Treatment of rosacea with intense pulsed light: significant improvement and long-lasting results.
BACKGROUND
Rosacea is a common skin condition but the treatments currently available are not satisfactory.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) for treatment of stage I rosacea (flushing, erythema and telangiectasia).


METHODS
Thirty-four patients were treated, 25 women and nine men, mean age 47 years. The treatment employed was IPL 515-1200 nm, with a 560 nm cut-off filter. The fluence range was 24-32 J cm(-2). Four treatments were administered on the face at 3-week intervals. Erythema values were measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment period on the cheeks and chin. Digital photographs were assessed by a consultant dermatologist on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients' assessments were also made using a 10-point VAS. Outcome measures were repeated 6 months after treatment.


RESULTS
After four treatments the mean reduction of the erythema values was 39% on the cheeks (P < 0.001) and 22% on the chin (P < 0.001). This was confirmed by photographic assessment where erythema improved by 46% and telangiectasia by 55% (P < 0.001). The severity of rosacea was reduced on average by 3.5 points on the 10-point VAS. Patients' and physicians' assessments of the overall improvement of rosacea were similar: more than 50% improvement was noticed in 73% and 83% of patients, respectively (P < 0.001). The results were sustained at 6 months. Side-effects were minimal and self-limiting.


CONCLUSIONS
IPL significantly reduces erythema and telangiectasia of rosacea and this is sustained for at least 6 months.
Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, London NW3 2QG, UK.
P
P
Papageorgiou
W
W
Clayton
S
S
Norwood
S
S
Chopra
M
M
Rustin
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002610:Cheek; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012393:Rosacea / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome