Rosacea

Rosacea is a genetic condition of the skin on the face. It has many appearances and can be very unsightly. Most commonly, it involves blushy redness and the development of many tiny veins. It is often accompanied by acne. Sometimes it causes growth of the nose (rhinophyma). 

Medically speaking, rosacea is pretty much harmless. However, it can take a significant emotional toll, as its sufferers are often very self-conscious and go to great lengths to cover it up.

Rosacea usually shows up in mid-life. It generally hits you after you've reached your 40s. It runs in families. It seems to be more prevalent in people with fair skin and women, but it tends to be more severe in men.

What Causes Rosacea?

The cause of rosacea is not clear. We do know that it is usually inherited. There are theories that it is skin condition, a blood vessel condition, or even a nervous system condition. With the variety of theories out there it's obvious no one really has any idea what causes rosacea.

The only factor that is known to speed up the development of rosacea is sun exosure. Although emotion, some foods, exercise, and alcohol can make rosacea look worse, this is only a temporary effect. None of these things actually cause progression of the condition.

Rosacea Solutions*

Topical Therapies

Although there are numerous products, over-the-counter and prescription, that supposedly help rosacea, they are only effective at treating the acne component. They have minimal effect on the redness and blood vessels, the most common feature of rosacea that people want to treat. To treat the vessels laser and IPL are needed.

Laser Vein Treatment

Lasers treat the larger blood vessels. Laser energy is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin, the pigment in blood. This produces a rapid rise in temperature that damages the vessel wall resulting in injury to the vein. If the injury is bad enough, the vein dies. It will be absorbed by the body over two to three weeks. Some veins are not injured, and they will survive.Unfortunately, because roscea is a process, you will make new veins and need ongoing treatments, usually every 2 to 5 years.*

Photorejuvenation

We can utilize IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) to help you. IPL is used following laser to get the smaller blood vessels. The IPL's intense light is absorbed by blood inside the vessels. The heat in the blood damages the vessel it is sitting in. The body then repairs this minor damage, and in doing so the blood vessels are absorbed by the body and disappear.*

Unfortunately, rosacea is a process. We don't stop the process. We only treat what has already shown up. Your body will make new vessels and you will require ongoing treatments, usually every few years.

Our knowledgeable and experienced staff can help you with your skin. Contact us today by calling (905) 726-1126