Efficacy and Safety of Oxymetazoline 1% Cream for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Facial Rosacea

TL;DR

This study shows that oxymetazoline 1% cream is safe and effective for reducing redness and other symptoms in patients with mild to moderate facial rosacea.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the efficacy and safety of oxymetazoline 1% cream for treating facial rosacea.

Findings

CEA and PSA indexes decreased significantly after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.

Erythema index also showed significant reduction at both 2 and 4 weeks.

Capillaroscopic analysis showed reduced telangiectasia and reddish skin background.

Abstract

Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects the physical and mental health of the patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oxymetazoline 1% cream, a specific α1A‐adrenoceptor agonist, for the treatment of mild to moderate facial rosacea.

In phase II of the before–after study, 15 patients with mild to moderate rosacea were enrolled and treated with oxymetazoline 1% cream twice daily for 4 weeks. The clinician's erythema assessment (CEA) and patient's self‐assessment (PSA), as well as the skin biometric parameters (transepidermal water loss, sebum, stratum corneum hydration, temperature, erythema, melanin, and pH), dermal and epidermal thickness and echo‐density, and capillaroscopic pattern were assessed and compared before and after treatment. p‐Value < 0.05 was considered significant.

CEA and PSA indexes decreased significantly 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment (p‐value: 0.001). The erythema index also decreased significantly in both 2 weeks (p‐value: 0.001) and 4 weeks (p‐value: 0.001) after the treatment. The capillaroscopic pattern of lesions showed a decrease in telangiectasia and a reddish background of skin. No side effects of treatment were experienced by any of the patients.

Oxymetazoline 1% cream was safe and effective in treating mild to moderate facial rosacea. The reduction in the skin's vascularity was also objectively confirmed.

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