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Learn why INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL) or PULSED LIGHT (PL) is an advance over LASER light for treating skin problems ADVANCED PULSED LIGHT™ (APL)™ is Dr. Harvey Jay's method for using PULSED LIGHT. |
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WHAT CAN PULSED LIGHT
TREAT?
Pulsed Light has been used to successfully treat:
Laser light starts with Pulsed Light but eliminates all but one wavelength (or color) of light. Laser can deliver only one color (or wavelength) of light at a time. Pulsed Light can deliver hundreds or thousands of colors of light at a time. Pulsed Light machines use "cut off" filters to selectively deliver the desired wavelengths. These wavelengths can be customized to reach the specific hair, blood vessels, or skin component being treated; and can be modified with each pulse. Pulsed Light begins with all wavelengths of light from 500 to 1200 nanometers (nm) - including green, yellow, red and infrared light. Various lower range cut off filters (ranging from 515 - 755) block light shorter than the wavelength of the cut off filter. For example: a 550 nm cut off filter blocks light from 500-550 nm, and only allows wavelengths from 551 to 1200 nm to reach the target. WHY IS THE ABILITY TO USE DIFFERENT WAVELENGTHS, PULSED DURATIONS, AND DELAYS BETTER? Since longer (higher numbered) wavelengths penetrate deeper into the target, longer wavelengths are used to treat deeper targets, and to avoid and protect superficial parts of the skin. Shorter wavelengths are used to treat more superficial targets and avoid damaging deeper skin parts. This capability allows the experienced Pulsed Light Physician to vary the light delivered in order to match the depth of the target and avoid the areas that are not to be treated. Pulsed Light can also be delivered in pulses or bursts of light varying from 1 to 5 pulses at a time. The "duration" of each pulse and the "delay" time between pulses can be modified with each treatment site. Longer durations are generally better for treating larger targets. Shorter pulse durations are generally better for treating smaller structures. Limited treatment setting in Laser or in "simpler" Pulsed Light machines offer the experienced physician operator fewer choices. Even though fewer choices may be "simpler" or "easier", the restriction in operator flexibility caused by less customizable settings can produce suboptimal results and more undesirable side effects. CAN PULSED LIGHT TREATMENT BE CUSTOMIZED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PATIENT? Yes. The experienced physician operator of a PULSED LIGHT device can customize settings to select the wavelengths, number of pulses, duration of pulses, delay between pulses, and power delivered to best match the relative depth, size, and absorption characteristics of the intended target, and avoid the settings that would cause damage to the areas that need to be preserved. This flexibility and variability allows the knowledgeable physician to maximize results and minimize side effects. The wider range of possible settings and spectrum of light delivered by Pulsed Light enable the operator a much broader range of possible settings than available in any single or even in many combinations of Laser. These capabilities, when expertly utilized, translate into better and safer treatments and more effective results. Examples of Pulsed Light machine flexibility include:
*Our patients report that advanced Pulsed Light is far less painful than Lasers, electrolysis, or waxing. WHICH PULSED LIGHT MACHINE DOES DR. JAY PREFER? Several new Pulsed Light machines have been manufactured in the past few months. However, in my analysis, the original Pulsed Light machines, produced by Lumenis (originally ESC, then ESC/Sharplan) - named PhotoDerm and EpiLight - together are the most powerful and have the widest range of settings. More recent Pulsed Light machines have been developed with more limited settings and less power to prevent less experienced, and usually non-physician operators from producing undesirable side effects. Quantum (Aculight) and Vasculight are Lumenis products that have more limited Pulsed Light capabilities than PhotoDerm and EpiLight. These limited settings, however, prevent the experienced physician operator from utilizing Pulsed Light's full therapeutic potential, and can actually produce more side effects (as a result of the diminished flexibility and range of these and other Pulsed Light products). |
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Where can I learn more about Dr. Jay, Pulsed Light and its uses, and see photographs of Dr. Jay's actual results?
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All medical questions require that you be seen in person by a board-certified dermatologist. We cannot respond to medical questions via email. Please phone 212-755-2237 to see Dr. Jay personally. Thank you. Harvey H. Jay, M.D.- 45 East 62nd. St., New York, NY 10065 Tel: 212-755-2237 - Fax: 212-755-3359 The information on this site is provided as our analysis and opinions as of April 2007. Aculight™, Quantum™, Vasculight™, EpiLight™, PhotoDerm™, Intense Pulsed Light™, and IPL™ are all trademarks of Lumenis. |