What treatments are available for Rosacea?
Asked by: Anonymous
Answers (4)
Lasers offer good options for the treatment of Rosacea
Despite the various treatments available for the treatment and control of Rosacea, we utilize what has proven to be tried and true over the years. The pulsed dye lasers are quite effective at destroying the superficial blood vessels that lead to the facial redness. Class IV medical lasers are very effective in seeking out the target they are designed for.
In the case of vascular conditions such as Rosacea, the thermal energy is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood vessels. This then leads to coagulation and sealing of the vessel walls. The superficial vessels are not needed for circulation and will be absorbed by the body's lymphatic system over the next few weeks.
Our pulsed dye laser (V Star by Cynosure) offers aggressive vs. non-aggressive treatments depending on the patient's skin type, goals, and whether or not they are able and willing to have downtime. These treatments also lead to a nice improvement in the texture of the skin.
Treatment depends on the type of rosacea
Rosacea isn't a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. There are several types of rosacea and therefore different treatments.
The first line of treatment is usually a cream or lotion, and oral antibiotics may also be used. These treatments decrease the redness and bumps seen in rosacea, and slow down the progression of rosacea. However, once there are visible broken blood vessels, which happens to everyone over time but is significantly increased in people with rosacea, the only way to treat those is with a laser. The pulsed-dye-laser is the best type of laser to treat broken blood vessels on the face.
Rosacea is treatable!
At CoZmedic Surgery Associates, our approach is to try to treat skin conditions without prescriptions. We try to use technology and a combination of treatment types to solve skin problems. Rosacea in general needs to be calmed, the skin needs to be hydrated and the "redness" removed.
We like to combine both AFT and LED technologies when treating rosacea. We usually combine our Harmony Skin Rejuvenation treatment (reduce redness) with a Cold Light Treatment (hydrate and soothe).
Rosacea is something that we treat here at our clinic and I think what you need to know about rosacea is that this is kind of a multi-faceted condition. There are all different parts and pieces to rosacea and some people have all the parts and some people have one, two, or three pieces to it. You have to decide which parts of it do you have and how do you want to take your approach, because there’s certainly straight medical approaches and then there are cosmetic and medical approaches. Some people just want to take an alternative, more cosmetic approach, to it. When I say cosmetic I mean going toward the alternative of laser and aesthetic services.
Sometimes it’s best approached with very low strength antibiotics which we don’t do here. Sometimes there are topical medicines that are antibiotics and sulfa types of medications that work well and we don’t do that here.
Then there are topical medications that are prescription and nonprescription that are sold - we do sell them - that are anti-inflammatory. They really help with inflammation and calming the skin.
Aesthetic services that are hydrating and calming and soothing to the skin help with rosacea. You want to be gentle with rosacea and not flare it up any more than what it is already flaring.
Check out more Q+A about Rosacea
Will Microdermabrasion treatment be helpful for someone with Rosacea?
Answered by Virginia Stevens, MD, Seattle Doctor
Read all 6 answers
Is there a cure for rosacea?
Answered by Michael Law, MD, Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
Read all 6 answers
Fraxel laser - will Fraxel make Rosacea worse?
Answered by Ronald Shelton, MD, New York City Dermatologist
Read all 2 answers
Write a comment