It’s National Rosacea Month – a perfect time to shine the light on what rosacea is and the skin treatments available to treat this condition.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. There are several different ways this disorder manifests itself. Individuals may have one or several of these symptoms: Small dilated blood vessels; thick, lumpy skin texture; acne-looking bumps, redness, burning feeling and itching. The cause of rosacea is not clearly understood. Numerous triggers can include stress, alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and caffeine. While there is no way to prevent rosacea, it is critical to treat rosacea because chronic inflammation in the skin can lead to chronic inflammation in other parts of the body. Some antibiotics and antimicrobial medicals have been shown to help people with rosacea.
Cosmetic Treatments
Some treatments can help reduce the noticeable cosmetic effects of rosacea. Most of these treatments destroy the inflamed and visible blood vessels, thus reducing the redness.
Intense Pulsed Light PhotoFacial (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light PhotoFacial is a light based treatment that targets a variety of skin conditions, including rosacea. While you get your rosacea treated with IPL, you will also be able to improve age and sun spots, dull complexion, uneven pigmentation, and large pores. There is no downtime for this treatment method, and it can be combined with a variety of other skin treatments to optimize rosacea appearance. IPL is also known to help to smooth the skin and create a better appearance in general.
Laser Facial
Similar to light therapy is laser therapy. A specialized laser is used to correct the skin. Different types of lasers are designed to target the surface in different ways. Consult with your provider to determine which laser treatment is best for your skin. While laser treatments will start to show results by reducing redness and improving skin quality, it can take up to four treatments to start seeing the full effects. Lasers don’t only work on the color; they can also work on veins, scarring, and more.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels are used to reduce the appearance of redness and acne-like bumps. By exfoliating the top layer of the skin, older skin is replaced by new, healthier skin cells. The chemicals used in these peels are designed not to be harmful to the body and have been studied to reduce the chances of side effects. While individuals with sensitive skin may not be able to use chemical peels, it is suggested that you talk with your provider to find out what type of chemical peel would work best for your skin type.
Once a medical diagnosis of rosacea has been made, cosmetic treatments can do much to improve the appearance of your skin.
For more information on skin treatments for rosacea or to schedule a consultation, contact BodyLase at 919-954-2288 (Raleigh) or 919-851-8989 (Cary).
