LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin (BTX) combined with broadband light (BBL) in the treatment of rosacea related erythema and flushing. METHODS A randomized, single-blind, split-face controlled study including 22 patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea were enrolled. Both cheeks were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. They were treated 3 times with an interval of 1 month. In first treatment the experimental group received broadband light treatment and intradermal injection of botulinum toxin, and the control group received broadband light treatment and intradermal injection of the same amount of normal saline; in second and third treatments were both groups received the same broadband light treatment. The patients were evaluated before the first treatment and 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months after the treatment. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the hydration in the experimental group increased and the Global Flushing Symptom Score, VISIA red value, erythema index, Transepidermal water loss and sebum secretion decreased. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the experimental group, at 3 months after the first treatment, compared with before treatment, the Global Flushing Symptom Score, VISIA red value, erythema index, Transepidermal water loss and sebum secretion decreased the hydration increased. The sebum secretion returned to the pre-treatment level in 6 months after treatment, and the other indexes maintained the level in 3 months after treatment. One patient had a slight lifting limitation of the corners of his mouth after 10 days of botulinum toxin injection, without special treatment, and recovered after 1 month. CONCLUSION Botulinum toxin intradermal injection combined with broadband light has a definite therapeutic effect on the improvement of rosacea related erythema and flushing, which is better than simple broadband light, and has high safety. It is worthy of clinical promotion.