Intense pulsed light in infantile hemangiomas.

For more than 70 years, the watchful-waiting management of infantile strawberry hemangiomas still prevails in a number of clinical settings. This concept appears now outdated since the introduction of well-suited beta-blockers, as well as noncoherent light and laser therapies. The aim of this work was to revisit the effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy on infantile hemangioma. Information was collected from the peer-reviewed literature and illustrated by personal cases. When applied early in the evolution of infantile hemangiomas, IPL treatment stops the growth phase and induces regression with minimal cosmetic adverse effects and psychological damage. Initiating an adequate treatment is important because damage due to hemangiomas can be diminished by a timely and adequate approach. Beta-blockers have revolutionized the therapeutic strategy of infantile hemangiomas. The flash light therapy (IPL) represents an alternative therapy for some patients.