Rosacea is a common skin disease that causes redness and swelling in the central face. Rosacea may begin as a tendency to blush easily, and then progress to become persistent redness, usually in the central face and nose area. The signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe -- at first the condition comes and goes, then persistent redness remains with enlarged small blood vessels and noticeable capillaries, and at times small pimples or pustules will form in the inflamed area. Sometimes rosacea is confused with adult acne because these inflammatory pustules look like acne lesions. The bumps and pustules are caused by overgrowth of microorganisms in the inflamed areas of the skin.
Treatment Options
Even though rosacea is a chronic disorder, it can be managed well by many treatment methods.
Sometimes treatment is as easy as avoiding common triggers that aggravate the blushing and flushing. Prescription cleansers, creams or lotions that decrease the inflammation and microorganisms may be helpful to control rosacea. Sometimes, oral antibiotics are needed to control breakouts.
There are also treatments for the red appearance of rosacea.
V-Beam Laser Treatment
The newest treatment for the persistent redness and noticeable blood vessels of rosacea is the V-Beam (pulsed-dye) laser. This laser is designed to deliver an intense but gentle burst of laser light to the skin. The laser light is specifically absorbed by the blood vessels near the surface of the skin. These blood vessels are gently heated and coagulated and then reabsorbed by the body during the natural healing process. This treatment is very safe (the same laser is used to treat birthmarks in infants), and well tolerated. The V-Beam’s dynamic cooling device (DCD) sprays a cooling mist onto the skin before each laser pulse, increasing the comfort.
Early Recognition of Rosacea
The key to successful management of rosacea is early diagnosis and treatment. Rosacea can be treated and controlled if medical advice is sought in the early stages. When left untreated, will get worse and may be more difficult to treat. If you think that you may have rosacea, please contact us for an evaluation. A treatment regimen will be tailored to your unique skin qualities.
Rosacea Triggers
The best prevention for rosacea flare-ups is avoiding things that make the face stay red or flushed. It’s also important to eliminate factors that cause skin irritation.
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