Here at Beauty By Laser, our technicians are well-equipped to offer laser treatment for Rosacea and facial redness, but what exactly is this condition? From exploring what Rosacea is and what causes it, to learning how it’s diagnosed, managed and what treatments are available, we’ve compiled our knowledge to put together a simple guide to help you get started.
Please note, you should always consult your GP or dermatologist if you are concerned you may be experiencing rosacea in order to get a proper diagnosis.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a relatively common skin condition that shows itself in redness and flushing on the face. In standard cases, visible blood vessels may be visible, but for more severe cases, you may experience pus-filled bumps that can be mistaken for acne. The regularity of flare-ups will differ on a case-by-case basis, but it typically affects white, middle-aged women the most, for periods of anything from weeks, to months. The condition can also come and go throughout a person’s lifetime and while there is no cure, it can be controlled and managed with treatment.
What Are The Causes?
Doctors are unsure of what exactly causes rosacea, however, there are a number of things that could have an effect and play a role. These include:
- Genes – Studies suggest that rosacea can be a genetic condition that runs in the family.
- Blood Vessels – Problems with the blood vessels, particularly sun damage, could cause redness and flushing of the skin.
- Mites – Mites, specifically a type called Demodex Folliculorum, are tiny insects that naturally live on our skin and are usuall completely harmless. If you have a heightened sensitivity, however, this could irritate the skin and cause redness.
- Bacteria – Bacteria called H. Pylori could affect your digestive system and raise the amount of digestive hormone you produce, which may cause a flushed look.
As well as the above issues, there are a few other situations in which you might find yourself more prone to rosacea, or where rosacea might be triggered. These include:
- Blonde, light skinned and blue-eyed people
- Women
- Family history of rosacea
- People between 30 and 50
- Severe acne
- Smokers
- Regular consumption of alcohol
- Caffeine consumption
How Is It Diagnosed?
There are no strict tests for rosacea, which means that diagnosis is made via examination of the skin and in some cases, in taking a health history. Some GPs may run tests for other skin conditions to rule them out, but generally speaking, diagnosis is made based on the presence of enlarged blood cells.
What Treatments Are There?
While there is no permanent cure for rosacea, there are a couple of treatments available that can help you manage and reduce the appearance. There are two main treatments for rosacea that can be utilised together for the best results:
- Medication And Topical Creams
Medications for rosacea treatments are constantly being released and improved upon, however, the type you are prescribed will depend on your skin type and the symptoms that you’re experiencing. In some cases, you may need more than one medication to tackle the symptoms. Medicines could include topical creams and ointments to reduce flushing such as Brimonidine and Oxymetazoline. You could also be prescribed Azelaic Acid, metronidazole or ivermectin to control acne and pimples caused by rosacea. In some cases, you may also be prescribed oral antibiotics.
- Laser treatment
Laser treatments offer a non-medicinal solution for rosacea, using lasers to treat the enlarged vessels to reduce the overall redness of your skin. The laser damages the vessels that are enlarged, ultimately encouraging your skin to naturally heal them at a reduced size in order to offer a more balanced complexion. Our clinicians are highly experienced, fully-trained experts in laser treatments for rosacea, offering a non-invasive solution that can help you to reduce redness and improve the balanced tone of your skin. We will work with you for as many sessions as you need to get the longest-lasting results possible.
Treating rosacea may not be a permanent solution, but with a mixture of laser treatments and prescribed medications, you can manage rosacea long-term. For more information about our treatments or to book sessions with our experts, get in touch with a member of our team, today.