Please help! I suffer from severe acne rosacea! How to clear up my face? What treatments could work? (photos)

This can be treated with isotretinoin, pulsed dye laser treatments and salicylic acid peels.  I suggest you see a well trained cosmetic dermatologist who specializes in lasers, scaring and acne/rosacea.  Best, Dr. Emer.

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

Hi ESLK.  In the past, we have been successful with pulsed dye lasers for acne Rosacea.  Unfortunately, IPL is not a laser and does not have the same capability as a pulsed dye.  If you are not interested in the medication route, this would be where we would direct you.  See the photos of other Los Angeles patients at the link below that we have treated for Rosacea and acne Rosacea with pulsed dye lasers.  

Thank you for your photos. Treating Rosacea depends on the type of Rosacea you have.
The following are subtypes of Rosacea:

Subtype 1 – flushed, red facial skin, facial spider veins, sensitivity, and dry skin

Subtype 2 – acne breakouts, very red skin, oily skin, sensitive skin

Subtype 3 – rare type of rosacea with bumpy portions of skin, especially on the nose, and oily skin

Subtype 4 – affects the eyes causing burning, stinging, blurry vision, and dryness

There are a variety of methods used to treat Rosacea including photodynamic therapy and the Cynergy pulsed dye laser. This laser is FDA-approved and revolutionary at removing redness and scars from your skin. For more information, I recommend getting a in person consultation with a board-certified dermatologist.

 

It appears you have a severe form of cystic acne and you should not take isotretinoin because you have ulcerative colitis. There are many very good treatments and you should see a board certified dermatologist for help

I suspect you have both rosacea and acne. Rosacea is very complex and a tailored treatment program give the best results. This is because there are many types of rosacea (telengtctatic or capillaries, flushing and redness, acne like rosacea, ocular rosacea and even rhinophyma rosacea.)



To add to the complexity, everyone has different flare factors- Sunlight, stress, foods, chemical irritants, creams, changes in temperature, alcohol. The list goes on. 





A detailed history, together with a treatment tailored according to YOUR type of rosacea will give the best results. As a guide, I use a combination of -





1. Lasers ( to treat redness, broken capillaries, rhinophyma, flushing)- best laser is the V BEAM. IPL can be used, but usually not as effective





2. Creams - anti inflammatory





3. Tablets -anti - inflammatory and sometimes low dose Vitamin A. 





4. For females- Mineral make up is recommend, over make up that contains parabens. 





For the best results, consult a dermatologist for both medical and laser treatment options. 





Kind regards.





Dr Davin S. Lim.



Laser Dermatologist.



Brisbane, Australia.