Comparative effectiveness of purpuragenic 595 nm pulsed dye laser versus sequential emission of 595 nm pulsed dye laser and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser: a double-blind randomized controlled study. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2019 Mar;28(1):1-5 Authors: Campos MA, Sousa AC, Varela P, Baptista A, Menezes N Abstract INTRODUCTION: Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is a common condition in Caucasians. The most frequently used lasers to treat this condition are pulsed dye laser (PDL) and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Nd:YAG). This study compares the treatment efficacy of purpuragenic PDL with that of sequential emission of 595 nm PDL and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG (multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG). METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, and controlled split-face study. Both cheeks were treated, with side randomization to receive treatment with PDL or multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG. Efficacy was evaluated by spectrophotometric measurement, visual photograph evaluation, the Dermatology Quality of Life Index questionnaire, and a post-treatment questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients completed the study. Treatment was associated with a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (p < 0.001). PDL and multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG modalities significantly reduced the erythema index (EI; p < 0.05). When comparing the degree of EI reduction, no differences were observed between the two treatment modalities. PDL was associated with a higher degree of pain and a higher percentage of purpura. Multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG modality was associated with fewer side effects and greater global satisfaction, and 96.3% of the patients would recommend this treatment to a friend. CONCLUSIONS: Both laser modalities are efficacious in the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. The multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG modality was preferred by the patients. PMID: 30901061 [PubMed - in process] {url} = URL to article

Logo of the Human Microbiome Project, a program of the NIH Common Fund, National Institutes of Health, image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons This subject of microbiome-based therapeutic strategies for rosacea is one of my favorite subjects which I have done a great deal of research on. You may want to read the latest article I have written on this subject of the human microbiome. 

Related Articles Skin diseases are more common than we think: screening results of an unreferred population at the Munich Oktoberfest. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Mar 19;: Authors: Tizek L, Schielein MC, Seifert F, Biedermann T, Böhner A, Zink A Abstract BACKGROUND: Skin diseases are ranked as the fourth most common cause of human illness, resulting in an enormous non-fatal burden. Despite this, many affected people do not consult a physician. Accordingly, the actual skin disease burden might be even higher since reported prevalence rates are typically based on secondary data that exclude individuals who do not seek medical care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of skin diseases in an unreferred population in a real-life setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 9 days duration was performed in 2016 at the 'Bavarian Central Agricultural Festival', which is part of the Munich Oktoberfest. As part of a public health check-up, screening examinations were performed randomly on participating visitors. All participants were 18 years or older and provided written informed consent. RESULTS: A total of 2701 individuals (53.5% women, 46.2% men; mean age 51.9 ± 15.3 years) participated in the study. At least one skin abnormality was observed in 1662 of the participants (64.5%). The most common diagnoses were actinic keratosis (26.6%), rosacea (25.5%) and eczema (11.7%). Skin diseases increased with age and were more frequent in men (72.3%) than in women (58.0%). Clinical examinations showed that nearly two-thirds of the affected participants were unaware of their abnormal skin findings. CONCLUSION: Skin diseases might be more common than previously estimated based on the secondary data of some sub-populations. Further information and awareness campaigns are needed to improve people's knowledge and reduce the global burden associated with skin diseases. PMID: 30891839 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] {url} = URL to article