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Physical Modalities for the Treatment of Rosacea

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Rosacea

Part of the book series: Updates in Clinical Dermatology ((UCD))

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Abstract

Rosacea is characterized by a wide variety of vascular changes. Apart from telangiectasia and erythema, often so-called flushing occurs. These vascular abnormalities can be targeted with specific light and laser devices. In addition to KTP laser, dye laser (FDL), and Nd:YAG laser, also intense pulsed light devices (IPLs) are used. The described therapeutic effects include reduction in vascular abnormalities and even improvement in papulopustular changes. While the KTP laser shows very good results in telangiectasia, the dye laser and IPL devices are used preferably in erythema. The Nd:YAG laser is also a possibility for patients with telangiectasia and erythema. However, compared to other laser and light devices the Nd:YAG laser carries the highest risk of unpredictable scarring.

Phymatous changes are another clinical manifestation of rosacea, mostly affecting the nose (rhinophyma). Moderate and severe cases are commonly treated with ablation modalities. Traditional surgery is a treatment option, but is often associated with major intraoperative bleeding. Alternative methods include electrosurgery and dermabrasion, though both methods can cause scarring. Newer methods such as CO2 laser ablation, possibly in combination with the erbium:YAG laser, are safe alternatives with a lower risk of complications. In a very recent study the application of the 577-nm Pro Yellow laser has also shown good results.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital Charité, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Maja A. Hofmann

  2. Department of Dermatology, Allergy and Dermatosurgery, Helios-Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany

    Percy Lehmann

Authors
  1. Maja A. Hofmann
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  2. Percy Lehmann
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA, USA

    John Havens Cary

  2. Dermatology Clinic, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Hofmann, M.A., Lehmann, P. (2020). Physical Modalities for the Treatment of Rosacea. In: Cary, J.H., Maibach, H.I. (eds) Rosacea. Updates in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52097-7_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52097-7_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-52096-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-52097-7

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