Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Apr;29(2):167-172.
doi: 10.5021/ad.2017.29.2.167. Epub 2017 Mar 24.

Rosacea Subtypes Visually and Optically Distinct When Viewed with Parallel-Polarized Imaging Technique

In Hyuk Kwon  1 , Jae Eun Choi  1 , Soo Hong Seo  1 , Young Chul Kye  1 , Hyo Hyun Ahn  1
Affiliations

Rosacea Subtypes Visually and Optically Distinct When Viewed with Parallel-Polarized Imaging Technique

In Hyuk Kwon et al. Ann Dermatol. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Parallel-polarized light (PPL) photography evaluates skin characteristics by analyzing light reflections from the skin surface.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the significance of quantitative analysis of PPL images in rosacea patients, and to provide a new objective evaluation method for use in clinical research and practice.

Methods: A total of 49 rosacea patients were enrolled. PPL images using green and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) were taken of the lesion and an adjacent normal area. The values from the PPL images were converted to CIELAB coordinates: L* corresponding to the brightness, a* to the red and green intensities, and b* to the yellow and blue intensities.

Results: A standard grading system showed negative correlations with L* (r=-0.67862, p=0.0108) and b* (r=-0.67862, p=0.0108), and a positive correlation with a* (r=0.64194, p=0.0180) with the green LEDs for papulopustular rosacea (PPR) types. The xerosis severity scale showed a positive correlation with L* (r=0.36709, p=0.0276) and a negative correlation with b* (r=-0.33068, p=0.0489) with the white LEDs for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) types. In the ETR types, there was brighter lesional and normal skin with white LEDs and a higher score on the xerosis severity scale than the PPR types.

Conclusion: This technique using PPL images is applicable to the quantitative and objective assessment of rosacea in clinical settings. In addition, the two main subtypes of ETR and PPR are distinct entities visually and optically.

Keywords: Optics and photonics; Rosacea.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the equipment. LED: light emitting diode, PL: polarized light.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Kim DH, Choi JE, Ryu HJ, Seo SH, Kye YC, Ahn HH. Analytic parallel-polarized light imaging technique using various light-emitting diodes: a comparison with skin conductance values. Skin Res Technol. 2015;21:158–163. - PubMed
    1. Kye H, Choi JE, Seo SH, Kye YC, Ahn HH. Application of analytic technique using green light parallel-polarized light images in various skin diseases. Ann Dermatol. 2016;28:242–245. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Latreille J, Gardinier S, Ambroisine L, Mauger E, Tenenhaus M, Guéhenneux S, et al. Influence of skin colour on the detection of cutaneous erythema and tanning phenomena using reflectance spectrophotometry. Skin Res Technol. 2007;13:236–241. - PubMed
    1. Rogers RS, 3rd, Callen J, Wehr R, Krochmal L. Comparative efficacy of 12% ammonium lactate lotion and 5% lactic acid lotion in the treatment of moderate to severe xerosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989;21:714–716. - PubMed
    1. Wilkin J, Dahl M, Detmar M, Drake L, Liang MH, Odom R, et al. Standard grading system for rosacea: report of the national rosacea society expert committee on the classification and staging of rosacea. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50:907–912. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources