Rosacea is an embarrassing condition. Frequently mistaken for adult acne, this chronic inflammatory skin disease can flare up unpredictably, for weeks or months on end. The sufferer feels humiliated and helpless, at the mercy of minimally effective topical and oral retinoids or antibiotics. Now, there is a better way to take care of Rosacea—laser skin treatment is a safe and effective way of clearing up the symptoms of this condition.
How Do I Know if I Have Rosacea?
Rosacea tends to occur in genetically susceptible individuals who have fair skin and hair and light eyes. Additionally, environmental factors can play a role in the development of the condition, as certain climates, cultures, and lifestyles may exacerbate an underlying predisposition.
If you can point out other family members who have succumb to Rosacea, it would be wise to steer clear of the following triggers (or partake in moderation), which increase blood flow to the skin. They include:
- -Spicy foods
- -Heated beverages/food
- -Alcoholic beverages
- -Hot climates
- -Sun bathing or prolonged exposure to the sun
- -Saunas
- -Exercise
- -Stress
- -Embarrassment
With these genetic and environmental elements combined, a person who finds that they are experiencing the following may have Rosacea:
- -Bumps or pustules (acne-like symptoms)
- -Facial redness or flushing of the skin
- -Visible blood vessels
- -Rhinophyma (tissue build up which causes the nose to become red and swollen)
Types of Laser Skin Treatments
Rosacea is not harmful or life-threatening, thus the main concerns with treatment are purely cosmetic. Laser skin treatments address the two main issues which arise with Rosacea, which are the redness/flushing, and the rhinophyma. The following lasers are employed by FineTouch Dermatology to tackle each of these issues separately, as needed:
- -The Vbeam laser system operates on a wavelength that is able to destroy the lining of precisely targeted blood vessels. This, in turn, causes the blood vessels to break down and be absorbed by the body, eliminating the appearance of these blood vessels on the skin and any redness/flushing they caused.
- -Ablative CO2 laser systems correct the growth of excess tissue by targeting water molecules within. This reduces the redness and swelling with quick healing and recovery time.