Laser and other light sources have been used to treat vascular and pigmented skin lesions and to remove tattoos and unwanted hair, with varying degrees of success and various side effects. It has not yet been reported that hair growth can occur as a side effect of such treatments. In this paper two cases are presented, one port wine stain and one tattoo, that were each treated several times with an intense pulsed light source (IPLS) for removal. Terminal hair, not present before treatment, partially developed in treated areas of both lesions. Local inflammatory reactions are believed to trigger such outcomes.

Skin healing results in scar formation, which can be atrophic, proliferative, erythematous, or pigmented. Many different procedures are available for improving scars: surgical, topical medications, local irradiation, cryosurgery, and ablative or nonablative lasers. Intense pulsed light sources emit noncoherent, broadband wavelength, pulsed light that can treat vascular and pigmented lesions and therefore act on the vasculature and the pigmentation of a scar to improve its appearance and/or symptoms that may coexist. We present our experience with intense pulsed light in the treatment of scars over a 3-year period. Patient satisfaction is high in the majority of cases, and combination with other treatments has yielded the best results. Intense pulsed light treatments are applicable to and effective in almost all types of scars and can easily be combined with other treatment methods.

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There was no statistically significant difference between the LP-, SP-Alex and IPL photoepilation with regard to efficacy. Transient side effects were highest with the LP-Alex, and least with the IPL system. In the LP-Alex treated face and neck sites, 3.1% had hair induction in the borders of the treated areas.

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