Long duration single pulse intense pulsed light application in erythematotelangiectatic rosacea: An instrumental retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is a challenging condition due to poor therapeutic options. Treatment with intense pulsedlight is partially effective after numerous sessions. Regarding the ‘thermal relaxation time’ principle and characteristic histopathologyof erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, dilated capillaries and venules throughout the dermis, we proposed that directly targeting thelargest vessels available by applying a long duration single pulse intense pulsed light mode, should decrease the mean number oftreatment sessions to obtain a significant outcome.Material and Methods: Eighty seven erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients who completed the proposed one month apart,four times consequtive intense pulsed light treatments with 25 ms pulse duration, single pulse and 10 J/cm2 fluence in the yearsof 2017-2019 were recruited retrospectively. Instrumental evaluations and self-assessment scorings were performed during thetreatment period.Results: No adverse effect was recorded. Instrumentally evaluated results revealed a significant erythema quenching effect obtainedat the end of 2nd treatment session (p=0.0011). Considering the decrease in erythema, both the instrumental and self-assessmentvalues were found extremely significant after the 4th session, compared to initial values (p