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

INTRODUCTION: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.