Rosacea – Can It Be Controlled By Laser Treatments?

Rosacea  is a skin condition that causes redness and often small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face.  It is a very common skin condition that affects over 16 million people in the United States each year. Because of its red-faced, acne-like effects on personal appearance, however, it can cause significant psychological, social and occupational problems if left untreated. While the cause of rosacea is unknown, any one of the following warning signs is a signal to see a dermatologist or other knowledgeable physician for diagnosis and appropriate treatment before the signs and symptoms become increasingly severe: redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead; small visible blood vessels on the face; bumps or pimples on the face; watery or irritated eyes.  Rosacea cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with many different treatment options. Today, we will talk about laser treatment options with yag and pulsed dye lasers.

Certain types of lasers are now being used to reduce the appearance of rosacea for many patients. The YAG laser is one of those being offered to treat patients with various blood vessel abnormalities including port wine stains and pigment disorders. The long pulse Nd:YAG laser  has enabled the application of this wavelength to be extended to treat rosacea. The Nd:YAG wavelength combines a deep penetration with a pulsing that matches the natural relaxation time of vessels between pulses. Patients experience marked improvements in their complexion  after six weeks of therapy.

Pulsed dye lasers are also being used to treat excessive blood vessels in the face. The pulsed dye lasers employ selective photothermolysis to target superficial blood vessels and coagulate them without causing any further dermal damage. This treatment option may cause slight bruising, but the bruising will go away within 3-5 days.

Give us a call to talk about options to treat your rosacea today!