Real-World Evaluation of Facial Vascular and Pigmented Lesions Treatment Using IPL.
Objectives: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of IPL using the Dye-VL applicator (Harmony XL Pro, Alma Lasers) for treating facial pigmented lesions, vascular lesions, and melasma in daily clinical practice.
Introduction: Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an established, non-ablative modality for the treatment of vascular and pigmented skin lesions. Its broad-spectrum emission enables the selective photothermolysis of melanin and hemoglobin, providing a versatile and well-tolerated alternative to traditional lasers. While controlled studies have demonstrated its efficacy, data from routine clinical settings remain limited.
Materials / method: This retrospective case series included 25 patients (24 women, 1 man; mean age 47.9 years) with Fitzpatrick skin types II–III who underwent treatment for facial pigmented lesions (n=16), vascular lesions (n=7), or melasma (n=2). Treatments were conducted using the Dye-VL applicator alone or in combination with a 1570 nm non-ablative fractional laser or a long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, depending on clinical indication. Lesion clearance was assessed 3 months post-treatment using standardized photographs evaluated by three independent blinded physicians using a 4-point scale.
Results: Patients received 1–5 treatment sessions at 2–5 week intervals. The mean clearance score was 3.2 ± 0.58, indicating >75% lesion improvement. Vascular lesions exhibited the highest individual clearance rates, with several patients achieving 76–100% improvement after a single session. No significant correlations were found between lesion clearance and age, skin type, or number of sessions. Transient edema was reported in 16% of cases; no cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or scarring occurred.
Conclusion: IPL using the Harmony XL Pro Dye-VL applicator, alone or in combination with other lasers, is a safe and effective treatment for facial pigmented and vascular lesions in routine practice. The consistently high clearance rates across lesion types and favorable safety profile underscore the versatility and clinical value of IPL as a first-line option in aesthetic dermatology.