Method of treating erythematous papules

Abstract

Methods for treating erythematous papules by irradiating skin with light having a wavelength between about 525 nanometers and 550 nanometers are provided.

1 . A method for treating erythematous papules in human skin, comprising: irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength between about 525 nanometers and 550 nanometers at a fluence level sufficient to promote a wound healing response in the skin but insufficient to cause a wound.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wavelength is about 532 nanometers.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluence is less than about 20 J/cm 2 .  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the light is delivered in the form of one or more pulses.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the one or more pulses each have a duration of about 10 milliseconds or less.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is delivered as CW radiation and is scanned over an area of skin being treated.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the light is coherent light delivered by a laser.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is incoherent light.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erythematous papules comprise acne.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the erythematous papules comprise rosacea.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is absorbed preferentially in a dermal region including a melanocyte layer of the epidermis and a region of superficial vasculature immediately below the melanocyte layer, thereby heating the dermal region to a temperature higher than normal body temperature but less than about 70° C., to promote a wound healing response.  
   
   
       12 . A method for treating acne in human skin, comprising: 
 irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength between about 525 nanometers and 550 nanometers such that a dermal region including a melanocyte layer of the epidermis and a region of superficial vasculature immediately below the melanocyte layer are heated to a temperature higher than normal body temperature but less than about 70° C., wherein heating stimulates production of dermal collagen in the dermal region, said dermal collagen production reduces incidence, severity or appearance of the acne.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wavelength is about 532 nanometers.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluence is less than about 20 J/cm 2 .  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the light is delivered in the form of one or more individual pulses.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more pulses each have a duration of about 10 milliseconds or less.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the light is delivered as CW radiation and is scanned over an area of skin being treated.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the light is coherent light delivered by a laser.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , the light is incoherent light.  
   
   
       20 . A method for treating rosacea in human skin, comprising: 
 irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength between about 525 nanometers and 550 nanometers such that a dermal region including a melanocyte layer of the epidermis and a region of superficial vasculature immediately below said melanocyte layer are heated to a temperature less than about 70° C., thereby stimulating the production of dermal collagen in said dermal region, said dermal collagen production reducing the incidence, severity or appearance of said rosacea.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the wavelength is about 532 nanometers.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the fluence is less than about 20 J/cm 2 .  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the light is delivered in the form of one or more individual pulses.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the one or more pulses each have a duration of about 10 milliseconds or less.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the light is delivered as CW radiation and is scanned over an area of skin being treated.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the light is coherent light delivered by a laser.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the light is in coherent light.  
   
   
       28 . A method for treating erythematous papules in human skin, comprising: 
 irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength selected so that it is preferentially absorbed in a dermal region including a melanocyte layer of the epidermis and a region of superficial vasculature below the melanocyte layer, the light being delivered at a fluence at which preferential absorption stimulates a wound healing response in the dermal region without causing a wound, said wound healing response promoting growth of dermal collagen in the dermal region, and reducing incidence, severity or appearance of the erythematous papules.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein preferential absorption heats the dermal region to a temperature higher than normal body temperature but less than about 70° C.  
   
   
       30 . A method for treating acne in human skin, comprising: 
 irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength selected so that it is preferentially absorbed in a dermal region including a melanocyte layer of the epidermis and a region of superficial vasculature below the melanocyte layer, the light being delivered at a fluence at which preferential absorption stimulates a wound healing response in the dermal region without causing a wound, said wound healing response promoting growth of dermal collagen in the dermal region, and reducing incidence, severity or appearance of the acne.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein preferential absorption heats the dermal region to a temperature higher than normal body temperature but less than about 70° C.  
   
   
       32 . A method for treating rosacea in human skin, comprising: 
 irradiating the skin with light having a wavelength selected so that it is preferentially absorbed in a dermal region including a melanocyte layer of the epidermis and a region of superficial vasculature immediately below the melanocyte layer, the light being delivered at a fluence at which preferential absorption stimulates a wound healing response in the dermal region without causing a wound, said wound healing response promoting growth of dermal collagen in the dermal region, reducing incidence, severity or appearance of the rosacea.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein preferential absorption heats the dermal region to a temperature higher than normal body temperature but less than about 70° C.