Getting Rid of Freckles Laser Treatment – IPL Face Device

Freckles are an autosomal dominant pigmentation disease that commonly occurs in young and middle-aged women. The skin lesions are yellow-brown or yellow-brown spots, which are round or oval in shape, generally 3 to 5 mm in diameter, with varying numbers and symmetrical distribution.

When we use intense pulsed light IPL to treat freckles, how do we determine the treatment parameters based on the color depth of the freckles? How to use IPL machine to remove facial freckles?

What are the clinical manifestations of freckles?

Freckles on the face are small yellow-brown or brown pigmented spots that are common on the face. They are autosomal dominant. Patients often have a family history. The gender distribution shows that there are more females than males. The skin lesions are most common on the face and other exposed parts, such as the bridge of the nose, the nose wings, the cheekbones, and in severe cases, the back of the hands, the neck, and the upper back. The edges are relatively clear, and the spots are isolated and unfused. The number and size vary, and there is a clear relationship with sun exposure.

The skin lesions are characterized by light yellow, light brown, or dark brown needle-sized spots to mung bean-sized spots, which are round or oval, of varying sizes and numbers, scattered or clustered, independent and unfused, without subjective symptoms, and not protruding. They often begin to appear at the age of 3-5, and are more common in women. They vary with the season, sun exposure, and pregnancy.

The histopathological characteristics of freckles are that the epidermal structure is normal, the number of melanocytes is not increased, but the melanocytes produce a large number of melanin granules and transport them to keratinocytes. Electron microscopy shows that compared with normal skin, the melanocytes in the lesions produce more melanosomes.

Theoretical basis for laser treatment of freckles.

Laser treatment of facial freckles is based on the photothermal effect to absorb melanin in the skin, burst it instantly in a short period of time, break up the melanin particles, and then excrete it through the body’s metabolism, achieving the effect of lightening or eliminating spots. Q-switched lasers have deep penetration, strong blasting power of pigment particles, and more thorough removal of pigments. They are suitable for areas that are not suitable for large spot treatment, including the eye area. Intense pulsed light has an ideal effect on improving uneven pigment changes in skin photoaging. It eliminates freckles on the patient’s face and has a certain degree of wrinkle removal and skin rejuvenation effects.

IPL intense pulsed light treatment of freckles uses the photothermal selective effect of IPL. The energy of intense pulsed light is selectively absorbed and heated by the melanin groups in the skin, destroying the “activity” of melanin and being metabolized. Therefore, IPL intense pulsed light generally has a better effect on freckles with larger areas, larger numbers, and darker colors, but has a poor effect on freckles with very light colors.

When using IPL laser to treat freckles, more radical parameters are required to quickly heat the melanosomes to denature the melanin (a protein). The denatured melanin will be discharged from the skin surface (forming micro-scabs) as the epidermis is renewed and metabolized, thereby achieving a therapeutic effect.

Advantages of IPL treatment for freckles:

1. Freckles often have more skin lesions, and laser blasting of spots is time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, the treatment spot of IPL laser is much larger than that of laser, covers a wide area, and has a fast treatment speed.
2. IPL is more effective for darker freckles, but less effective for lighter freckles.

In any case, IPL can be used as the first technology to try for the treatment of freckles, and it can be combined with short-pulse width picosecond laser and other treatments.

For example, use intense pulsed light treatment first, and then use picosecond removal.

If the freckles respond well to IPL treatment, you can continue to treat them multiple times (with an interval of 1 month) until they are no longer effective, and then consider whether to continue using picosecond laser treatment according to the situation.

For those whose freckles respond poorly to IPL treatment (the spots are too light), you can directly use picosecond laser treatment.

You can also use IPL facial treatment on the same day, and then do short-pulse width pigment laser immediately after the treatment.

Note: When using IPL to remove freckles, the color of the spots will deepen after the melanin absorbs light and denatures. At this time, the effect of pigment laser is better, but you need to pay attention to observe the end point reaction to avoid the risk of pigmentation caused by high energy.

Parameter settings for IPL treatment of freckles.

Wavelength selection.

When using IPL to treat freckles, it is necessary to select a treatment handle with different wavelengths based on the patient’s skin color. Taking a domestic IPL machine as an example, assuming that the IPL laser has two whitening and skin rejuvenation handles of 530nm and 560nm, and the patient has a relatively fair skin color, such as Fitzpatrick type II, the 530nm treatment handle can be selected; if the patient has a darker skin color (type III-IV), the 560m treatment handle should be selected.

Sub-pulse and pulse width settings.

The number of sub-pulses should be set according to the skin color of the patient. For lighter skin (Type II-Type II semi-skin), 1 sub-pulse with a pulse width of 5-7ms can be used. For darker skin (Type III-Type IV skin), 2 sub-pulses are used, with the first pulse width of 4-6ms and the second pulse width of 3-5ms, and the pulse interval time is between 15-30ms.

Energy density selection.

The energy density of the intense pulsed light is selected according to the color depth of the freckles. If the freckles are darker, a lower energy density is selected; conversely, if the freckles are lighter, a higher energy density is required to achieve the endpoint reaction. The specific energy density needs to be adjusted according to the patient’s skin reaction. The operator sets the sub-pulse, pulse width and starting energy density according to the patient’s skin color and the depth of the freckles, and tests the light spot. The endpoint reaction is when the skin in the treatment area turns red, the freckles darken in color, and slightly bulge.

Clinical experience with IPL treatment of freckles.

Freckle Treatment Case 1:

In clinical work, when using IPL to treat freckles, filters are generally selected according to the depth of the patient’s skin color, and the energy density and number of sub-pulses are selected according to the depth of the color of freckles in different locations.

Take AOPT M22 as an example: if the patient’s skin color is relatively light, such as Fitzpatrick II, a filter with a wavelength of 515nm or 560nm can be selected; if the skin color is darker (IV type), a filter with a wavelength between 590~615nm is used; if the skin color is darker (V-VI type), a filter with a wavelength of 640nm and above is selected.

Select the number of sub-pulses according to the depth of the freckles: if the freckles are lighter, a single pulse can be selected; if the color is darker, multiple pulses (2~3) are selected.

Select the energy density of the intense pulsed light according to the depth of the freckles: if the freckles are darker, a lower energy density is selected; if the freckles are lighter, a higher energy density can be selected.

Some clinical scholars have studied the treatment of facial freckles with intense pulsed photorejuvenation. The treatment parameters are set as double pulses, pulse widths of 2~3ms and 5~7ms, delay time of 10~30ms, and energy density of 22~32J/cm². The setting of clinical parameters is adjusted according to the patient’s skin color, sensitivity, and tolerance. For patients with fair skin, poor light absorption, and better tolerance, the pulse width is appropriately narrowed, the delay time is shortened, and the energy density is increased to obtain satisfactory clinical results. The specific parameters are shown in the table below.

Selection of clinical parameters for photorejuvenation treatment of freckles

Results: After one course of treatment, facial freckles basically disappeared, with an effective rate of 100% and satisfactory results.

Freckle Treatment Case 2:

IPL treatment to remove freckles requires comprehensive consideration of skin color, color of spots, erythema and dry skin to select filters and treatment parameters. The three filters of 515nm, 560nm and 590nm are mainly used.

For those with fair skin (type II or type III biased towards type II), 515nm and 560nm filters can be selected. First use the 560nm filter, large light guide crystal for full face operation, and then use 515nm, small light guide crystal for small area enhancement.

For those with darker skin (type III or type IV), 560nm and 590nm filters can be selected. First use the 590nm filter, large light guide crystal for full face operation, and then use 560nm, small light guide crystal for small area enhancement.

IPL treatment of freckles step 1:

Large light-guiding crystal full face operation: 560nm or 590nm filter.

2 pulses are recommended (560nm, for those with dark skin, 3 pulses can also be used). Pulse width 4-6ms, delay time 30-40ms. The starting energy is determined by the spot test. For those with fair skin, the starting energy can be higher, and for those with dark skin, the starting energy can be slightly lower. But it cannot be too low, for example, <15J is too low.

IPL treatment of freckles step 2:

Enhancement of small light guide crystal spots: 515nm or 560nm filter.

2 pulses are recommended. Pulse width 3-5ms, delay time 30-40ms. For those with light spots, higher energy can be used. For those with deep spots, moderate energy can be used. The specific energy needs to be determined based on the spot test.

The effect of IPL laser treatment on freckles removal.

A study selected 40 patients with freckles and used the LitonLaser IPL 560-C photorejuvenation device. The wavelength of the treatment device was 560-1200nm double pulse, pulse width was 3.5-5.0ms, pulse delay was 25ms, energy was 20-45J/cm2, spot size was 34mm×8mm, the treatment head was vertically attached to the skin of the treatment area, parallel light was used, and the treatment was closely arranged. The standard was that the patient’s skin would cause slight needle-like pain, slightly red skin, and darker color of the pigmented area during treatment.

The results of the study showed that after 5 treatments, the number, color and location of facial lesions were observed in all patients, and the photos before treatment were compared for evaluation and analysis. Among the 40 patients, 20 were cured after treatment, 20 were significantly effective, and the total effective rate was 100%. The skin spots in the facial treatment areas of all patients were significantly reduced or even disappeared compared with before treatment, and the skin was delicate, shiny and elastic. All patients did not experience adverse reactions such as facial pigment changes and scars.

Summary of IPL laser freckle removal.

1. IPL treatment of freckles and solar lentigos is to quickly heat melanosomes to denature melanin (a protein). The denatured melanin will be discharged from the skin surface (forming microscabs) as the epidermis is renewed and metabolized, thus achieving the therapeutic effect. Generally, more radical parameters are selected, such as 2 pulses and shorter wavelength filters.
2. After IPL laser treatment, the color of freckles will deepen (thin scabs will be produced), and the surrounding tissues will be slightly red. After the scabs fall off in about a week, the color will fade. Although good results can be achieved once after surgery, one treatment generally cannot completely remove freckles, and multiple treatments are required to achieve satisfactory results.
3. When using IPL intense pulsed light to treat facial freckles, after adjusting appropriate treatment parameters according to the patient’s facial condition, select the test spot, start from low energy and gradually increase the energy, so that the local skin of the treatment area is slightly red, and the color of the freckles is darker than before treatment, indicating that the energy is suitable for the patient and can be used for full facial treatment; if the local skin of the treatment is obviously red and the changes in freckles cannot be observed, the energy density should be appropriately reduced to prevent adverse reactions such as edema, blisters, and pigmentation.

FAQs for IPL Freckle Removal.

Q: How to treat freckles?
A: In addition to using creams to remove freckles, you can also use lasers to remove freckles. If the freckles are darker, you can use IPL face treatment. If the freckles are lighter, use Q-switched laser or pico laser treatment to remove them.

Q: How to remove freckles permanently?
A: Using IPL laser to remove freckles has a very good effect. Usually there will be a significant before and after comparison after one treatment. If permanent removal is required, multiple IPL treatments are required.

Q: What are the side effects of Freckles laser treatment?
A: When using IPL laser to treat freckles, the possible side effect is that the skin will turn darker. When the energy setting is not appropriate, the pigment of the freckles will become more active, resulting in darker skin. Or if you do not pay attention to sun protection after treatment, the skin spots will turn darker.

Q: What is the price of laser treatment for freckles?
A: The price of laser treatment for freckles is differentiated according to different regions and different treatment courses. Different types of freckles use different lasers and different treatment times. Therefore, if you need to know the specific price of laser treatment for freckles, you need to decide based on the local beauty market and the patient’s freckle situation.

How to buy IPL face treatment freckles machine?

If you are a beauty salon or clinic and need to add a photoelectric beauty project to remove freckles, then you need to prepare an IPL machine. IPL laser has a very good treatment effect on dark freckles. LitonLaser’s IPL machine began production in 2006 and has nearly 20 years of IPL laser production experience. The quality of the machine is very stable, and we have a clinical training center in China, which can provide laser treatment guidelines for freckle removal.

So, if you need to buy an IPL machine to remove freckles, you can choose LitonLaser. The best IPL face treatment machine and clinical treatment guide will help you successfully remove freckles.