Affecting up to 1 in 10 people worldwide, rosacea has a complex pathophysiology that remains inadequately understood, and research has hinted at multiple inflammatory and immune mediated processes underlying the condition.
With rosacea treatment requiring a personalized approach for each patient, researchers have compiled current treatments for the condition, offering a wide-ranging look at the options providers have for their patients.
Findings were published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Affecting up to 1 in 10 people worldwide, rosacea has a complex pathophysiology that remains inadequately understood, and research has hinted at multiple inflammatory and immune mediated processes underlying the condition.
“The opening of different domains in the molecular pathogenesis of rosacea has led to the emergence of newer interventions. The addition of new formulations like topical brimonidine and oxymetazoline, oral therapies in the form of modified-release doxycycline, ondansetron, etc. and new light/laser devices has increased our therapeutic armamentarium,” the study researchers wrote. They also noted that management of the condition hinges on patient education, creating and following a skin care routine, and treatment with topical and oral treatment, as well as lasers/light-based treatment.
With various approved topical treatments for rosacea, factors such as skin type, rosacea presentation, mechanism of action, previous treatment experience, and efficacy and safety of the drug drive treatment decisions.
Approved topical treatments include azelaic acid (15%) gel; metronidazole (0.75% gel, cream, and lotion, and 1% cream and gel); sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur (10%/5%) gel, cleanser, lotion, suspension, and cream; brimonidine tartrate (0.33%) gel; oxymetazoline hydrochloride (1%) cream; and ivermectin (1%) cream. In the second line, calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus, benzoyl peroxide, and topical antibiotics are used.
Oral options for rosacea fall into 4 classes of treatment:
Lasers and light therapy, including intense pulse light and pulsed dye laser, have been leveraged for patients with eythemato-telangiectatic rosacea, in particular.
“Light-based therapies are particularly effective in treating the varied vascular manifestations of the disease viz. flushing, erythema, and telangiectasia,” explained the researchers. “Both long-pulsed dye lasers and intense pulsed light devices are an effective modality for the treatment of the disease and are associated with significant patient satisfaction, especially as the vascular component may not improve with other therapies.”
Other laser and light therapies include potassium-titanyl phosphate laser, ablative lasers, and diode lasers.
Reference
Sharma A, Kroumpouzos G, Kassir M, et al. Rosacea management: a comprehensive review. J Cosmet Dermatol. Published online February 1, 2022. doi:10.1111/jocd.14816
Patients With Actinic Keratosis Prefer Simulated Daylight PDT Over More Painful Red Light PDT
April 22nd 2024A recent study found that patients with actinic keratosis experienced more pain during red light photodynamic therapy (PDT) than simulated daylight PDT, emphasizing the need to understand patient experiences for better treatment decisions.
Read More
Secukinumab Proves Successful in Treating Severe HS, Safety Persists at Week 52
April 11th 2024In a recent study, secukinumab therapy demonstrated adequate safety and efficacy profiles, offering potential benefits for patients with severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) who found adalimumab intolerable.
Read More
Delays in HS Diagnosis, Treatment Shed Light on Provider Education Gaps
April 5th 2024Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in Canada often wait long periods of time to receive an HS diagnosis and receive evidence-based therapy, highlighting the need for increased interdisciplinary education on HS management.
Read More
Dupilumab Considered Safe, Effective Treatment for Adolescent, Adult Patients With AD
March 20th 2024These posters both used the GLOBOSTAD study, which demonstrated through patient and physician assessments that dupilumab is a safe and effective treatment for adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).
Read More
AI Dermatology Mobile Apps Have Critical Efficacy, Safety Gaps, Review Says
March 17th 2024This scoping review discovered potential risks and critical gaps in the efficacy, safety, and transparency of current artificial intelligence (AI) dermatology mobile apps, emphasizing the need for regulatory intervention.
Read More