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Nd:YAG, pulsed dye lasers safely, effectively treated facial erythema
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A microsecond 1,064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and a nonpurpuragenic 595-nm pulsed dye laser were safe and effective for treating facial erythema, but effectiveness varied by treatment types, according to study results.
Researchers used a split-face, double blind randomized control trial for 14 patients (mean age, 42 years; 57% women) with facial erythema (Fitzpatrick skin types I to III). Microsecond 1,064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Nd:YAG) and nonpurpuragenic 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) were used for four bilateral cheek treatments at 1-month intervals. Spectrophotometer measurements, digital photographs, pain scores and patient preferences were recording methods.
Following PDL and Nd:YAG, spectrophotometer readings for facial redness were reduced by 8.9% and 2.5%, respectively. From baseline, PDL improvements in redness were 6.4% greater than those by Nd:YAG (95% CI, –11.6 to –1.2). Nd:YAG was associated with less pain (3.07), however, than PDL (3.87; P=.0028). Redness improvement was rated at 52% by patients for the PDL treatment and 34% for the Nd:YAG treatment (95% CI, –34.6 to –1.94). There were no reported serious adverse events.
“Both PDL and Nd:YAG lasers reduced facial redness without marked pain or discomfort, bruising or other adverse events,” the researchers concluded. “Under selected conditions, PDL is more effective for reducing facial redness than Nd:YAG. However, Nd:YAG is less painful and may have special use for darker-skinned patients.
“Future research may consider comparison of additional laser devices and settings.”
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