What Is Rosacea?
When rosacea develops, it typically causes persistent facial flushing, visible blood vessels, and in some cases, small bumps that can resemble acne. This inflammatory condition tends to cycle through periods of flare-ups and remission. While there is no cure for rosacea, proper medical care can help control symptoms and prevent progression of the condition.
What Causes Rosacea?
Multiple factors can trigger or worsen rosacea symptoms:
- Genetic predisposition
- Sun exposure
- Hot or cold temperatures
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol consumption
- Exercise
- Emotional stress
- Hot beverages
- Certain skincare products
While avoiding triggers can help reduce flare-ups, the underlying inflammatory response often requires medical intervention for optimal management. Environmental factors and lifestyle habits alone may not be sufficient to control more severe symptoms, particularly once blood vessels become permanently enlarged or tissue changes occur.
Symptoms and Impact
Rosacea manifests differently among individuals but typically includes several characteristic signs:
- The central face, including cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead, often shows persistent redness that may resemble a sunburn or blush. Over time, small blood vessels near the skin’s surface become enlarged and visible.
- Some people develop small, red, acne-like bumps, while others may experience eye irritation or thickening of the skin, particularly around the nose.
- Flare-ups can be unpredictable and may cause burning, stinging, or itching sensations. The visible nature of rosacea can affect social confidence and daily activities, especially during active flares.
What Rosacea Treatments Are Available?
At AboutSkin Dermatology and Aesthetics, we offer several advanced laser and light-based treatments for rosacea. Our Board-Certified Dermatologists will evaluate your specific type of rosacea to recommend the most appropriate treatment approach based on your symptoms, skin type, and other individual factors that may affect treatment success.
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
This specialized laser treatment targets the dilated blood vessels characteristic of rosacea. The laser energy is absorbed by the red pigment in blood, precisely heating and collapsing unwanted vessels while protecting surrounding tissue. Multiple sessions may be recommended for optimal results, particularly for more extensive redness or visible vessels.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Using advanced systems like MaxG and BBL, IPL therapy delivers multiple wavelengths of light to address both visible vessels and overall redness. This versatile treatment can help improve skin tone while reducing the appearance of rosacea symptoms. The broad spectrum of light energy makes it particularly effective for treating larger areas of facial redness.
Non-Ablative Fractional Lasers
These sophisticated laser systems create microscopic treatment zones in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. This approach helps address the texture changes and inflammation associated with rosacea while promoting overall skin health. The fractional treatment pattern allows for faster healing and minimal downtime.