Abstract
Introduction:
Because intense pulsed light (IPL) and oral isotretinoin (ISOT) are capable of improving photoaging, we tried to demonstrate if IPL alone is as effective as a combination of both procedures.
Materials and Methods:
We carried out an open, randomized, comparative, and descriptive trial in 18 Hispanic women with cutaneous aging grades II and III (Glogau). Patients were divided into 2 groups. In the frst group, only IPL was used with an Alma Laser Harmony XL machine, and 5 sessions of IPL were performed, with an interval of 2 weeks between them. At the beginning, the fluence was 12 J/cm2 and the time 12 ms, then it was increased to 13 J/cm2 and 12 ms, respectively. The second group received the same number and type of sessions of IPL, but we added oral ISOT, 20 mg 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Two 3-mm punch biopsies were taken, always from the same site: the first one, immediately prior to the beginning, and the second one 3 weeks after the end of the study. Follow-up was made 6 months after finishing the study. Controls were performed supported upon the physician, 1 nurse (always the same), and the patient herself, microscopic (2 dermatopathologists), and statistical.
Conclusions:
At the end, the combination IPL/ISOT proved to be better than IPL alone, not only clinically, but microscopically and statistically. No side effects were observed.
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