Low-Energy Delicate Pulsed Light Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin, characterized by heightened reactions to external stimuli and unpleasant sensations such as stinging, burning, and itching, can significantly impact quality of life.¹

A recent study explores the efficacy and safety of low-energy delicate pulsed light (DPL) photomodulation as a novel treatment option for sensitive skin, highlighting its potential to alleviate symptoms and improve patient outcomes.²

The study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, also revealed that low-energy DPL therapy benefits patients with sensitive skin associated with conditions such as rosacea, acne, and unspecified dermatitis, demonstrating its versatility as a treatment modality.

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Background and Methods

Sensitive skin affects approximately 40% of men and 60% of women, with symptoms often triggered by physical, chemical, and psychological factors, such as cosmetics and humid air. While it primarily manifests without an underlying condition, secondary sensitive skin frequently occurs alongside dermatological conditions like atopic dermatitis, rosacea, or acne.³

Despite these insights, standardized treatments remain difficult due to the condition's complex pathogenesis, according to study authors Fu et al.

The study retrospectively analyzed 181 patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III or IV treated for sensitive skin at a dermatology department from January 2019 to January 2022. Inclusion criteria required patients to have a confirmed sensitive skin diagnosis and no prior light or laser therapies, while exclusion criteria encompassed active skin diseases, photosensitivity, and pregnancy. Patients underwent up to 4 monthly DPL sessions, and sensitivity was assessed using the Sensitive Scale (SS-10) and Clinician Erythema Assessment (CEA) scores.

Findings

The cohort included 24 men and 157 women, with an average age of 31.4 years. Subgroups comprised 86 patients with sensitive skin alone, 32 with rosacea, 32 with acne, and 31 with unspecified dermatitis.

Across all groups, DPL therapy led to significant reductions in SS-10 scores. For instance, patients with sensitive skin alone exhibited an average score reduction from 18.15 to 5.66. Similar improvements were observed in patients with rosacea (31.16 to 14.59), acne (19.81 to 6.91), and dermatitis (26.65 to 9.03).

Erythema grading through CEA also demonstrated notable improvements. Blinded evaluations of clinical photographs showed reductions in redness severity, with an efficacy index greater than 30% achieved in 83 patients with sensitive skin alone, 25 with rosacea, 29 with acne, and 30 with dermatitis.

Adverse effects were minimal and transient, including mild redness and discomfort during treatment. There were no reports of severe complications such as blistering or scarring.

Conclusions

While the study offers promising results, its retrospective nature and single-center design may limit generalizability. Additionally, the study primarily focused on Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV, warranting further research on its applicability to other skin types.

To build upon these results, randomized controlled trials with larger, more diverse populations are essential, according to Fu et al. Long-term studies could further outline the durability of treatment effects and potential cumulative benefits of DPL therapy in managing sensitive skin.

References

1. Farage MA. The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:98. Published 2019 May 17. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00098
2. Fu Y, Quan Y, Zhao W, et al. Low-energy delicate pulsed light therapy for sensitive skin: a retrospective study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(1):e16781. doi:10.1111/jocd.16781
3. Chen X, Wen J, Wu W, Peng Q, Cui X, He L. A review of factors influencing sensitive skin: an emphasis on built environment characteristics. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1269314. Published 2023 Dec 4. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269314