The safety and efficacy of combining poly-L-lactic acid with intense pulsed light in facial rejuvenation: a retrospective study of 90 patients.

BACKGROUND

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is an effective treatment for panfacial volumization. Typically, patients who are candidates for volume restoration can benefit from lasers and light sources for photorejuvenation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining PLLA with intense pulsed light (IPL) in facial photorejuvenation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective, single-center study of 90 patients treated with IPL immediately before or as early as 6 days after PLLA injection from January 2003 and June 2011. Patients were contacted with regard to efficacy and adverse reactions after their treatment.

RESULTS

One hundred fifteen patients had IPL treatments to the face from immediately before to up to 700 days after PLLA injection to the face. Ninety patients responded; 19% experienced edema, 17% bruising, 10% erythema, 7% nodule formation after PLLA injections with 0 nodules occurring after IPL, and 12% mild discomfort during the IPL treatment. The majority of patients (86.7%) reported at least mild photorejuvenating effects from the combination of PLLA and IPL treatments, with 64.4% reporting good to excellent correction independent of number of treatments.

CONCLUSION

The combination of PLLA with IPL in photorejuvenation of the face is safe and effective.