Intense pulsed light works by means of a light beam with a wavelength of 400-650 nm, which kills the bacteria that cause acne. This treatment method is suitable for the treatment of severe acne, mostly on the face and back. Results are noticeable after the first treatment and the procedure must be repeated several times at intervals of 14 days.
Contraindications are epilepsy, acute heart disease, diabetes, oral herpes or shingles.
The skin must not be tanned and sunbeds or tanning lotions should not be used 4 to 6 weeks before treatment. Treatment is performed under local anaesthetic using an anaesthetic cream, but it can alse be carried out without anaesthetic. The procedure takes 20 to 45 minutes. The skin will become red and swollen, so cool compresses are appropriate and the reaction will disappear within 2 days. It is necessary to protect yourself from the sun for 6 weeks afterwards. Intense pulsed light can significantly improve acne, but may not always eliminate all symptoms.
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