An evaluation of whitening effect of an intense pulsed light source using computer analysis of the video-captured digital image

Recently, we reported an evaluation method with computer analysis of the video-captured digital image for whitening effects of cosmetics. In this study we have developed a new evaluation method of change of skin color using Robo Skin Analyzer that analyzes digital-camera-captured image. We have also investigated whitening effects of an intense pulsed light (IPL), NatuLight™ (LUMENIS, Tokyo), on skin color of the face in 27 Japanese female patients. Measurement was performed after three to five treatments. Whitening effects were evaluated in pigmentary and normal areas. IPL showed improvement in Value data (lightness) of the pigmentary and normal areas. In 16 (59%) of 27 patients IPL had whitening effects on the pigmentary lesions. In 18 (66%) of 27 patients IPL also demonstrated whitening effects on normal skin. Fourteen patients (52%) showed whitening effects both on pigmentary and normal areas. These results indicated that IPL therapy may have a whitening effect both on pigmentary and normal areas of the face. This novel method may be useful to evaluate the whitening effect of phototherapy and color change of cutaneous disorders.