Solution for a Red Nose?

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

The majority of cases of red noses are related to blood vessels but there are some cases that the redness is part of a precancerous sun-damaged condition called actinic keratosis. Usually actinic keratoses consist of redness and slight roughness as the surface dead cells build up and get thicker. Sometimes this roughness is not apparent easily. The condition can be more advanced into in-situ squamous cell carcinoma and non rough redness can be a sign of basal cell carcinoma.  A board-certified dermatologist can render an opinion by examination with visualization, feeling, using magnification and dermatoscopy (epiluminescence). If in the end, the redness is only related to superficial capillaries, giving a diffuse hue of redness, then V-beam laser, IPL and other devices can make the capillaries improve. This may be a manifestation of rosacea and new blood vessels will develop over time even after the current ones go away. Maintenance treatment with the V-beam laser is common when new ones develop.

Many lasers generate wavelengths that are absorbed by red quite well.  My favorite is the 532nm VARILITE (IRIDEX) laser.  Actually, this is a dual wavelength device that produces a 940nm beam that also treats red vessels well.  Intense pulsed light or a 1064nm Nd-YAG laser will also work.  More than a single treatment may be required.

Numerous published research studies have shown that the pulsed dye laser is superior to IPL for treating diffuse redness and capillaries.

We offer both IPL and pulsed dye laser in our practice

The ND Yag laser is a good option larger, visible vessels larger than 1 mm in diameter.  Is has little value for diffuse redness.

You may need multiple treatments, depending on your goals.  These are spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

Seek a Board Certified dermatologist with lots of laser choices and lots of experience.  The dermatologist should be the one performing the treatment.  (not turning the treatment over to other staff members).

take care, Dr. Groff

Redness can be addressed with VBeam or IPL. Consult in person with an experienced and expert treating physician to understand your options.