Rosacea

Rosacea is a common skin disorder that appears as red, swollen bumps and visible blood vessels on the cheeks, nose, skin and forehead. The redness tends to become deeper in color with time and is triggered by certain foods such as hot peppers and alcohol, particularly red wine, red or black pepper, chili powder, and horseradish. Celebrities with rosacea are W.C. Fields, and Bill Clinton.

Who Is Likely To Get Rosacea and Why?

No one knows what causes rosacea or how to cure it. Some professionals believe it may be caused by climatic exposure, chemicals or ingested agents. If rosacea is left untreated, bumps and pimples can develop. In severe cases, the nose may become swollen and bumpy, like cauliflower, from excess tissue.

Rosacea is more common among fair-skin individuals, and typically those age 30 and older.

Treatment Options for Rosacea

A new treatment type called the VBeam laser is one of the most effective treatments against rosacea today. The V-Beam is a pulsed-dye laser that emits a specific wavelength helpful for treating spots on the skin comprising blood and blood vessels. Under V-Beam treatment, the blood and blood vessels heat up then coagulate, to be eventually reabsorbed by the body during healing. The device also emits a cooling spray of cryogen just before each laser pulse to decrease any discomfort the laser may cause.

V-Beam treatments take place in an office setting and last an average of 20 minutes. Many patients with rosacea require multiple V-Beam treatments — about one every six to eight weeks.

In some cases, antibiotics such as tetracycline, minocycline or erythromicin, or cleaners or creams are prescribed. Your dermatologist will most likely recommend that you apply sunscreen daily and avoid trigger foods that aggravate the condition.

What To Do After Treatment

VBeam treatment typically results in very few side effects. Some individuals experience the side effects of bruising or redness while others do not experience any side effects at all. Whatever the case, your plastic surgeon will provide you with the information you need in order to care for yourself after treatment.

If you are experiencing symptoms of rosacea, or if you would like to know more about VBeam treatment, please contact us at Dr. Michalak’s office in Issaquah in the Seattle metropolitan area. Please dial 425-391-2500 extension 7 for Genie, our cosmetic patient coordinator.