IEC TR 62471-3:2015

IEC TR 62471-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2015-01
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems –
Part 3: Guidelines for the safe use of intense pulsed light source equipment
on humans
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IEC TR 62471-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2015-01
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems –

Part 3: Guidelines for the safe use of intense pulsed light source equipment

on humans
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.140 ISBN 978-2-8322-2207-2

– 2 – IEC TR 62471-3:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope and object . 7
1.1 Scope . 7
1.2 Object . 7
2 Normative references. 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Responsibility for safe working conditions . 8
5 Risks from exposure to IPL optical radiation . 9
5.1 Risks to the eye . 9
5.1.1 Inadvertent eye exposure . 9
5.1.2 Treatment adjacent to the eye . 9
5.2 Skin burns. 9
5.3 Scars . 9
5.4 Hyper/hypo-pigmentation . 10
5.5 Purpura . 10
5.6 Unrecognised malignancies or premalignant conditions on the treatment site . 10
5.7 Delicate anatomy or inappropriate treatment sites . 10
5.8 Drug-induced photosensitivity . 10
5.9 Contra-indicated CLIENT conditions . 10
6 Causes of risks . 11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 Operator errors . 11
6.2.1 SKIN TYPE . 11
6.2.2 Failure to recognize contra-indicated CLIENT conditions or
photosensitizing drug use . 11
6.2.3 Incorrect or non-use of protective eyewear . 11
6.2.4 Failure to perform patch tests adjacent to the area of treatment . 11
6.2.5 Failure to maintain optical components . 11
6.2.6 Failure to use the appropriate filter . 12
6.2.7 Inappropriate or inadequate skin cooling . 12
6.2.8 Inappropriate technique . 12
6.3 Poor CLIENT compliance . 12
6.4 IPL OUTPUT variability from older equipment . 12
6.4.1 Incorrect display of the settings . 12
6.4.2 Excessive power peaks . 12
6.4.3 Uneven energy distribution . 13
6.5 Risks from other potential hazards . 13
6.5.1 Airborne contaminants . 13
6.5.2 Electrical safety . 13
6.6 Cleansing and disinfecting . 13
7 Risk assessment . 13
8 Education and training . 14
Annex A (informative)  Biological effects, SKIN TYPES . 16
A.1 Optical radiation spectrum . 16

A.2 Fitzpatrick skin classification . 16
A.3 Structure of the eye . 16
A.4 Penetration of light in the eye . 17
A.5 Structure of the skin . 17
A.6 Biological effects . 19
A.6.1 General . 19
A.6.2 Ultraviolet radiation . 20
A.6.3 Visible radiation . 21
A.6.4 IR-A . 21
A.6.5 IR-B . 22
A.6.6 IR-C . 22
Annex B (informative) Personal eye protection . 23
Annex C (informative)  IPL technology, classification . 24
Annex D (informative) Warning sign . 25
Annex E (informative) . 26
E.1 Local rules . 26
E.2 Sample template . 26
Bibliography . 30

Figure A.1 – Structure of the eye . 17
Figure A.2 – Penetration of different wavelengths through the eye . 17
Figure A.3 – The structure of the skin . 18
Figure A.4 – Penetration of different wavelengths through the skin. 18
Figure A.5 – Absorption of skin main chromophores, log scale, arbitrary units . 19
Figure D.1 – Warning symbol for use with IPL equipment . 25

Table A.1 – Division of the optical radiation spectrum . 16
Table A.2 – Fitzpatrick Classification Skin Type Scale . 16
Table A.3 – Biological effects of optical radiation to the eye and skin . 19
Table C.1 – Classification of risk group (IEC 62471) . 24

– 4 – IEC TR 62471-3:2015 © IEC 2015
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF LAMPS AND LAMP SYSTEMS –

Part 3: Guidelines for the safe use of intense pulsed light
source equipment on humans
FOREWORD
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