Combination therapy in clinical and cosmetic dermatology: the marriage of device and drug.

The first generations of lasers used in clinical and cosmetic dermatology achieved their effects by means of epidermal and dermal ablation. While effective in removing some of the stigmata of photodamage including pigmentary changes and rhytides, vascular abnormalities associated with such conditions as melasma and rosacea, were not sufficiently effective. The new generation of laser and non-laser light devices (eg, intense pulsed light or IPL) offer excellent results in the management of clinical and cosmetic conditions, including significant changes in improvement in vascular conditions such as rosacea and actinic damage and stimulating dermal collagen production, without significant injury to the epidermis. The combination of light therapies and topical agents adds to the efficacy of these procedures, particularly in post-procedural maintenance. Light-based therapies have been an important addition to the anti-acne armamentarium as they are effective and do not add to the increasing bacterial resistance problem.