RHINOPHYMA — FROM THE GENETICS OF THE DISEASE TO A NEW THERAPEUTIC PROTOCOL

Abstract

Background. Rhinophyma is a chronic and progressive condition, considered a form of severe rosacea, which classically affects the tip of the nose. Some people have rhinophyma without having rosacea. The disease also carries a risk of 3-10% of malignant transformation. Different therapeutic methods have been described over time, with different grades of efficiency, and each of them with its associated risks. At present, the gold standard treatment for the "established" rhinophyma is the ablative laser Aim. To propose a new therapeutic protocol, combining ablative and non-ablative lasers, with an early approach, that results in a better cosmetic outcome and a longer free disease interval. Materials and Methods. The four stages of the new proposed protocol involve early treatment of rosacea with vascular lasers (PDL, NdYAG), then the use of an ablative laser (CO2) and further revision of the post-ablative result (CO2, ErYAG, PDL/NdYAG). Results. The results of the treatment are presented with "before" and "after" photos of the patients. Conclusions. The proposed approach, combining ablative and non-ablative lasers, leads to a better cosmetic result and a longer remission.