The NRS has published on their blog some results from a recently concluded study. The study was titled Structural and biologic changes in the rosacea skin induced by pulse dye laser and intense pulsed light, and was part funded by the now defunct Rosacea Research Foundation.
The study participants were treated with IPL or PDL on one side of their face. I’m not sure that I would be keen to participate in such a study, so I feel grateful to them ! Hopefully they were offered full face treatments at the conclusion of the study, especially given that the study also confirmed that PDL/IPL was an effective treatment !
In the study, the researchers examined biopsies of 10 rosacea patients before and after five received PDL treatment and five IPL treatment for the presence of biochemical components previously associated with rosacea. Each patient received four monthly treatment sessions on one side of the face, with the untreated side serving as a clinical control.
Two of the interesting results from the study ;
Eight of the patients were also found to have elevated cathelicidins, natural antimicrobial agents linked in previous research to rosacea inflammation, and the level was reduced in three IPL- and two PDL-treated patients after treatment.
and
Before treatment the researchers found elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), associated with the development of visible blood vessels (telangiectasia), in five of the 10 rosacea patients. In four of these subjects — three in the PDL group and one in the IPL group — the level decreased after therapy.
We know that in 2007 the NRS awarded further grants to Dr. Richard Gallo, and Dr. Kenshi Yamasaki who will continue their research of how cathelicidins, one of the body’s own natural antibiotics, may play a role in the development of rosacea symptoms.
Further Reading ;
- NRS Blog: Beneath the Surface of Lasers
- NRS Blog: Is Rosacea Like an Allergy?
- VEGF and vasodilation
- retinaldehyde may reduce VEGF
- SPF-90 inhibits VEGF, IL-1a and MMP-1 induced by UVB radiation
- cathelicidins show allergic basis for rosacea ?
- Focus on cathelicidin and its role in rosacea
- IPL is excellent for rosacea
- pain, swelling and redness after pulse dye laser treatments
- pulse dye laser improves erythema
