Acne rosacea: effectiveness of 532 nm laser on the cosmetic appearance of the skin

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to perform a prospective blinded trial to compare the improvement of midface acne rosacea using 532 nm laser therapy with and without a retinaldehyde-based topical application.

Setting: A private clinic and surgicentre specializing in facial plastic surgery.

Design: A prospective randomized blinded clinical trial.

Methods: Fourteen patients with type 1 erythematotelangiectatic acne rosacea were enrolled in the study. The side of the face to be treated was chosen randomly. The opposite side of the face served as the control. Patients underwent six treatments with the 532 nm laser, with four sets of photodocumentation over a period of 3 months. Following each treatment, patients were asked to rate their degree of improvement based on a 5-point improvement scale. A final assessment was performed by five separate blinded evaluators.

Main outcome measures: Final photographic evaluation to assess (1) reduction in overall redness, (2) reduction in visible telangiectasia, (3) difference between left and right sides of the face, and (4) degree of overall skin texture improvement.

Results: Three men and eight women completed the study. Six right hemifaces and five left hemifaces were treated. One hundred percent of patients noted a mild to moderate improvement in all signs of type 1 acne rosacea, including overall redness of the face, telangiectasia, and skin texture. The blinded evaluators were able to note a difference between the treated and untreated sides 47% of the time.

Conclusion: The 532 nm laser combined with the topical retinaldehyde improved overall redness, telangiectasia, and skin texture in acne rosacea patients. The degree of improvement was greater when compared to using the laser alone as the sole treatment modality.