Treatment Of Rosacea With Intense Pulsed Light Photorejuvenation

Rosacea is a disease that affects millions of men and women. Signs and symptoms include facial erythema, flushing episodes and acneiform eruptions. Conventional treatment consists of topical and oral antibiotics, although many people have sub-optimal control of their flushing and erythema with medical therapy. Although the etiology of rosacea is unknown, the end result is a diffuse network of small telengiectasias. It would seem reasonable to use a laser targeting vascular lesions to treat rosacea. There are few reports of the use of lasers to treat rosacea. We investigated the use of intense pulsed light therapy for reduction of the symptoms and signs of rosacea. 30 consecutive patients (skin types I-III) underwent 1-5 treatments with intense pulsed light and were assessed for degree of reduction in erythema, severity of flushing episodes and severity of acne breakouts. The Vasculight Plus intense pulsed light source was utilized at the following parameters: a double pulse of 2.4 and 4.0 ms and a 20 ms delay time at a fluence of 32-38 J (570 filter) or 27-32J (560 filter). Results were determined by clinical evaluation by the treating physician and patient evaluation via questionnaire. 87% of patients rated their redness as better or much better and 79% thought their flushing improved. 64% said their breakouts improved. Complications were minimal and transitory. These results suggest intense pulsed light is an effective adjunctive treatment for the signs and symptoms of rosacea. Longer-term followup will be needed to determine the degree of maintenance therapy necessary to maintain a remission state in this chronic disease.