Paradoxical Effect After IPL Photoepilation

Abstract

background. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an effective and safe hair removal method. However, it is not exempt from side effects. objective. To evaluate clinical and hormonal characteristics of females with facial hirsutism that developed hair growth in untreated areas close to the area submitted to IPL photoepilation ("paradoxical effect"). methods. A total of 49 females with facial hirsutism were included in a protocol of photoepilation with an IPL source. Hyperandrogenism of tumoral origin was excluded in all subjects. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E 2 ), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17-OH-progesterone (OHP), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined prior to IPL treatment. Clinical and photographic evaluation was performed immediately before each treatment session and 2, 6, and 9 months after the last treatment session. Only cases with "paradoxical effect" were included in this study. results. A total of five patients with "paradoxical effect" were identified. The patients' ranged in age from 13 to 44 years and all of them had skin phototype III (Fitzpatrick scale). All these subjects were diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and presented ovarian hyperandrogenism. Patients underwent six to nine IPL sessions, and "paradoxical effect" appeared at different times during the protocol, between treatment session 3 and 6 months after the conclusion of treatment. conclusion. IPL may induce activation of dormant hair follicles in untreated areas close to hirsute-treated areas.

Hair induction after laser-assisted hair removal and its treatment

“…Several names have been proposed: terminal hair development, hair induction, terminalization, and paradoxical effect. [11][12][13][14][15] The aim of this study is to report the incidence of this strange side effect in a large number of patients treated for hair removal and to follow its course and treatment.…”

Paring and intense pulsed light versus paring alone for recalcitrant hand and foot warts: A randomized clinical trial with blinded outcome evaluation

“…IPL patients reported more pain and as this is a patient-reported outcome and patients were not blinded to intervention we cannot tell if this pain was real or perceived [19][20][21]. However, pain of mild to moderate intensities related to IPL is a known adverse effect [23][24][25]. The IPLsystem used in this trial did not use cooling of the epidermis, which is utilized in newer IPL-systems to minimize treatment-related pain [22][23][24][25].…”

“…However, pain of mild to moderate intensities related to IPL is a known adverse effect [23][24][25]. The IPLsystem used in this trial did not use cooling of the epidermis, which is utilized in newer IPL-systems to minimize treatment-related pain [22][23][24][25].…”

Indicaciones actuales y nuevas aplicaciones de los sistemas de luz pulsada intensa

“…La hipertricosis paradójica podría deberse a la activación de folículos inactivos en áreas cercanas a las zonas tratadas, por dosis subterapéuticas de energía que estimularían el metabolismo anabólico de dichos folículos 72 . Moreno-Arias et al llevaron a cabo un estudio en una serie de 49 pacientes con hirsutismo facial y observaron este efecto en el 10% de casos (todos ellos asociados a síndrome de ovario poliquístico) 72 .…”