Objective evaluation of the effect of intense pulsed light on rosacea and solar lentigines by spectrophotometric analysis of skin color.

BACKGROUND

To date, intense pulsed light (IPL) has been applied to various skin diseases, but there have been few objective evaluations of its efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to perform objective evaluations of the effect of the IPL system on rosacea and solar lentigines.

METHODS

Twelve patients with rosacea were treated with IPL at the wavelength of 550 to 670 nm, three times every 4 weeks, and the skin color was determined with L(*)a(*)b(*) color space using a spectrophotometer. In addition, 18 patients with solar lentigines were treated once, and the lightness L(*) was determined. RESULTS In all of 6 erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients and in 5 of 6 papulopustular rosacea patients, each of the L(*)a(*)b(*) values of the posttreated lesions approached those of normal skin areas (efficacy rate, 91.6%). The mean level of the L(*)a(*)b(*) values improved significantly after treatment and particularly in the erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients. In 12 of 18 patients with solar lentigines, the lightness L(*) was elevated after treatment (efficacy rate, 66.6%).

CONCLUSION

As demonstrated by spectrophotometric analysis of skin color, IPL at the wavelength of 550 to 670 nm is effective for rosacea and solar lentigines, particularly most useful for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.