What else can I try besides Hydrafacial for very sensitive rosacea/acne prone skin?

Hello, my name is Ranen and I am an aesthetic nurse at Aesthetic Skin in Chicago. If you’ve had a reaction to the HydraFacial and you have sensitive, acne-/rosacea-prone skin, it makes a lot of sense to look for gentler alternatives that still give you a “refresh / glow” effect ahead of your special event this summer. Here are some treatment ideas + skincare tweaks, and importantly things to check so you don’t re-trigger the reaction. Light Therapy (alone or as an add-on) LED treatments (especially red/amber light) are very gentle and support calming inflammation, which is valuable for rosacea-prone skin. Because you’re especially reactive, a non-thermal, non-abrasive light treatment may be a safe “special-event” boost. Gentle Chemical Peels / Barrier-Friendly “Peel” Treatments.
Because you are acne/rosacea-prone, any peel should be minimal irritation, avoid heavy extraction, and include calming serums post-treatment. Customized Gentle Facial + Skin Barrier Restoration, Because you reacted before, a true “safe” facial could be one where the aesthetician tailors the flow like this: no strong suction, minimal extraction, soothing serums only, maybe lymphatic drainage, finishing with calming mask/LED. There are many anecdotes/experiences of people with rosacea whose barrier got worse after standard facials. “Any type of facial that has high intensity … are likely to be too stimulating or potentially irritating on the skin with the repetitive movements.” So find someone experienced in rosacea/sensitive skin, instruct them about your past reaction, patch-test if possible. What to avoid or proceed with caution; Strong suction, manual extractions (especially if you have broken capillaries or thin skin) — suction can aggravate broken capillaries. Harsh exfoliants, strong acids (high % glycolic/salicylic), anything that causes visible irritation or “peeling” in skin prone to rosacea. Treatments that are marketed like “aggressive deep cleaning” or “microdermabrasion” for you might be too much right now. Since you mentioned a special event this summer, plan ahead:
Choose a treatment that gives results but minimal downtime (no major immediate redness or flaking).
Allow for 2-4 weeks before the event if possible so your skin can settle and you can test the reaction.
After your “boost” treatment, maintain with gentle home care to keep the results. Skincare + Home-care support. While the professional treatment will help, home upkeep is important — especially for sensitive/acne/rosacea skin. Key ideas: Use barrier-supportive, non-irritating skincare: e.g. products with niacinamide (good for acne + rosacea). Gentle cleanser, avoid hot water, minimize triggers (sun, heat, spicy food, alcohol, etc) that can worsen rosacea. Daily SPF (very important) because sun can trigger both acne/rosacea and broken capillaries. After your treatment, ask the provider what to avoid (e.g., heavy active ingredients) until your skin recovers.

If your skin is very sensitive and prone to both rosacea and acne, it makes sense to be cautious with Hydrafacial or any exfoliating treatment. The key is working with a board-certified dermatologist who can evaluate your skin in person and choose the best course of treatment. Consider trying out a Salt Facial or LED Red Light Therapy. LED Light Therapy is a completely non-invasive option that calms redness, soothes irritation, and promotes healing. Many patients with rosacea find this very comfortable and beneficial.

Maybe a VI Peel would be good if you are looking to have soft, glowy skin before an event. This Specific chemical peel is good for all skin types and Fitzpatrick scale (also good for people who have rosacea) there are different peels depending on what your skin concern is !

Hello,
Broad Band Light (BBL) would be a great option for you. It targets both rosacea and acne. I recommend at least 3 sessions 4 weeks apart. There is no downtime to the treatment as well!
All the best,
Dr. Joe

Hydrafacial can sometimes purge the skin, pulling to the surface what is underneath. You can always try a basic facial to do extractions and high frequency to diminish any bacteria. Another thing is getting on good medical grade skin care, it will work faster then most skincare from Ulta and Sephora. If you have more questions on skincare and treatments call 423-624-0021

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis. We see atrophic and hypertrophic scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to discuss the best treatment options for your type of skin. .

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

There are several alternative treatments you can consider for sensitive rosacea/acne-prone skin:

1. **LED Light Therapy:** This non-invasive treatment uses different colors of light to target various skin issues. Blue light is often used for acne, while red light may help with inflammation and redness associated with rosacea.

2. **Chemical Peels:** While this may sound intense for sensitive skin, there are gentle options available. Mandelic acid peels, for example, are often recommended for sensitive skin types as this alpha hydroxy acid is larger in molecular size, hence penetrates the skin more slowly causing less irritation.

3. **Microneedling:** This treatment uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, which triggers the body's healing process, resulting in increased collagen production. This can help with both acne and rosacea, but must be performed by a professional to avoid damage to the skin.

4. **Topical Treatments:** If you're looking for something less invasive, there are many topical treatments available that can help with both acne and rosacea. Azelaic acid is a popular ingredient that can help with both conditions, and niacinamide can also be beneficial for reducing redness and inflammation.

5. **Oral Medications:** In some cases, oral medications like antibiotics or isotretinoin may be recommended by your dermatologist.

6. **Laser Treatments:** For persistent rosacea, laser treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Vascular Laser Therapy can be beneficial. These treatments target the blood vessels that cause the redness associated with rosacea.

7. **Facials:** Gentle facials designed specifically for sensitive skin can also be helpful. Look for treatments that include calming ingredients like chamomile, green tea, or oatmeal.

Remember, everyone's skin is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's always best to consult with a dermatologist or a professional skincare specialist before trying a new treatment. They can assess your skin type and condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

I would recommend that you work with an aesthetician experienced in the care of acne clients. Based on my personal experience, the Face Reality skin care brand (I am NOT paid in any way by them) has been life-changing for many of their clients. I have no doubt there's others that are excellent as well, but I'm quite familiar with that brand and their success.

I encourage you to begin by visiting with an experienced aesthetician at a med spa for an evaluation. You'll likely find that your skin will respond best from a combination of treatments that include medical grade skin care products, like Transform MD, combined with other med spa treatments. An experienced aesthetician can let you know the right combination of products for best results.