Rosacea Laser Treatment

Will It Work for Your Sensitive Skin?

Rosacea laser treatment offers many impressive benefits but will it work for your sensitive skin? Learns the pros and cons, and how to make the best possible rosacea treatment options.

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder which affects millions of people between the ages of 30 and 60. It is sadly a very common skin problem which as of yet has no known cure. One out of every five dermatology patients diagnosed with rosacea, and yet MOST people with rosacea don't even know they have it.

Rosacea symptoms may start around age 25 with some blushing, flushing or redness of the face. More severe symptoms of rosacea can appear later on, such as small red bumps which look very much like acne.

In the most severe cases of rosacea, the skin becomes permanently red and thickened. Rosacea can affect the skin of the nose and cause it to become enlarged and red. This tends to happen more in men, even though women develop rosacea more often.

Rosacea also can develop in the eyes, which is called ocular rosacea. Symptoms include redness of the eyes, tearing, itching, burning, and the feeling that you have grit in your eye. If you have symptoms of ocular rosacea, this may affect your vision so please get see a doctor right away.

Early Treatment Helps Rosacea

If you think you may have rosacea, the time to address it is now! Don't wait and see what happens. Although it is not life threatening, untreated rosacea can develop into permanent redness on the face and thickening of the skin.

Even though there is no known cure for rosacea, early treatment, healthy nutritional and lifestyle adjustments, and the use of non-toxic hypoallergenic skin care products can prevent it from getting worse.

Many people are able to reverse or eliminate the symptoms by using this kind of holistic approach that will help your skin and your whole body to stop the cycle of inflammation and redness.

Medical Rosacea Treatments

Your doctor or dermatologist will start your rosacea treatment with medications such as antibiotics and topical creams. Most often they will give you instructions on how to find your "rosacea triggers".

Rosacea triggers are foods, substances or conditions that usually cause an outbreak of rosacea. Some common triggers are:

• Excessively hot, cold or windy conditions
• Hot drinks
• Spicy foods
• Sun exposure
• Cigarettes
• Allergy producing foods like wheat, eggs, dairy products, chocolate
• Overly acidic foods like tomatoes, oranges, red meat, refined flours and sugar
• Irritating chemicals in skin care products, personal care product or household products. Please see our safe cosmetics for information on how to avoid these chemicals.

I recommend that you supplement all medical rosacea treatments with a healthy, whole foods diet, and by using safe skin care products. Eliminating toxic foods and toxic chemicals in your skincare can go a long way towards helping your body and your skin to heal!

I can't tell you how many people who have seen their skin problems improve from small, simple changes like this.

Sometimes your medical rosacea treatments don't help, even with a healthy diet. If you can't get your rosacea under control, your doctor may recommend laser treatment.

What is Rosacea Laser Treatment?

Treatment of rosacea with lasers has been used since the 1980's to help severe cases of rosacea which manifest symptoms like permanently reddened skin, spider veins, thickened skin and red bumps. New technologies are being developed all the time which maximize the benefits of laser treatment and minimize the risks.

Laser treatment in some cases can have an almost miraculous effect on your appearance. Reddened and thickened skin gets lighter and the spider veins disappear! At the same time, these treatments have risks and side effects, and they do not work in all cases. If you have sensitive skin, always be VERY cautious about any new treatment, educate yourself and work with a qualified doctor or health care practitioner.

How do Rosacea Laser Treatments Work?

Rosacea laser treatments can be very effective for some people with severe or advance rosacea. They work by emitting light waves which penetrate to the layer of skin where the swollen blood vessels are. These swollen vessels cause the redness and spider veins of rosacea, and the laser actually disintegrates them. As the skin heals, the face will bruise, but then after this the skin returns to a healthier appearance.

Some of the newer forms of rosacea laser treatment use a laser-like light which has many of the benefits of laser therapy, without the bruising effects. These therapies, called Intense Pulsed Light, need more frequent treatments and may be somewhat less effective than laser treatments.

Side Effects of Rosacea Laser Treatment

Because laser treatment is a more intense, invasive, and expensive rosacea treatment, it is best to FIRST try all other rosacea treatment options such as rosacea home remedies, stress reduction, avoiding triggers, rosacea medications or herbal remedies and a rosacea diet.

New research suggested that Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes Chinese herbs and acupuncture, may be able to provide significant relief for rosacea patients without the cost and side effects associated with rosacea laser treatment. A comprehensive and holistic approach to rosacea treatment can help your whole body to look and feel healthier.

Rosacea laser treatment does have risks. Some of the possible side effects include:

• Swelling and redness for several days
• Bruising which may last one to two weeks
• Temporary darkening of the skin
• Sometimes the laser treatment does not work and you don't see any results
• In some cases rosacea laser treatment will actually make your rosacea worse

Options for Rosacea Laser Treatment

There are generally two different options for rosacea laser treatment.

• Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) uses traditional laser technology, and most treatments involve up to three sessions spaced out six to eight weeks apart.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses a laser like light and these treatments generally require four to six sessions every three weeks. These do not bruise the face, and there is some evidence to suggest that these treatments are less effective.

There are new laser and light technologies being developed all the time that are attempting to maximize the results of laser treatment without the risks and side effects. Some of the newer high energy, long pulse duration PDL's are demonstrating more promising results with less bruising and side effects.

Additional Considerations to Keep in Mind

Rosacea laser treatments are usually not covered by medical insurance. Sessions can cost anywhere for $300 to $600 each. Laser treatments are not a rosacea cure, and so you may need follow up treatment.

Your choice of doctor can make a huge difference in the results of your laser treatment for rosacea. It is VERY important that you choose a doctor who is experienced with using lasers specifically for treatment of rosacea. A doctor who is not experienced with treating rosacea can create a white patch on your face if he or she does not know how to use the laser properly to create an even skin tone on your face.

When you are choosing a doctor for your rosacea laser treatment, make absolutely sure that they answer all of your questions satisfactorily. Also, be sure that you have a good intuitive feeling about your doctor. If you don't absolutely trust them, go elsewhere until you really feel right about the doctor who is going to treat your rosacea.

If you have sensitive skin, rosacea laser treatment may be an effective option for you if your rosacea is severe, and if all other treatment options, including a rosacea diet, rosacea home remedies, and Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture have provided no relief. For best results, choose an excellent doctor who is skilled at treating rosacea and who can manage your sensitive skin.

Natural Rosacea Treatment Options

Many rosacea sufferers have found long term relief from their rosacea using natural treatment methods. One of my favorite books on this subject is Rodacea No More which provides a detailed, 75 page natural treatment program that also includes some very useful tips for dealing with the embarrassment of rosacea, and for stopping those facial flushing episdoes before they start, even when you are working out or at the gym!

Free eBook to Help Clear Your Rosacea
Symptoms Naturally

My FREE eBook How to Clear ANY Skin Problem Naturally WITHOUT Expensive Creams or Endless Doctor Visits contains a simple, five step program that is designed to clear up most chronic skin problems naturally and safely.