A12. IPL therapy in the inflammatory stage of rosacea

Abstract

The inflammatory stage of Rosacea iscommonly treated with topical or oral antibiotics. However, if additional erythema and telangiectasias are present, antibiotics are not successful. IPL (intense pulsed light) is mostly involved when only initial or residual telangiectasias are present. Application of IPL simultaneously with topical or oral medicine could be an effective form of treatment in the inflammatory stage of rosacea. This study was performed in order to detect the effect of IPL application with simultaneous topical antibiotics in inflammatory rosacea and to assess the efficacy of IPL therapy in routine treatment of rosacea.Twenty patients aged between 34 and 70 with papulopustular rosacea (14 female and 7 male) were included in the study. Ten patients (group I) were treated for 21 weeks with topical metronidazole. The other ten patients (group II) received an additional 3 sessions with IPL 515–755 nm Photoderm VL technology over 4 weeks. Treatment affectivity was recorded by digital visualisation and patient satisfaction scale before each IPL session.In all patients, significant reductions in papulopustular elements were observed. Eight out of 10 patients (group I) still showed permanent erythema and telangiectasias despite topical treatment. In 3/10 patients a few telangiectasias remained following the treatment in contrast to 5/10 satisfied group I patients. The most effective treatment was the application of 570 nm and 590 nm wavelength at a fluence of 25–55 J/cm2.Application of IPL in inflammatory rosacea is equally as safe and effective in residual or initial lesions. Moreover, in combination with antibiotics, it promotes reduction of all symptoms, is less time‐consuming and is more successful for patients. The pathogenetic influence of IPL in rosacea seems not only to be limited to selective photothermolysis of dilated blood vessels, but may also have immunomodulatory effects on inflammatory processes and possibly on collagen remodelling. The combination of IPL and antibiotics from theoutset of rosacea therapy is considered to be highly effective.