A randomized, controlled, split-face study of botulinum toxin and broadband light for the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea

To study the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin (BTX) combined with broadband light (BBL) in the treatment of rosacea-related erythema and flushing. A randomized, single-blind, split-face controlled study including 22 patients with erythemato telangiectatic rosacea were enrolled. Both cheeks were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. They were treated three times with an interval of 1 month. In the first treatment, the experimental group received BBL treatment and intradermal injection of BTX, and the control group received BBL treatment and intradermal injection of the same amount of normal saline; in the second and third treatments were both groups received the same BBL treatment. The patients were evaluated before the first treatment and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the treatment. Compared with the control group, the hydration in the experimental group increased and the global flushing symptom score (GFSS), 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 GFSS, VISIA red value, erythema index, transepidermal water loss and sebum secretion decreased the hydration increased. The sebum secretion returned to the pretreatment 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 BTX injection, without special treatment, and recovered after 1 month. BTX intradermal injection combined with BBL has a definite therapeutic effect on the improvement of rosacea related erythema and flushing, which is better than simple BBL, and has high safety. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of combining botulinum toxin with broadband light treatment for rosacea-related erythema and flushing. Compared to standalone broadband light treatment, the combination therapy significantly increases skin hydration and reduces erythema and flushing-related indicators for a longer duration. The only adverse reaction observed was a slight limitation in mouth corner elevation, which resolved on its own.