In a well performed split face clinical study, laser specialists found that laser treatment combined with topical retinaldehyde treatment (the only safe form of topical Vitamin A for rosacea) improved the clearance of facial redness, broken blood vessels and acne rosacea.

Avene: Diroseal Anti-Redness Skincare Lotion is an excellent product with retinaldehyde but best relief is attained when the active ingredient, retnaldehyde is increased by at least 300%.

The working theory is that topical retinaldehyde treatment post laser enhances the immune system's ability to break down treated blood vessels and engulf they into the skin cells and lympatic system.

The clearance was significant and indicated that proper treatment with topical high concentration retinaldehyde may result in enhanced treatment and may decrease the number of laser treatments required!!!

J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Jun;39(3):292-6.

Acne rosacea: effectiveness of 532 nm laser on the cosmetic appearance of the skin.

Maxwell EL, Ellis DA, Manis H.

Art of Facial Surgery, Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Toronto, ON. lindamaxwell22@hotmail.com


OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to perform a prospective blinded trial to compare the improvement of midface acne rosacea using 532 nm laser therapy with and without a retinaldehyde-based topical application.

SETTING: A private clinic and surgicentre specializing in facial plastic surgery.

DESIGN: A prospective randomized blinded clinical trial.

METHODS: Fourteen patients with type 1 erythematotelangiectatic acne rosacea were enrolled in the study. The side of the face to be treated was chosen randomly. The opposite side of the face served as the control. Patients underwent six treatments with the 532 nm laser, with four sets of photodocumentation over a period of 3 months. Following each treatment, patients were asked to rate their degree of improvement based on a 5-point improvement scale. A final assessment was performed by five separate blinded evaluators.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final photographic evaluation to assess (1) reduction in overall redness, (2) reduction in visible telangiectasia, (3) difference between left and right sides of the face, and (4) degree of overall skin texture improvement.

RESULTS: Three men and eight women completed the study. Six right hemifaces and five left hemifaces were treated. One hundred percent of patients noted a mild to moderate improvement in all signs of type 1 acne rosacea, including overall redness of the face, telangiectasia, and skin texture. The blinded evaluators were able to note a difference between the treated and untreated sides 47% of the time.

CONCLUSION: The 532 nm laser combined with the topical retinaldehyde improved overall redness, telangiectasia, and skin texture in acne rosacea patients. The degree of improvement was greater when compared to using the laser alone as the sole treatment modality.

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Best,
Geoffrey

Dr. Geoffrey Nase
Ph.D: Neuro-Vascular Physiologist

Email: drnase1000@hotmail.com
Bibliography: http://drnase.com

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