Prospective Comparison of Dual Wavelength Long-Pulsed 755-nm Alexandrite/1,064-nm Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser versus 585-nm Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment for Rosacea.

BACKGROUND

Rosacea treatments including oral/topical medications and laser therapy are numerous but unsatisfactory.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of the dual wavelength long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite/1,064-nm neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (LPAN) with that of 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for rosacea.

METHODS

This was a randomized, single-blinded, comparative study. Full face received four consecutive monthly treatments with LPAN or PDL, followed-up for 6 months after the last treatment. Erythema index was measured by spectrophotometer, and digital photographs were evaluated by consultant dermatologists for physician's global assessment. Subjective satisfaction surveys and adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTS

Forty-nine subjects with rosacea enrolled and 12 dropped out. There were no significant differences between LPAN and PDL in the mean reduction of the erythema index (=0.812; 3.6% vs. 2.8%), improvement of physician's global assessment (=1.000; 88.9% vs. 89.5%), and subject-rated treatment satisfaction (=0.842; 77.8% vs. 84.2%). PDL showed more adverse effects including vesicles than LPAN (=0.046; 26.3% vs. 0.0%). No other serious or permanent adverse events were observed in both treatments.

CONCLUSION

Both LPAN and PDL may be effective and safe treatments for rosacea.