Treating REM syndrome with the pulsed dye laser

Background and Objective: REM syndrome (reticular erythematous mucinosis) i s a benign but bothersome skin disease that common occurs in middle age and among women. Local and systemic treatment measures are often associated wi th a high rate of side effects and relapses are common. We evaluated the pu lsed dye laser as an alternative method because of its good efficacy in vas cular skin diseases. Study Design/Materials and Methods: We treated two female patients with REM syndrome using the pulsed dye laser. Results: In both patients the erythematous skin changes were almost complet ely removed after five and three laser sessions, respectively. Other than t ransient hypopigmentation, no side effects occurred. In one case there is s till no evidence of recurrence 6 years after a trial treatment was conducte d. In the same patient, clinical success was histologically confirmed. Conclusion: This is the first report on the successful treatment of REM syn drome of two female patients with the pulsed dye laser. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss , Inc.