BACKGROUND: Telangiectases represent microvascular changes inherent in the systemic sclerosis (SSc) disease process. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an effective treatment for non-SSc-related cutaneous telangiectases. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to examine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of IPL treatment in an open study of patients with SSc. METHODS: Patients underwent three treatments of IPL at monthly intervals and attended follow-up examinations at 1, 6 and 12 months after final treatment. Photographs, laser Doppler imaging (LDI) and thermography were used to measure changes at each visit. RESULTS: Seventeen patients completed the study. Photographs were graded (compared with baseline) as: at 1-month follow-up, four 'no change', four 'improved' and eight 'much improved'; at 6-month follow-up, four 'no change', eight 'improved'; and four 'much improved'; and at 12-month follow-up (eight images were available), three 'no change', two 'improved' and three 'much improved'. Perfusion as measured by LDI (perfusion units) was significantly reduced, compared with baseline [median 2·66, interquartile range (1·78-3·93)], at 1 month [1·70 (1·07-2·55), P = 0·006] and 6 months [2·05 (1·42-2·36), P = 0·008] post-treatment, but not at 12 months [1·61 (1·14-3·22), P =0·088]. No differences were found in skin temperature between baseline and follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study (the first of IPL treatment for SSc-related telangiectases) most patients improved after IPL treatment. However, the degree of improvement was not maintained in all patients at 6-12 months, suggesting that further treatments may be necessary. Longer term studies of this novel treatment approach are now required.