Treatment of facial telangiectasia with narrow-band intense pulsed light in Chinese patients

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of narrow-band intense pulsed light (DPL) in treating facial telangiectasia. Method: Thirty patients with facial telangiectasia underwent five sessions of treatment with DPL (500 nm～600 nm) at 4-week interval. The erythema index (EI), temperature, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and lightness of the skin (L) were measured before each treatment session and at each follow-up. Result: Thirty cases completed treatment and follow-ups. Twenty-seven cases (90%) got more than 50% clearance post-treatment and among them eight cases (27%) got more than 75% clearance. The average of the mean EI value decreased with the number of treatment sessions; the EI observed after two treatment sessions was significantly different from that observed before treatment (P = 0.012, P < 0.05). The decrease in skin temperature and TEWL values post-treatment was statistically significant (P = 0.000, P = 0.027, P < 0.05), while the L value increased significantly (P = 0.025, P < 0.05). Thirty percent cases had reccurence at 6-month follow-up. While burning sensation, erythema, and swelling were usually seen during the treatment, no severe side effects were observed during treatment and follow-ups. Conclusion: Narrow-band intense pulsed light DPL is effective and safe in treating facial telangiectasia.