If you have Rosacea, can I have Laser Resurfacing ? (photos)

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

you can get laser resurfacing but it may flare the rosacea.  Treat with vascular laser at the same time and be on oral antibiotics. Radiofrequency may be better which treats both conditions, but needs multiple treatments.  Best, Dr. Emer.

You can have resurfacing with rosacea.  Your rosacea does not look bad.  Resurfacing will help with your skin texture.  It may aggravate the redness however.  If you appear more red later you can do Intense pulsed light treatments to help with that.  

Yes, you can have laser resurfacing with rosacea. I would personally recommend treating the vascularity of your rosacea with broad band light (BBL) prior to undergoing an ablative resurfacing procedure. The BBL can help get rid of the abnormal reds and browns in the skin. The resurfacing procedure would only be used to improve texture and wrinkles. Since your wrinkles don't seem to be particularly deep, you may want to consider a Halo laser treatment. The Halo can improve texture, wrinkles, the appearance of pores and has very little if any downtime. It can also further improve any reds and browns in the skin and can be combined with a BBL.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Plastic SpecialistQuintessa Aesthetic Centers

Your pictures indicate you have a significant amount of dyschromia(pigment) as well as blood vessels in the central face and overall coarse skin texture.    A resurfacing laser would be of little benefit for the reds/browns, but an excellent choice for coarseness and fine lines.   An IPL or BBL device either before or preferably after a resurfacing treatment would be more appropriate for addressing vascular and pigmentation issues.  If you are wanting to proceed with resurfacing for smoothing, tightening coarse, lax skin I would recommend doing that first and then following this up with an IPL/BBL device if needed.  

Thank you for your question. Yes there are laser resurfacing treatments available for people with rosacea... From Radiofrequency heat induced to certain types of other lasers. A lot will depend on the severity of your Rosacea as to which would be the best course of action. It is always best to seek consultation from a reputable provider who understands and specializes in this type of skin, so they can properly assess the skin. 

A vascular laser for the redness combined with radiofrequency would be a safer apporach. The vascular laser will tone down the redness and thermismooth can tighten skin along jowls as well as the eyes.

The quick answer, is yes! We commonly do laser resurfacing in patients that have rosacea. That being said, your rosacea should be well controlled prior to laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing could flare the rosacea, but there options for preventing and treating the rosacea flare. I recommend consultation and treatment with a board certified dermatologist to ensure your rosacea is controlled and have a plan for management after the laser resurfacing.

Any ablative laser WILL flare up your rosacea. I tell this to all my patients, however come up with a management plan including the following-1. Pre control of rosacea either topically, medically or both.2. After care including the use of anti inflammatory antibiotics such as doxycycline starting a week or two before the laser, continuing for 8 weeks post.3. Lasers such as VBeam or Excel V after the treatment to decrease redness.I commonly resurface rosacea patients, but always warn them about the flare up, but most importantly come up with a PLAN to treat this.All the bestDr Davin Lim