Abstract:

Objective To observe the efficacy of intense pulsed light （IPL） incorporated with optimal pulse technology （OPT） in the treatment of rosacea. Methods Thirty-two patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and 53 patients with papulopustular rosacea were treated with IPL-OPT for 4 sessions with an interval of 3 weeks. Patients were assessed clinically and photographically by physicians before each treatment. Skin melanin index, erythema index, sebum secretion level and water content in stratum corneum were tested at the baseline, 3 weeks after each treatment, and 6 months after the last treatment. Results Three weeks after the last treatment, the effective （more than 60％ improvement） rate was 81.18％ in total, 75％ in erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, and 84.91％ in papulopustular rosacea; there was no significant difference between erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and papulopustular rosacea （χ2 = 1.28, P > 0.05）. Six months after the last treatment, the total effective rate still remained at 78.82％ with no significant difference from that observed at 3 weeks after the treatment （χ2 = 1.62, P > 0.05）. The value of melanin index, erythema index and sebum secretion level decreased significantly after the final treatment, however, water content in stratum corneum remained at the same level as that before treatment. After 6-month follow-up, no significant change was noticed in the above 4 parameters compared with those obtained at 3 weeks after the treatment. Neither hyperpigmentation nor hypopigmentation was observed during the treatment and follow-up. Conclusion This study demonstrates that IPL-OPT is an effective treatment for rosacea with relatively few side effects.

Key words: Optimal pulse technology;Intense pulsed light;Rosacea