Ann Dermatol.  2009 Aug;21(3):268-273. 10.5021/ad.2009.21.3.268.

Novel Photopneumatic Therapy for the Treatment of Rosacea

• Kim JH
• Chang SH
• Cho MK
• Kim BS

• KMID: 2266288
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2009.21.3.268

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a common skin condition, but the currently available treatments are not satisfactory.
OBJECTIVE
We wanted to assess the efficacy and safety of photopneumatic therapy (PPx), which delivers pneumatic energy and broadband light (400~1,200 nm), for the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.
METHODS
Twenty two patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea were treated 3~5 times with PPx. Three independent dermatologists evaluated the efficacy of PPx by comparing the photographs taken before and after treatment. Patient self-assessment was also done by interviews.
RESULTS
The photographic assessment by the dermatologists of the improvement showed that >50% improvement occurred in 64% (14/22) of the patients. The specific categories of improvement were as follows: poor (<25% improvement), 1 patient; fair (25~50% improvement), 7 patients; good (50~75% improvement), 11 patients; and excellent (>75% improvement), 3 patients. Based on the patients' self-assessment, 20 patients (91%) acknowledged an improvement.
CONCLUSION
PPx is an effective and safe treatment option for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

Keyword

Photopneumatic therapy; Rosacea

MeSH Terms

Humans
Light
Rosacea
Self-Assessment
Skin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Percentage of the patients showing different degrees of improvement based on independent photographic evaluation.

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  Fig. 2 The clinical pictures of patient 2. (A) Before treatment, (B) 3 weeks after 2 sessions of treatment (right side only [the face was divided into 2 areas]) and (C) 3 months after 5 sessions of treatment to the entire face.

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  Fig. 3 The clinical pictures of patient 9. (A) Before treatment, (B) 3 weeks after 2 sessions of treatment (right side only [the face was divided into 2 areas]) and (C) 4 months after 5 sessions of treatment to the entire face.

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  Fig. 4 The clinical pictures of patient 15. (A) Before treatment, (B) 1 month after 1 session of treatment and (C) 1 month after 2 sessions of treatment to the perinasal area.

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  Fig. 5 Purpura developed on the forehead and the periocular area, and this resolved within 1 week.

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