The efficacy of pulsed dye laser treatment for inflammatory skin diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND

The position of the pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is still unclear. Evidence-based recommendations are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to systematically review all available literature concerning PDL treatment for inflammatory skin diseases and to propose a recommendation.

METHODS

We searched for publications dated between January 1992 and August 2011 in the database PubMed. All studies reporting on PDL treatment for an inflammatory skin disease were obtained and a level of evidence was determined.

RESULTS

Literature search revealed 52 articles that could be included in this study. The inflammatory skin diseases treated with PDL consisted of: psoriasis, acne vulgaris, lupus erythematodes, granuloma faciale, sarcoidosis, eczematous lesions, papulopustular rosacea, lichen sclerosis, granuloma annulare, Jessner lymphocytic infiltration of the skin, and reticular erythematous mucinosis. The efficacy of PDL laser treatment for these inflammatory skin diseases was described and evaluated.

LIMITATIONS: Most conclusions formulated are not based on randomized controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONS

PDL treatment can be recommended as an effective and safe treatment for localized plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris (recommendation grade B). For all other described inflammatory skin diseases, PDL seems to be promising, although the level of recommendation did not exceed level C.