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Beyond efficacy: pulse duration is crucial for adverse events in pulsed dye laser therapy for rosacea
Tingwei Liu1, Yurong Liu2, Xiaoqi Meng1
1Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Background:
Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is widely used for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR); however, the influence of pulse duration remains unclear.
Objective:
To compare the efficacy and tolerability of 6 and 10 ms PDL pulse durations for ETR.
Methods:
In this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study, 80 patients with ETR received single PDL treatment using either a 6 or 10 ms pulse duration (9-11 J/cm2, 7 mm spot size). Erythema was assessed by blinded dermatologists using the Clinical Erythema Assessment (CEA) and telangiectasia scores, and Rosacea Area and Severity Index (RASI). ImageJ analysis measured the Relative Intensity of Redness (RIR) and Percentage of Erythema Area (PEA). Adverse events were recorded on days 3 and 7, and patient global assessment (PGA) and symptom improvement were evaluated at week 4.
Results:
Both groups showed significant improvements in CEA, RASI, RIR, and PEA (p < 0.001), with no significant between group differences. However, edema (p < 0.05) and purpura (p < 0.001) were more frequent with the 6 ms setting. No significant differences were observed between the groups on the PGA, erythema improvement scale, or symptom improvement scale.
Conclusion:
Both pulse durations effectively reduced erythema, but 10 ms demonstrated more favorable tolerability.
