Objective and Quantitative Improvement of Rosacea-Associated Erythema After Intense Pulsed Light Treatment

Objective and Quantitative Improvement of Rosacea-Associated Erythema After Intense Pulsed Light Treatment
June 2003
To cite this article: Kenneth A. Mark MD, Rose Marie Sparacio MS, MBA, Audra Voigt BS, Kenneth Marenus PHD, Deborah S. Sarnoff MD (2003)
Objective and Quantitative Improvement of Rosacea-Associated Erythema After Intense Pulsed Light Treatment
Dermatologic Surgery 29 (6), 600Ò604.
doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29141.x
Blackwell Synergy

Kenneth A. Mark, MD, Rose Marie Sparacio, MS, MBA, Audra Voigt, BS, Kenneth Marenus, PHD, and Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD
Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Kenneth A. Mark, MD, 200 Pantigo Place, Suite D, East Hampton, NY 11937.
K. A. MARK, MD, R. M. SPARACIO, MS, MBA, A. VOIGT, BS, K. MARENUS, PhD, AND D. S. SARNOFF, MD HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.

Abstract
Background. Despite the widespread and quite successful use of various lasers and light sources to treat facial erythema, the literature contains little, if any, objective and quantitative improvement. In addition, very few studies specifically address rosacea-associated erythema.

Objective. To assess quantitatively the degree of improvement in patients with rosacea after intense pulsed light treatment. The three main parameters that were objectively measured were blood flow, telangiectasia, and erythema.

Methods. Four patients with rosacea-associated erythema and telangiectasia were treated five times at 3-week intervals with the Photoderm VL (Lumenis, Needham, MA). The 515-nm filter, a single pulse duration of 3 ms, and various fluences were used. Blood flow was measured by the scanning laser Doppler. Close-up photography ensured reproducibility and enabled quantification of telangiectasia and erythema by subsequent computer image analysis. Measurements were taken at baseline and at 1 month after the last treatment.

Results. The scanning laser Doppler demonstrated a 30% decrease in blood flow (P<0.05). A 29% decrease in actual area of the cheek occupied by telangiectasia was noted (P<0.05). A 21% decrease in the intensity of erythema was noted (P<0.05).

Conclusion. As demonstrated by truly objective and quantitative means, intense pulsed light is effective for reducing rosacea-associated blood flow, telangiectasia, and erythema.

This article is cited by:
SEIJI KAWANA, MD, PHD, HIROTAKE OCHIAI, MD, AND RIEKO TACHIHARA, MD, PHD. (2007) Objective Evaluation of the Effect of Intense Pulsed Light on Rosacea and Solar Lentigines by Spectrophotometric Analysis of Skin Color. Dermatologic Surgery 33:4, 449Ò454
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E. Victor Ross. (2005) Optical treatments for acne. Dermatologic Therapy 18:3, 253Ò266
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AK Gupta, MM Chaudhry. (2005) Rosacea and its management: an overview. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 19:3, 273Ò285
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Stephen C. Romagnolo, MD; Anthony V. Benedetto, DO. (2005) Rosacea in a New Light. SKINmed 4:1, 47Ò48
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Douglas E. Kligman, MD, PhD and Yaxian Zhen, MD, PhD. (2004) Intense Pulsed Light Treatment of Photoaged Facial Skin. Dermatologic Surgery 30:8, 1085Ò1090
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Aykut Misirlioglu, MD, Kaan Gideroglu, MD, Mithat Akan, MD, and Tayfun Akoz, MD. (2004) Using Silicone Gel Sheet for the Treatment of Facial Telangiectasias With Sclerotherapy. Dermatologic Surgery 30:3, 373Ò377

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