BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous disease. Therapeutic modalities should be chosen based on the identified sub-types and clinical features in each patient. Vascular lasers, including intense pulsed light (IPL), are reportedly safe and effective in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR). OBJECTIVE: In this study, we assess the comparative efficacy of IPL related to several factors including clinical severity and the age of patients with ETR. METHODS: Patients with ETR were classified into two groups according to the National Rosacea Society Severity Guideline. Severity score and erythema index (EI) were measured using a clinical scorecard and mexameter. For additional evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, investigator and patient global assessments (IGA, PGA) were checked. Efficacy of IPL was analyzed according to severity score, EI, IGA, and PGA related to sex, age, lactic acid stinging test, and severity. RESULTS: Analyses of the efficacy of IPL according to severity score, EI, IGA, and PGA based on sex, age, lactic acid stinging test, and severity revealed significant differences with age and severity only. CONCLUSION: This study supports the efficacy of IPL treatment for patients with ETR. IPL may be more effective in patients with more severe ETR and in younger patients with ETR.
Age Factors ; Bites and Stings ; Erythema ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy ; Lactic Acid ; Research Personnel ; Rosacea*

BACKGROUND: Treatment of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) with intense pulsed light (IPL) has recently produced promising results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histological outcomes of small-to-medium sized CMN treated with IPL alone and in combination with erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 26 small-to-medium sized CMN treated as described above. The reduction in visible pigmentation, signs of recurrence and any adverse skin changes were evaluated by two independent clinicians. RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed treatment and were followed-up. Nine were not able to complete treatment due to work, change in residence, and treatment related stress. Ten patients received IPL alone (mean: 10.5 sessions) and 7 underwent treatment with IPL (mean: 7.7 sessions) and Er: YAG/IPL combination therapy (mean: 4.7 sessions). The initial treatment outcome was cleared in 5 patients and excellent in 12. Fourteen patients (82.4%) showed CMN recurrence one year after treatment completion. The histological results from a patient with an excellent clinical outcome showed remnant nevus cells nests in the deep dermis. CONCLUSION: IPL treatment alone and in combination with Er: YAG laser are not definitive treatments for CMN and should not be considered as first-line treatment.
Dermis ; Erbium* ; Humans ; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Pigmentation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Treatment of congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) with intense pulsed light (IPL) has recently produced promising results. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histological outcomes of small-to-medium sized CMN treated with IPL alone and in combination with erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er: YAG) laser. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 26 small-to-medium sized CMN treated as described above. The reduction in visible pigmentation, signs of recurrence and any adverse skin changes were evaluated by two independent clinicians. RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed treatment and were followed-up. Nine were not able to complete treatment due to work, change in residence, and treatment related stress. Ten patients received IPL alone (mean: 10.5 sessions) and 7 underwent treatment with IPL (mean: 7.7 sessions) and Er: YAG/IPL combination therapy (mean: 4.7 sessions). The initial treatment outcome was cleared in 5 patients and excellent in 12. Fourteen patients (82.4%) showed CMN recurrence one year after treatment completion. The histological results from a patient with an excellent clinical outcome showed remnant nevus cells nests in the deep dermis. CONCLUSION: IPL treatment alone and in combination with Er: YAG laser are not definitive treatments for CMN and should not be considered as first-line treatment.
Dermis ; Erbium* ; Humans ; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Nevus ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Pigmentation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Treatment Outcome

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic form of cutaneous lupus that can cause permanent scarring. Treatment of DLE includes protection from sunlight and artificial sources of ultraviolet light, as well as systemic and topical medications. The first-line standard therapies are antimalarials and topical steroids. Other systemic therapies include systemic steroid, azathioprine, dapsone, and immunosuppressive agents. Topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have also been evaluated. Recent studies reported that several treatments, including pulsed dye laser, CO₂ laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), and 1,064-nm long-pulse neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum (Nd:YAG) have been used for the cosmetic treatment of DLE. Here, we report a case of a DLE scar that was successfully treated with a combination therapy of IPL and Q-switched 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser.
Aluminum* ; Antimalarials ; Azathioprine ; Cicatrix* ; Dapsone ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Intense Pulsed Light Therapy ; Lasers, Dye ; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid* ; Steroids ; Sunlight ; Tacrolimus ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Yttrium*