Rosacea is a skin condition that affects 16 million Americans. Laser therapy for rosacea is a non-invasive way to reduce redness and other symptoms of this common condition.
North Shore Med Spa on Long Island offers a wide range of aesthetic services, including rosacea laser treatment. Here’s how this therapy works and how to request a consultation.
What Is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It can affect anyone, though it is most common among women, people with fair skin, and older adults.
Symptoms of rosacea tend to come and go in cycles and include:
- Facial redness and flushing
- Rash and pimples that resemble acne
- Thin blood vessels on the cheeks and nose
- Thickened skin, particularly on the nose
- Sore, itching, watery, and/or dry eyes
The goal of rosacea treatment is to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life in those who are living with this condition. Medications, surgery, and laser therapies are the most common treatments for rosacea.
Which Laser Treatments Can Help With Rosacea?
Several laser treatments can reduce symptoms of rosacea, including CO2 lasers, pulsed-dye lasers, YAG lasers, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
CO2 Lasers
Also known as ablative laser therapy, CO2 laser therapy targets and breaks down tiny blood vessels without damaging surrounding skin and tissues. CO2 laser therapy can also stimulate the growth of new skin and reshape the nose and other areas of the face damaged by the effects of rosacea.
Pulsed-Dye Lasers
This laser therapy uses pulses of light to target and destroy visible blood vessels and reduce inflammation in the face. Dye is used to change the colors of laser beams and reduce redness and flushing.
YAG Lasers
Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers can target visible blood vessels, shrink enlarged pores, and remove excess tissues contributing to a bulbous nose. This laser therapy is ideal for those diagnosed with type II or type III rosacea.
IPL Therapy
IPL therapy uses multiple wavelengths of light to reduce facial redness and inflammation and to improve an uneven skin tone. This treatment is typically recommended for those with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, a subtype of rosacea characterized by persistent facial redness.
Benefits of Rosacea Laser Treatment
Rosacea laser treatment is non-invasive and convenient, as treatment sessions are relatively fast, performed in an outpatient setting, and produce no downtime.
Other benefits of rosacea laser treatment:
- Few treatment sessions are needed. Most patients need between one and three sessions to achieve desired results.
- Treatment is highly effective. Laser treatment reduces visible rosacea-induced blood vessels by 50% to 75% in most patients.
- Results are long-lasting. Results of laser therapy typically last an average of three to five years.
- Side effects are minimal and temporary. Some patients experience a rash that goes away within two weeks of treatment. Side effects of laser therapy are usually only temporary compared with those produced by medications.
A skincare specialist can recommend the best laser treatment for rosacea based on its type and symptoms. Topical agents and oral antibiotics may be used to reduce symptoms of rosacea in cases in which the condition does not respond to laser therapy.
North Shore Med Spa offers a wide range of aesthetic services, including microdermabrasion and photofacials. Contact us today at (516) 441-5110 to request a consultation and learn more about rosacea and vein treatment.