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

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundA new dual‐wavelength, high‐energy, solid‐state laser incorporating both 532 and 1064 nm wavelengths was developed with cryogen spray cooling and the unique ability to deliver three types of pulse structures including single pulses of a specific pulse‐duration or pulses composed of a train of subpulses in the millisecond or microsecond domain with an intervening delay over the selected pulse‐duration. We investigate the efficacy of this laser using all three pulse structures and the 532 nm wavelength for treating rosacea.MethodsTwenty‐one subjects were enrolled in this IRB‐approved study. A total of up to three treatments were administered at monthly intervals. Each treatment consisted of a first pass tracing linear vessels with a 40 ms pulse‐duration immediately followed by a second pass using a 5 ms pulse, using all three available pulse structures. Assessment of cross‐polarized digital images by blinded physician observers compared baseline and 3‐month follow‐up images.ResultsBlinded observers correctly identified the posttreatment images 89% of the time, in 17 of 19 subjects completing the study, with an average overall improvement rating of 39% after only three treatments. Side effects were limited to short‐term erythema and edema.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that this new, variable‐pulse‐structure, dual wavelength, solid state, KTP laser with dynamic cooling is a safe and effective for treating rosacea.