Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL), A New Hope For Rosacea Among Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Rosacea is a chronic disease associated with an inflammatory process about which very little information is known. It is often a relapsing disorder, and long-term treatment is generally required. This study is a prospective therapeutic study design.The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Intensive Pulsed Laser (IPL) as a treatment option among rosacea patients. Twenty eight patients (twenty two females and eight males) suffered from mild to severe rosacea presenting to private dermatological specialist clinic and the outpatient clinic of dermatology in Merjan medical teaching hospital, Hilla, Iraq were assessed about the efficacy of using IPL as a treatment option for their rosacea symptoms during a period from April 2013 to February 2014. IPL treatment sessions were performed twice monthly for three consecutive months. Patients were evaluated by digital photography, dermatologist clinical evaluation and clinician and patient assessment through 10 point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The clinical evaluation of IPL response following the three months period of the study showed that, nearly most of patients had good to excellent improvement of their rosacea symptoms. It appeared that IPL was an effective treatment option for rosacea representing a new category of therapeutic opportunity for the rosacea patient.