Energist UltraPlus VPL™ System
User Manual
SD1-43 Issue 3 (CCF 296)
50
This guide provides information on the various treatment processes, including
the range of system settings available to the Operator. From time-to-time
recommended system settings are updated as new information becomes
available from on-going Clinical Research.
7.2 Photo-Damaged Skin
Photo-damaged skin occurs as the result of excessive exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) light, which induces epidermal and dermal changes. Skin affected in this
way is characterised by thinning of the epidermis and dermis, coarse skin
texture, wrinkling, telangiectasias and changes in pigmentation.
The overall appearance of photo-damaged or sun exposed skin relates to the
resultant UV damage of structural components such as collagen and elastin
fibres. Appearance, however, is also affected by genetic factors, intrinsic
factors, disease process such as rosacea, and the overall loss of cutaneous
elasticity associated with age. More people now have extended periods of sun
exposure and, coupled with the thinning of the ozone layer and other factors,
this has resulted in visible signs of ageing, damage and disease evident in
ever-younger people. People in their twenties and thirties are now witnessing
solar elastosis, telangiectasias, solar lentigines and rhytide formation.
Treatment for photo-damaged skin involves more than simply addressing
wrinkles, which will produce limited results in one aspect only. Rather, treating
each of the different components of photo-damaged skin will result in a more
dramatic visible improvement.
7.3 Acne Vulgaris
Early inflammatory acne lesions are characterised by the pilosebaceous duct
becoming infiltrated by Propionibacterium, a common cutaneous commensal.
The improvement of acne lesions in individuals after exposure to sunlight is
explained by the photosensitivity of the P. acnes bacterium which is a
porphyrin-containing organism that is killed by exposure to specific
wavelengths of light following the release of singlet oxygen species.
With the highest sensitivity at 320nm (Near UV) with a secondary maximum at
415nm (blue). This corresponds to the absorption maximum of the porphyrins
produced by P.acnes., which are likely to acts as chromophores. Therefore,
irradiation of P.acnes with light in the blue region could result in photodynamic
stimulation of porphyrins stored in the bacteria, singlet oxygen production and
bacteria killing. Clinical research has established the photosensitivity of
protoporphyrin. The absorption characteristics for protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)
include significant absorption peaks at 508nm, 534nm, 578nm and 630nm. As
blue light has been calculated to penetrate to less than 0.25mm in depth, thus
is unlikely to activate the porphyrins in the acne lesion. Consequently, longer
wavelengths with a deeper penetration will be beneficial in the treatment of
acne by exciting the porphyrins situated deeper within the acne lesion.
Therefore, the more deeply penetrating longer wavelengths of broadband light
will achieve greater penetration depth thus reaching acne bacteria in the
pilosebaceous duct.
