Rosacea is a fairly common skin condition that causes the skin on the face, particularly the cheeks, to become red and inflamed with acne-like bumps, broken vessels, and other skin sensitivity. It can be very difficult to cope with this condition since avoiding triggers can be impossible because there is no cure for the root cause of the condition. However, at Timeless Laser & Skincare in Westlake, OH, we know that treatments for rosacea can help calm the symptoms of this condition.
How Long Does Rosacea Treatment Take?
Treating the visible symptoms of rosacea will take several weeks based on the condition of your skin. Most treatments for this skin condition work by gradually constricting blood vessels in the face, diffusing redness, and addressing acne-like pimples and bumps. Because your skin is sensitive, the treatments used to reduce your symptoms will need to be mild, yet consistent, to produce your results.
Laser treatments like Laser Genesis are some of the most effective options for treating this skin condition. This treatment works by gently heating the upper layers of the skin to rebuild collagen, constrict small visible vessels, and treat enlarged pores and redness on the skin surface. You will likely see initial results about two weeks after your first treatment.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Laser Genesis treatments are exceptionally gentle for sensitive skin, so most people will need at least three to four initial treatments to achieve optimal results. Your treatments will be spaced about two to four weeks apart. Most people will see the final results of this treatment about three months after their last treatment.
How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
For a laser treatment, there are special preparation instructions you should follow so you can get the best results. For example, you may be encouraged to discontinue certain topical or oral medications, as well as some products with active ingredients that may cause additional skin sensitivity. You may need to stop smoking for at least two weeks and avoid drinking alcohol at least 24 to 48 hours before your treatment.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
Your skin will be vulnerable after your laser treatment, so it’s important to treat your skin with gentle products, tepid water, and other non-irritating factors to avoid skin irritation. Keeping your skin moisturized will be vital to soothe your skin after a laser treatment. You should also be sure to wear SPF 30 or higher after your treatment to protect your skin from damaging UV rays and irritation.
How Long Do Results Last?
Because this skin condition is considered chronic, the longevity of your results will depend on factors related to your condition. If you can avoid triggers and irritants, then you may be able to enjoy results for one to three years – or sometimes longer. This is because the new collagen growth will fortify your skin to make your skin more durable. The small vessels removed with laser treatment will not return for at least three to five years.
That said, if your skin is triggered by an irritant or you stop using your medications as prescribed, then your skin condition may return sooner. For some people, scheduling an annual treatment once a year is the best way to prolong results and address any mild symptoms that may be returning. Please discuss your ideal treatment frequency with your dermatologist.
What Else Is Used To Treat Rosacea?
Your dermatologist will make the best treatment recommendation based on the condition of your skin, your skin type, and the severity of your symptoms. Laser treatments are highly effective for treating the most visible symptoms of this condition, but they may not be the only treatment used. Some patients respond better when treatments are combined or may require other treatments to get flare-ups under control before laser treatments can be used. Other treatments that are used for this condition include:
Topical Ointments
Topical ointments are often the first line of defense for this skin condition, particularly for those who have mild symptoms. Topical creams, ointments, and gels can constrict blood vessels that may contribute to flushing, and some medications can also control pimples and bumps. Topical medications have a temporary effect and must be applied regularly to produce significant results.
Oral Medications
Both oral antibiotics and oral acne medications can also be used to treat the symptoms of this condition. Antibiotics work to help reduce bacteria that contribute to rosacea bumps, while oral acne medications are used when your skin does not respond to other treatments. Strong acne medications can reduce some of the acne-like bumps on the face.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can be beneficial to reducing flare-ups or avoiding triggers. Learning what irritates your skin and avoiding these irritants in your skincare ingredients, diet, and environment can go a long way toward improving your symptoms. It’s also important to treat your skin gently by avoiding stripping cleansers, products with fragrances, and drying ingredients like alcohol or camphor on the skin.
Another key to reducing the symptoms of rosacea is to regularly wear SPF when you plan to be outside. This is particularly important after laser treatments and with certain topical medications, as SPF will also protect your skin from hyperpigmentation. During extreme weather, you should protect your skin by wearing hats or placing a scarf around your neck to protect your skin from cold wind.
What Causes Rosacea?
This skin condition can affect all skin tones and skin types, but it’s most commonly seen on fair-skinned women in their 30s and 40s. As of now, there is no cure for this condition – even after very effective treatments, this condition can return months or years later because of new flare-ups. The cause of this skin condition is still unknown, although research suggests that an overactive immune system may be to blame. Other causal factors can include genetics or environmental factors.
While the cause of the condition itself is unknown, there are several common triggers that many people with this condition share. A trigger will begin a flare-up that will cause the symptoms of this skin condition. Some triggers can include hot beverages, alcoholic beverages, spicy food, excessive sun or wind exposure, strenuous exercise, some medications, and even ingredients in skincare products, such as fragrances.
Are There Risk Factors?
Are there factors that will make you more likely to have this skin condition? While this condition can develop on anyone at any time, the biggest risk factors associated with developing this condition include being a woman over the age of 30, having a history of this skin condition in your family, and having skin that is easily sunburned. Another risk factor that may contribute to this skin condition is being a smoker.
What Are the Symptoms?
This skin condition is characterized by several symptoms. Not everyone will have the same pattern of symptoms or symptoms to the same degree of severity. Early symptoms of this skin condition are often mistaken as acne or other conditions. The symptoms of this skin condition will become progressively worse over time.
Flushing
The most common symptom of this condition is facial flushing or blushing. If your face is easily red, particularly in the nose and cheeks, then this may be a symptom of this condition. People who have medium to dark complexions may have difficulty detecting this symptom. As this symptom progresses, it can make the skin appear permanently red or flushed.
Veins
If there are small broken blood vessels on your face, such as around your nose and on your cheeks, along with visible flushing then this may be a symptom of this skin condition. Broken blood vessels or spider veins on the face typically occur because of repeated facial flushing.
Bumps
The final classic symptom of this condition is bumps or acne-like pimples on the face. While these bumps can be filled with pus and resemble acne, they are typically caused by different factors than acne and will require different treatments to manage. The bumps will typically occur where there is a lot of facial flushing.
No More Redness With Laser Genesis Treatments
Coping with this skin condition can be challenging because it is considered chronic, has no known cure, and can be triggered by a variety of factors. However, there are treatments available to help reduce the symptoms. One effective treatment for this skin condition is Laser Genesis, which can produce long-lasting results in about three to six months. Please contact Timeless Laser & Skincare in Westlake, OH to schedule your consultation today.