Rosacea
What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a condition where inflammation develops on the face (pimples/whiteheads) and is associated with redness, flushing and persistent blood vessels. It is thought to involve multiple factors – genetics, sun exposure, and the balance of micro-organisms on our body (microbiome). It most commonly involves the nose, cheeks and chin. Though it can be managed and well-controlled, there is no long-term cure for rosacea.
What treatments are available for this condition?
The inflammatory components of rosacea (pimples, whiteheads, swelling) are best treated with prescription topicals and medications if needed. The vascular components of rosacea (dilated blood vessels, background redness and flushing) are best treated with devices such as a vascular laser or intense pulsed light (IPL). Laser Genesis is a gentler form of vascular laser treatment that can target flushing.
Vascular laser is the gold standard treatment for the vessels, redness and flushing of rosacea. We employ an ExcelV+ laser that uses infrared and green laser light that gets absorbed by red structures in the skin only, making it a precise, selective and targeted treatment. Often, 2-3 treatments at a 6-8 week interval are performed to reach the desired outcome, and maintenance retreatment may occur 12 or 18 months later. For more details, see vascular laser.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is not technically a laser – it is a broadband light that is absorbed by both red structures in the skin and by melanin. It is best suited to patients with fair skin where both sun spots and excess redness occur. For more details, see IPL.
Laser Genesis is a gentler form of vascular laser. It is delivered by our nursing staff over a 20-30 minute treatment and feels like gentle heat moving around the face. Unlike vascular laser or IPL, it has essentially no social downtime. This treatment is best suited for patients who cannot have social downtime and who primarily experience flushing. Multiple treatments every 2-4 weeks are necessary to improve flushing – maintenance is often done 2-4 times a year after.
