BACKGROUND: Facial erythema is a common symptom that responds to vascular laser treatment, but there are few comparative studies. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the effectiveness of microsecond 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with nonpurpuragenic 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for diffuse facial erythema. METHODS: This was a split-face, double-blind randomized controlled trial. Bilateral cheeks received 4 treatments each at one month intervals with PDL or Nd:YAG. Spectrophotometer measurements, digital photographs, pain scores, and patient preferences were recorded. RESULTS: Sixteen patients enrolled and 2 dropped out. Fourteen patients, all skin types I to III, 57% women, mean age 42 years, completed the study and were analyzed. Spectrophotometer readings changed after both PDL (8.9%) and Nd:YAG (2.5%), but varied by treatment type, with PDL reducing facial redness 6.4% more from baseline than Nd:YAG (P = .0199; 95% confidence interval -11.6 to -1.2). Pain varied (P = .0028), with Nd:YAG associated with less pain, at 3.07, than PDL at 3.87. Subjects rated redness as improved by 52% as a result of PDL, and 34% as a result of Nd:YAG (P = .031; 95% confidence interval -34.6 to -1.94). No serious adverse events were observed. LIMITATIONS: Lasers settings are not standardized across devices. CONCLUSION: Facial erythema is safely and effectively treated with PDL and Nd:YAG. Nonpupuragenic PDL may be more effective for lighter-skinned patients, but microsecond Nd:YAG may be less painful.
BACKGROUND: Facial erythema is a common symptom that responds to vascular laser treatment, but there are few comparative studies. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the effectiveness of microsecond 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with nonpurpuragenic 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for diffuse facial erythema. METHODS: This was a split-face, double-blind randomized controlled trial. Bilateral cheeks received 4 treatments each at one month intervals with PDL or Nd:YAG. Spectrophotometer measurements, digital photographs, pain scores, and patient preferences were recorded. RESULTS: Sixteen patients enrolled and 2 dropped out. Fourteen patients, all skin types I to III, 57% women, mean age 42 years, completed the study and were analyzed. Spectrophotometer readings changed after both PDL (8.9%) and Nd:YAG (2.5%), but varied by treatment type, with PDL reducing facial redness 6.4% more from baseline than Nd:YAG (P = .0199; 95% confidence interval -11.6 to -1.2). Pain varied (P = .0028), with Nd:YAG associated with less pain, at 3.07, than PDL at 3.87. Subjects rated redness as improved by 52% as a result of PDL, and 34% as a result of Nd:YAG (P = .031; 95% confidence interval -34.6 to -1.94). No serious adverse events were observed. LIMITATIONS: Lasers settings are not standardized across devices. CONCLUSION: Facial erythema is safely and effectively treated with PDL and Nd:YAG. Nonpupuragenic PDL may be more effective for lighter-skinned patients, but microsecond Nd:YAG may be less painful.
Authors: Esther J van Zuuren; Zbys Fedorowicz; Ben Carter; Mireille M D van der Linden; Lyn Charland Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2015-04-28
Authors: E J van Zuuren; Z Fedorowicz; J Tan; M M D van der Linden; B W M Arents; B Carter; L Charland Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2019-03-10 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: Carsten Sauer Mikkelsen; Helene Ringe Holmgren; Petra Kjellman; Michael Heidenheim; Ari Kappinnen; Peter Bjerring; Theis Huldt-Nystrøm Journal: Dermatol Reports Date: 2016-06-23