Laser Skin Treatments for Rosacea

Your face is red. Are you blushing? Did you spend a bit too much time in the sun? Some people have a naturally ruddy complexion. Or, you might have rosacea.

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes facial redness or flushed appearance. It can also cause small red bumps that look something like acne. There is no cure, but here at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics we offer laser skin treatments that can significantly reduce your symptoms to restore more even skin tone and texture.

How Do You Know If You Have Rosacea?

You may think you have acne, spider veins, or some other skin condition when the problem is actually rosacea. The condition is common and can affect both men and women. That said, we most often see it in women who are over 30 and have light skin. Rosacea can come and go, sometimes lingering for weeks or even months,

Signs and symptoms:

• Persistent redness, especially in the middle part of your face
• Visible small blood vessels on the nose and/or cheeks
• Red pimples, sometimes pus-filled
• Facial skin may feel tender or hot
• Dry, swollen eyes or red, puffy eyelids (a symptom that sometimes appears before facial redness)
• Enlarged, bulbous nose (more common in men, caused by gradual thickening of nasal skin)

We don’t know exactly what causes rosacea. There is evidence that genetics plays a role, and you’re more likely to develop rosacea if you smoke or your skin is sun-damaged. A variety of things can trigger flare-ups, including:

• Environmental factors (sun, wind, extreme temperatures)
• Spice foods
• Hot drinks
• Alcohol, especially red wine
• Exercise or emotions that lead to facial flushing
• Medications that dilate the blood vessels
• Certain cosmetics

Laser skin treatment can significantly improve the appearance of your skin. 

How We Use Lasers to Treat Rosacea 

Laser skin treatments are popular because they are so versatile. In the hands of a skilled provider, lasers can be precisely controlled to treat very small as well as large areas, including delicate facial skin, without harming surrounding tissues. These treatments can produce impressive results, restoring a smoother, more youthful surface and stimulating growth of healthy new skin cells.

At Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics we use either a Diolite laser or intense-pulsed light (IPL) to treat rosacea, depending on your skin type and other personal factors.

The Diolite laser delivers a steady, highly-focused beam of light. As the light is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) and tiny blood vessels that form rosacea, it kills the cells which are then absorbed by your body.

Intense-pulsed light works a bit differently, delivering a broader spectrum of light in short bursts, but results are similar. This option works well for rosacea because its technology is designed to correct pigmentation problems such as redness and uneven tone as well as eliminate broken capillaries.

Treatments usually take 20-45 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. Because multiple treatments can produce greater improvement, Dr. Raval usually recommends up to 4-6 sessions to achieve optimal results. Maintenance treatments can help prevent symptoms from returning.

Unfortunately, Diolite and IPL are not recommended for treating darker skin, because the laser cannot effectively distinguish the targeted pigment. On the other hand, as we noted earlier, individuals with light skin are most likely to develop rosacea.

What about Risks and Side-Effects?

Following laser treatment, you may experience temporary swelling, redness, and/or itching at the treatment site. In some cases, Diolite treatment may also cause minor blistering and scabbing. These side effects should not keep you from resuming normal daily activity after your treatment.

There are also some risks associated with laser treatment for rosacea, primarily infection, scarring, or changes in skin color.

The best way to avoid risks and minimize side effects of any procedure is to choose a skilled, experienced provider. This is especially true when it comes to laser treatments, because lasers use heat or very intense light that can be dangerous if not used properly. Dr. Jeff Raval and our team of medical aestheticians at RMLA are all highly trained in using these tools safely as well as effectively.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Almost anyone with lighter skin tone can benefit from laser treatment for their rosacea. It’s always best if you’re in good health overall and a non-smoker. The most important factor is realistic expectations. Laser treatment will not eliminate your rosacea, but it can significantly reduce your symptoms.

Can Laser Treatments Really Help Rosacea?

>Yes. Just a few short, in-office treatment sessions can bring pronounced, long-lasting relief from redness, visible capillaries, and bumpy skin.

The laser skin treatments we use to counteract rosacea can also address other facial skin imperfections, so we may be able to help you achieve more than one goal simultaneously. Not only that, laser treatments combine nicely with other non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures and specialized skin care products to further improve results and help you maintain your renewed appearance longer.

Exactly how might laser treatment help your rosacea? We’ll have to see you to answer that question since everyone’s skin and desired results are different. A personal consultation will help us answer all your questions, determine if Diolite or IPL is the best choice for you, then create a personally-tailored treatment plan.