FACIAL ERYTHEMA, a common symptom of acne and rosacea, remains a challenging condition to treat effectively. While oral and topical medications are standard options, physical therapies such as intense pulsed light (IPL) have gained popularity in recent years. Evidence suggests that combining therapies can yield better outcomes than single treatments, yet limited research exists on the combined use of IPL with tranexamic acid (TXA), an agent known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties.
A recent study evaluated the efficacy of IPL combined with 3% topical tranexamic acid in treating facial erythema associated with acne and rosacea. A total of 56 patients were randomly divided into two groups: one group received IPL alone, while the other received IPL in conjunction with 3% TXA applied externally. The study assessed treatment efficacy, erythema severity, and quality of life scores related to skin disease before and after the intervention.
Both groups experienced improvements in erythema and skin quality of life, but the combination therapy group showed a significantly higher overall effective rate compared to the group treated with IPL alone. Additionally, reductions in erythema index and skin disease quality of life scores were more pronounced in the combination group, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Importantly, no serious adverse reactions were observed in either group, indicating that the treatment was well tolerated.
The findings suggest that combining IPL with 3% tranexamic acid offers a more effective approach to reducing facial erythema in patients with acne and rosacea than IPL alone. This combination not only enhances clinical outcomes but also maintains a favourable safety profile, making it a promising option for dermatologists seeking to optimise treatment plans for facial redness. Further studies may help to confirm these results and explore long-term benefits and broader applications.
Reference
Liu X et al. Effect of intense pulsed light combined with 3% tranexamic acid for facial erythema associated with acne vulgaris and rosacea. Lasers Surg Med. 2025;57(6):490-5.
