Laser for Rosacea – pro
Rosacea is a skin disorder that is characterized by persistent erythema, telangiectasias and acute episodes of edema, papules, and pustules, and easy flushing. Avoidance of excessive sunlight and extreme temperatures is typically recommended. Medical management is aimed only at the inflammatory papules and pustules and the erythema that surrounds them. Treatment is based on topical, or in severe and refractory cases, on orla antibiotics and Accutane.
Goldberg (2005) wrote that monochromatic laser)and polychromatic light-based therapies are increasingly being used for the treatment of certain signs of rosacea. He points out that few well-controlled studies have been conducted on their use for the treatment of rosacea. Furthermore, a Cochrane review on interventions for rosacea (van Zuuren, et al., 2005) concluded that the quality of studies evaluating rosacea treatments was generally poor.
Goldberg DJ. Lasers and light sources for rosacea. Cutis. 2005;75(3 Suppl):22-26; discussion 33-36.
van Zuuren EJ, Graber MA, Hollis S, Interventions for rosacea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(3):CD003262.
van Zuuren EJ, Gupta AK, Gover MD, et al. Systematic review of rosacea treatments. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(1):107-115.
Mostafa FF, El Harras MA, Gomaa SM, et al. Comparative study of some treatment modalities of rosacea. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23(1):22-28.
Neuhaus IM, Zane LT, Tope WD. Comparative efficacy of nonpurpuragenic pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Dermatol Surg. 2009;35(6):920-928.
Korting H, Schöllmann C. Current topical and systemic approaches to treatment of rosacea. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23(8):876-882.
Scheinfeld N, Berk T. A review of the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea. Postgrad Med. 2010;122(1):139-143.
Many insurers do not cover this treatment on the basis that it is cosmetic.