Sequential facial skin rejuvenation with intense pulsed light and non‐ablative fractionated laser resurfacing in fitzpatrick skin type II–IV patients: A prospective multicenter analysis

BACKGROUND: While skin aging is triggered by multiple factors and typically presents with multiple manifestations, conventional treatment regimens deploy a single treatment modality. Typical approaches exploit ablative techniques, which involve considerable patient discomfort and downtime and can induce adverse events. Non‐ablative fractionated laser (NAFL) resurfacing promotes neocollagenesis, with significantly fewer complications and discomfort. At the same time, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapies have a marked impact on skin tone, with an effect on collagen deposition. This study evaluated the combined effect of same‐day, sequential IPL‐NAFL treatment on photoaging of the face. DESIGN: In this prospective study, 30 patients presenting Fitzpatrick skin types II–IV, elastosis scores 3–6 and mild to moderate pigmentation, underwent three sessions, of full‐face IPL therapy, followed immediately by NAFL treatment, conducted at 4–6 weeks intervals. Wrinkle/elastosis and skin qualities were scored at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last treatment session. Immediate responses were evaluated up to 30 min following treatment and adverse events were monitored throughout the study period. RESULTS: Wrinkle/elastosis scores gradually improved over the treatment period, with 59% of patients presenting a ≥1‐point improvement in FES scores by the 1‐month follow‐up session, which persisted also at the 6 months follow‐up visit. Good to excellent pigmentation responses were recorded for ≥63% and improvements in texture, brightness, and tightness were recorded for ≥80% of patients throughout the follow‐up period. Over 90% of the treated patients exhibited improved or much improved overall appearance. Patient scorings and satisfaction level reflected physician assessments. Treatments were well tolerated and the social downtime observed was of 1.5 ± 0.25 days. CONCLUSION: The same‐day combined IPL‐NAFL regimen proved safe and elicited a significant skin rejuvenating effect, in a similar manner to that shown in other same‐day combined therapies, without prolonging downtime of each individual modality. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:141–149, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.