminating the initial energy spikes of traditional IPL pulses (enhancing safety) and avoiding the energy attenuation at the end of traditional IPL pulses (improving efficacy).

5. What is AOPT Technology?

AOPT = Advanced OPT .

AOPT introduces two major technological upgrades:

Addition of dual-band filters for Acne and Vascular treatments.

Realization of adjustable energy for each sub-pulse (entering AOPT mode).

6. Adjustable Parameters and Modes of Lumenis IPL

   1Number of pulses (1–3 sub-pulses)

   2Energy density

   3Pulse width (pulse duration)

   4Pulse delay time

   5AOPT mode

   6Cooling (on/off)

7.What Filters Does AOPT Super Photon Have?

• 515–1200 nm

• 560–1200 nm

• 590–1200 nm

• 615–1200 nm

• 640–1200 nm

• 695–1200 nm

• ACNE: 400–600 nm, 800–1200 nm

• Vascular: 530–650 nm, 900–1200 nm  

8.What Are the Mechanisms of Action of Photons?

The mechanisms of photon action include Selective Photothermolysis and Extended Selective Photothermolysis.

• Selective Photothermolysis is a well-known principle, where light of a specific wavelength is absorbed by a target chromophore, generating heat to achieve therapeutic effects.

• Extended Selective Photothermolysis means that the target chromophore and the target tissue are different. The light is absorbed by the chromophore, and the generated heat diffuses to the surrounding target tissue, causing its destruction and achieving the therapeutic goal.

Typical examples of Extended Selective Photothermolysis are hair removal and vascular closure:

• In hair removal, intense pulsed light (IPL) is absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle (chromophore). The heat then diffuses to damage the hair follicle stem cells (target tissue), resulting in hair removal.

• In vascular treatments, IPL is absorbed by hemoglobin in blood vessels (chromophore). The heat then diffuses to damage the vessel walls (target tissue), leading to vascular closure.

9. What Are the Biological Effects of Photon–Tissue Interaction?

When intense pulsed light (IPL) interacts with tissue, it produces biological effects that achieve therapeutic purposes. The biological effects of photons mainly include Selective Photothermolysis and Photochemical Effects.

• Photochemical effects can be further divided into:

  • Photodynamic effect: A typical example is acne treatment. Blue light acts on the endogenous porphyrins produced by Propionibacterium acnes, triggering a photodynamic reaction that kills the bacteria.

  • Photobiomodulation (PBM) effect (also known as photomodulation): Whether photons truly exert a photomodulation effect is still under debate. In theory, low-energy light acting on the skin may have such an effect, mainly by regulating cellular functions.

For photons, we know that their primary mechanism is Selective Photothermolysis.

• When thermal effects dominate, cells may be damaged, losing their functions, and thus unable to undergo photomodulation.

• Therefore, photons can only exert photomodulation under very low energy, gentle parameters, and when the patient feels no heat sensation. This is crucial to remember.

10. What Are the Target Chromophores of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?

The target chromophores of IPL include:

• Pigment (melanin)

• Water

• Hemoglobin (oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin)