Laser-Based Therapies in Rosacea: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Future Directions
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Lasers in the Treatment of Rosacea
3.1. PDL
3.2. KTP Laser
3.3. IPL Laser
3.4. Nd:YAG Laser
3.5. CO2 Laser
3.6. Er:YAG Laser
4. Practical Treatment Considerations
5. Combination Therapy
6. Ongoing Clinical Trials
7. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Laser Type | Wavelength(s) | Pulse Duration | Primary Chromophore | Penetration Depth | Common Clinical Indications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDL (Pulsed Dye Laser) | 585–595 nm | 0.45–40 ms | Oxyhemoglobin | Superficial–medium | Port-wine stains, rosacea, telangiectasia, spider nevi, inflammatory acne, pediatric vascular lesions |
| KTP (Potassium Titanyl Phosphate) | 532 nm (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG) | 1–20 ms | Oxyhemoglobin, Melanin | Superficial | Telangiectasia, rosacea, cherry angiomas, pigmented lesions, lentigines |
| IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) | 500–1200 nm broadband) | 2–30 ms (varies) | Oxyhemoglobin, Melanin, Water | Superficial–medium (adjustable) | Vascular and pigmented lesions, rosacea, photorejuvenation, hair removal, acne |
| Nd:YAG (Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet) | 1064 nm (long-pulsed), 532 nm (Q-switched) | ns (Q-switched), ms (long-pulsed) | Hemoglobin (1064 nm) Melanin (532 nm) | Deep (especially 1064 nm) | Leg veins, vascular lesions, tattoo removal, melasma, hair removal in darker skin types |
| Er:YAG (Erbium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet) | 2940 nm | 300 μs–1 ms (ablative fractional) | Water | Very superficial | Acne scars, photodamage, melasma, epidermal lesions, skin resurfacing |
| CO2 (Carbon Dioxide Laser) | 10,600 nm | 0.1–1 ms (ablative fractional) | Water | Superficial–medium | Scar revision, resurfacing, warts, photodamage, rhinophyma |
| Author (Year) | Study Population | Laser Settings and Sessions | Rosacea Subtypes | Time of Follow Up | Outcome | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark, Lanigan, Marks (2002) [29] | 12 patients | PDL 585 nm, 450 µs pulse duration, fluences 5.5–7.5 J/cm2, 5–7 mm spot; mean 3 sessions | Not specified | After end of treatment | 50% reduction in erythema, 55% in flushing, 75% in telangiectasia overall severity decreased | Bruising hyperpigmentation mild crusting, small atrophic scars |
| Kim et al. (2018) [30] | 30 patients | PDL 595 nm, 7 mm spot, 8–9 J/cm2, 6 ms pulse; 3 sessions at 4-week intervals; RF on other side | erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, papulopustular rosacea | 4 weeks after last treatment | Significant improvement in rosacea severity and erythema index; RF superior to PDL for PPR lesion count | Transient erythema and edema mild pain; no scarring or pigmentation |
| Bubul Baskan & Belli (2018) [31] | 14 patients | PDL 595 nm, spot size 7–10 mm, fluence 8–12 J/cm2, 10–20 ms pulse; 1–4 sessions mode 2 | erythematotelangiectatic rosacea papulopustular rosacea | Mean 21.64 months | Significant improvement in erythema telangiectasia, and quality of life; benefit maintained long-term | Transient erythema pain (VAS mode 1), purpura, edema crusting; no serious side effects |
| Tan et al. (2004) [32] | 40 patients | PDL 585 nm, 0.45 ms pulse width, fluences 5.4–7.5 J/cm2, spot sizes 3, 5, 7 mm; average 2.4 treatments | Not specified | Mean 23.3 months | Clinical improvement in erythema, telangiectasia, papules; high patient satisfaction | Purpura lasting 7–10 days; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 6 patients; one exacerbation requiring antibiotics |
| Author (Year) | Study Population | Laser Settings and Sessions | Rosacea Subtypes | Time of Follow Up | Outcome | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nguyen et al. (2024) [40] | 45 patients (30 KTP, 15 PDL), Fitzpatrick I–IV | KTP: 6–10 J/cm2, spot 8-12 mm, 10 ms, cryogen cooling; PDL: 5–8 J/cm2, spot 10 mm, 0.45–2 ms | Not specified | 6 weeks after last treatment | Significant decrease in erythema with both lasers; high improvement | KTP: mild-moderate redness, edema, purpura 20% (mean 1.3 days); PDL: swelling, purpura 100% (mean 6.9 days) crusting 35%, no serious AE |
| Becher et al. (2014) [41] | 647 patients, Fitzpatrick I–IV, | KTP 532 nm: spot 1–4 mm, fluence ~11 J/cm2, pulse ~10 ms, ~2.8 sessions | Telangiectasia, angioma, rosacea | 6 weeks after last treatment | 94% clinician, 91% patient marked improvement or clearance | 5.8% AE: mainly swelling crusts, blisters; 1 atrophic scar (many treatments) hypopigmentation (n = 2), purpura (n = 1) |
| Clark et al. (2004) [42] | 204 patients, Fitzpatrick I–III | KTP 532nm: spot 1–4mm, fluence 10–14 J/cm2, pulse 10–14 ms, ~4 sessions for telangiectasia | Telangiectasia spider angioma | up to 2 years | Spider angioma 98%, telangiectasia 90% marked improvement | Mainly transient erythema mild hyperpigmentation (n = 2) 1 atrophic scar, 1 purpura, 1 blister after steroids |
| Author (Year) | Study Population | Laser Settings and Sessions | Rosacea Subtypes | Time of Follow Up | Outcome | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luo et al. (2020) [50] | 227 patients (107 IPL, 120 control); Fitzpatrick III–IV | IPL: 540 nm wavelength, spot size 1.5 × 4 cm2, fluence 10–16 J/cm2, pulse width 12 ms, pulse interval 10–15 ms; 3 sessions at 4-week intervals | Late-stage rosacea with persistent telangiectasia after anti-mite therapy | 2 years | IPL: Effective treatment (≥90% clearance) in 66.36%; total efficacy 95.33%; improvement rate and recurrence rate significantly better than control | Mild burning (n = 11 cases) swelling (n = 8), hyperpigmentation (n = 3), facial blisters (n = 2); temporary redness/blisters subsided within 1 week, hyperpigmentation within 3 months |
| Neuhaus et al. (2009) [52] | 29 patients (20 F, 9 M), Fitzpatrick I–III | IPL: 560 nm filter, pulse train (2.4 + 6.0 ms, 15 ms delay), starting fluence 25 J/cm2, 3 sessions (1 per month), split-face, fluence increased per session if tolerated. | ET rosacea | 1 month after 3rd treatment (visit 4) | Significant reduction in erythema, telangiectasia, and symptoms; no significant difference between PDL and IPL; | 1 patient (IPL group) excessive swelling and reaction (did not attend follow-up). No other adverse events reported. |
| Arminda (2024) [51] | 100 patients (50 vascular, 50 pigmented), adults | Narrow-band AFT-IPL, wavelength 450–600 nm, spot 3 cm2, pulse 13 s, 1–4 sessions (every 3 weeks), 3-month follow-up | Vascular and pigmented lesions of face & body | 3 months after last session | Mean GAIS score for vascular: 8.02/10; pigmented: 8.14/10; satisfaction: 8/10. High, comparable efficacy | 2 mild, transient body burns (resolved in 8–10 weeks); no pain; no other relevant adverse events |
| Author (Year) | Study Population | Laser Settings And Sessions | Rosacea Subtypes | Time of Follow Up | Outcome | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ekin Mese Say et al. (2015) [58] | 66 patients (39 ETR, 27 PPR); Fitzpatrick II–III | Nd:YAG 1064 nm, spot size 2–3 mm, fluence 100–160 J/cm2, pulse duration 15–20 ms, average number of sessions: 3.95 (ETR 2–8; PPR 1–10), interval 3–4 weeks | ETR, PPR | 4 weeks after completing treatment | ETR: 79.49% global improvement; PPR: 62.96% improvement; in both groups, most patients reported significant, or excellent improvement. | 2 patients hypopigmentation atrophic scars; no other serious adverse events occurred |
| J.H. Lee et al. (2015) [59] | 30 patients with PPR; group A: 22 patients mild moderate PPR, laser only), group B: 8 patients (severe PPR, laser + doxycycline) Fitzpatrick IV–V | Nd:YAG (GentleMax Candela), 1064 nm, rejuvenation mode, spot size 10 mm, fluence 40–50 J/cm2, pulse duration 50 ms, 3 sessions every 4 weeks | PPR | 4 weeks after completing treatment | 77.3% (17 out of 22) in group A and 87.5% (7 out of 8) in group B | Temporary redness and mild pain during the procedure; no scars, discoloration, swelling, or purpura |
| Samar A.M. Salem et al. (2013) [60] | 15 women, Fitzpatrick III | Nd:YAG 1064 nm (Candela GentleYAG), fluence 22 J/cm2, spot size 18 mm, pulse 10 ms, 3 sessions every 4 weeks | ETR | 4 weeks after completing treatment | one patient (6.7%) had mild improvement, 3 patients (20.0%) had moderate improvement, and eleven patients (73.3%) | Transient erythema; no purpura, discoloration or scarring |
| M. Alam (2013) [61] | 14 patients Fitzpatrick I–III | Nd:YAG (1064 nm, Genesis module): 6 J/cm2; 8 mm spot; 0.3 ms pulse. 4 sessions, 3–4 week intervals | ETR | 4 weeks after completing treatment | mean 2.5% (not significant) subjectively 34% improvement | Nd:YAG associated with less pain, no bruising |
| Campos et al. (2019) [62] | 29 patients enrolled, 27 completed | Multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG (595 + 1064 nm): PDL 7.0 J/cm2 (10 ms), Nd:YAG 35 J/cm2 (15 ms, long delay), 7 mm spot, DCD level 3/5, 1 pass minimal overlap 3 sessions at 3–4 week intervals | ETR | 4 weeks after completing treatment | Multiplexed PDL/Nd:YAG: fewer side effects, higher satisfaction (96.3% would recommend) | 2 patients dropped out (purpura interfering with excessive pain) |
| Kwon et al. (2018) [63] | 20 patients Fitzpatrick III–IV | LPNY (1064 nm, AILEEN plus): 2 mm spot, 10–25 ms pulse, 150–250 J. 3 sessions at 4-week intervals | ETR, nasal telangiectasia | 4 weeks after completing treatment | Nd:YAG: better for thick dilated vessels High patient satisfaction | Nd:YAG erythema (n = 17), purpura (n = 3), pain (n = 11), blister (n = 1), linear furrow (n = 1) |
| Author (Year) | Study Population | Laser Settings and Sessions | Rosacea Subtypes | Time of Follow Up | Outcome | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madan et al. (2009) [70] | 124 patients mostly Caucasian | Sharplan 40C CO2 laser; continuous mode 10–20 W (1–3 mm beam) resurfacing mode Silk Touch 20–40 W (4–7 mm spot); mostly single session (115/124), some multiple up to 4) | Rhinophyma (end-stage rosacea) classified as minor, moderate, major | 3 months post-treatment questionnaire follow-up 2–12 years | Good–excellent in 118/124, poor in 6, high long-term satisfaction improved confidence and well-being | Pain from local anaesthesia scarring (n = 4), hypopigmentation (n = 4), open pores (n = 2), infection with scarring (n = 1), notching nasal ala (n = 2), hypertrophic scarring in 1 Asian patient |
| Noyman et al. (2025) [71] | 16 patients | Sharplan 40C CO2 laser, non-fractional continuous wave, 15–20 W, 1.2 mm focal spot, 300 mm handpiece; single-session under local anesthesia | Severe rhinophyma some with erythematotelangiectatic papulopustular rosacea (2 patients) | Follow-up at 1, 2, 4, 12 weeks main evaluation at 3 months long-term questionnaire | Good or excellent aesthetic outcome in 81%. 85% would recommend this treatment | Most none mild scarring (n = 1), temporary swelling (n = 1), pain mild moderate in most, no long-term PIH, hypertrophic or keloid scars |
| Dugourd et al. (2021) [72] | 25 patients Fitzpatrick II–III | CO2 laser (CO2RE, Syneron-Candela) continuous mode 9 W for debulking pulsed mode 2–3 mJ fractional mode (fusion 40%, 90/50 mJ) for mild cases and “risk areas | Rhinophyma graded by NRS: mild, moderate, severe | Photographic evaluation at 3 months patient questionnaires | Good–excellent improvement in 80% (20/25); moderate in 16% (4/25); poor in 4% (1/25). Patient satisfaction 88% (satisfied or very satisfied | Only 1 hypertrophic scar |
| Amiri et al. (2025) [73] | 15 patients, Fitzpatrick II–III | Lumenis Ultrapulse Active FX fractional CO2 laser: 125 mJ/cm2, 150–450 Hz, spot size 2–7, density 9; single session after medical downstaging local anesthesia (lidocaine + epinephrine) | Rhinophyma (severity scored with RHISI) | The changes in RHISI score were assessed at 23 and 17 months after | 71% rated cosmetic outcome as good excellent, 86% would recommend | no major scarring pigmentary changes, or severe complications reported |
| Author (Year) | Study Population | Laser Settings and Sessions | Rosacea Subtypes | Time of Follow Up | Outcome | Adverse Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orenstein et al. (2001) [78] | 6 patients | Er:YAG (Derma TM20), 5 mm beam, 1.2 J/pulse, single session | Rhinophyma | 1 month, 1–2 years | 4 excellent normal nasal contour, no scarring); 2 good (acceptable contour minimal scarring); re-epithelization 7–14 days, erythema resolved in 1 month | None reported |
| Fincher et al. (2004) [79] | 6 patients Fitzpatrick II–IV | Dual-mode Er:YAG laser (Contour Sciton Inc.); 3 mm spot, scanner handpiece; 100 µm ablation (25 J/cm2) + 50 coagulation, single session | Rhinophyma | 3–6 months | All patients achieved very good or excellent outcomes; re-epithelialization complete by 4 weeks; high satisfaction | None reported |
| Mathis et al. (2019) [80] | 11 patients Fitzpatrick I–II | Dual-mode Er:YAG Joule Sciton Inc.); 2940 nm; 4 mm spot; 100 µm ablation + 50 µm coagulation per pulse; 7 Hz, single session | Rhinophyma | 1 month | 10/11 patients had excellent results normal contour, no scarring); 1 patient very good (mild scarring after debulking) all reported satisfaction | None reported |
| Goon et al. (2004) [81] | 6 patients | Combined Er:YAG/CO2 laser; Er:YAG: 1.2 J/pulse, 5 mm spot; CO2: 10 W, single session | Rhinophyma | 1 year | Re-epithelialization within 1–2 weeks all patients achieved good contour color alar symmetry minimal scarring all satisfied with cosmetic results | None reported |
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Szwach, J.; Szwajkowski, M.; Makówka, J.; Pyrkosz, J.; Łyko, M.; Grzech-Leśniak, K.; Jankowska-Konsur, A. Laser-Based Therapies in Rosacea: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Future Directions. J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15, 1771. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051771
Szwach J, Szwajkowski M, Makówka J, Pyrkosz J, Łyko M, Grzech-Leśniak K, Jankowska-Konsur A. Laser-Based Therapies in Rosacea: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Future Directions. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 15(5):1771. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051771
Chicago/Turabian StyleSzwach, Jagoda, Maciej Szwajkowski, Julia Makówka, Jakub Pyrkosz, Magdalena Łyko, Kinga Grzech-Leśniak, and Alina Jankowska-Konsur. 2026. "Laser-Based Therapies in Rosacea: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Future Directions" Journal of Clinical Medicine 15, no. 5: 1771. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051771
APA StyleSzwach, J., Szwajkowski, M., Makówka, J., Pyrkosz, J., Łyko, M., Grzech-Leśniak, K., & Jankowska-Konsur, A. (2026). Laser-Based Therapies in Rosacea: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Future Directions. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(5), 1771. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051771

