A new 532 nm, variable-pulse-structure, dual-wavelength, KTP laser incorporating cryogen spray cooling, effectively treats rosacea

Emerging Innovations in Acne Management: A Focus on Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic Devices

Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the sebaceous glands, with approximately 80% of individuals experiencing it at some point in their lives. Among adolescents, the incidence is reported to exceed 85%. The disease can significantly impact both physical and emotional aspects of a person's quality of life, leading to permanent scarring, poor self-image, depression, and anxiety. The standard first-line treatment for acne vulgaris includes conventional pharmacological approaches such as keratolytics, topical or oral antibiotics, retinoids, and hormonal agents. However, these treatments are not universally effective due to patient noncompliance, adverse drug effects, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance in Cutibacterium acnes, often resulting in high rates of recurrence. Consequently, non-pharmacological therapies have been developed as safe and effective alternatives or supplements to pharmacological treatment. These non-pharmacological approaches can serve as standalone treatment modalities, adjuncts to pharmacological therapy, or maintenance treatments. Current literature lacks comprehensive data on the classification of these non-pharmacological treatment options. This paper aims to provide a brief overview of recent research on the practical applications and potential mechanisms of non-pharmacological therapies for both acne and acne scars. Through elucidating the distinct mechanisms and therapeutic roles of these treatments, we aim to assist dermatologists and other healthcare providers in formulating more effective disease management strategies, thereby encouraging further research in this area.

Safety and Effectiveness of a New 532 nm, Long Pulse-Duration, Variable Pulse Structure Laser for Treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte

BACKGROUND

Poikiloderma of Civatte is a benign skin condition characterized by reticulate erythema and hyperpigmentation in sun-exposed areas, predominantly on the neck, cheeks, and chest. Chronic UV exposure leads to vascular proliferation and red cell extravasation resulting in hemosiderin and melanin deposition. While many light-based modalities have been utilized to treat the disorder, the significant vascularity makes it ideally suited for treatment with vascular lasers.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new, long-pulse-duration, Nd:YAG laser incorporating a KTP frequency-doubling crystal and cryogen spray cooling for the treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte.

METHODS

Twenty subjects with neck and/or chest redness were enrolled in this study and treated using the 532 nm wavelength to treat neck and chest redness. Four treatments were administered at monthly intervals and pre- and 2-month posttreatment images were obtained. Images were randomized and evaluated by three physician evaluators for degree of improvement.

RESULTS

Average improvement 2-months posttreatment were 74.1 ± 20.2% and 68.4 ± 20.5% for the neck and chest, respectively (p < 0.0001). Side effects were minimal and limited to posttreatment erythema, edema, and purpura.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that this new long pulse-duration, Nd:YAG laser incorporating a KTP frequency-doubling crystal using the 532 nm wavelength is safe and effective for the treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte.

Isosilybin A exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in rosacea by inhibiting MAPK pathway and M1 macrophage polarization

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which is prone to flares and requires continuous management and treatment. However, long-term use of drugs can lead to additional adverse drug reactions. Based on the comorbid relationship between rosacea and Parkinson's disease, bioinformatics and network pharmacology analysis were used to identify a safer drug for rosacea. It has been demonstrated that ISA has an ameliorative impact on the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The results demonstrated that ISA exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, including reducing erythema areas and inflammatory cell infiltration in rosacea-like mice models, and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors in cellular inflammation models. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of ISA was associated with inhibition of the Erk, p38 and NF-κB signaling pathways and inhibition of macrophage polarization to M1 type. In addition, molecular docking and drug affinity responsive target stability experiment results indicated that VEGFA and RELA were the direct targets of ISA in the treatment for rosacea. In conclusion, these results suggested that ISA may be a potential therapeutic agent for rosacea.

Efficacy and safety comparison between pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light configured with different wavelength bands in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea

Previous clinical studies have shown that pulsed dye laser (PDL) and intense pulsed light (IPL) are effective for treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea(ETR). This article aims to compare the efficacy and safety of PDL and IPL at three different wavelength bands (broad-band, single-narrow-band, and dual-narrow-band) in treating ETR. Sixty subjects with ETR were randomly categorized into four groups and received one of the following laser treatments: PDL (595 nm), IPL with Delicate Pulse Light (DPL, 500-600 nm), IPL with M22 590 (590-1200 nm), or IPL with M22 vascular filter (530-650 nm and 900-1200 nm). Four treatment sessions were administered at 4-week intervals, with one follow-up session 4 weeks after the final treatment. The efficacy of the four lasers was evaluated by comparing the clinical symptom score, total effective rate, VISIA red area absolute score, and RosaQoL score before and after treatment. The safety was evaluated by comparing adverse reactions such as pain, purpura, erythematous edema, and blister. All 60 subjects completed the study. Within-group effects showed that the clinical symptom score, VISIA red area absolute score, and RosaQoL score of all four groups were significantly reduced compared to before treatment (p < 0.001). Between-group effects showed no statistically significant difference among the four laser groups. Safety analysis showed that all four lasers were safe, but the incidence of blister was higher in the M22 vascular group. Nonpurpurogenic PDL, DPL, M22 590, and M22 vascular were equally effective in treating ETR and were well-tolerated. ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT05360251.

The Long-Pulse Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate Laser: Promising Treatment for Resistant Port-Wine Stains

Port-wine stains (PWSs), or port-wine birthmarks, are congenital vascular malformations that manifest as erythematous to pink patches at birth. At present, lasers are the preferred method for treating PWSs, with pulsed dye laser (PDL) being regarded as the gold standard because of its superior efficacy compared to alternative procedures. Despite the progress made in laser therapy, a subset of patients continue to experience PWSs that cannot be resolved effectively even with PDL. A new long-pulse potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser with a trail of sub-pulses (Derma V, Lutronic, Seoul, South Korea) is a promising treatment for PWSs resistant to PDL therapies. This is a case of a female patient with PDL-resistance PWSs that was treated successfully with a long-pulse KTP laser. Long-pulse KTP appears to be not just more effective in treating PDL-resistant PWSs but also less costly as less number of sessions are needed, with no significant side effects reported such as purpura.