Redness on the cheeks, nose, and forehead that causes flushing and blushing or can look like a sunburn that does not go away is a chronic skin condition called rosacea. When you closely examine the skin, you’ll find visible blood vessels, tiny bumps or pimples that may sting or burn.
According to a 2024 study by the National Rosacea Society, rosacea is more prevalent in Anglo-Saxons, affecting 4% of the population. In Australia, it affects 3.2% of residents. Rosacea is also common in individuals older than 16 and affects 5.46% of the world’s population.
Health Direct states that there is currently no cure for rosacea. However, there are effective treatments available that your dermatologist can perform to control the severity of symptoms. One of these is laser therapy. Laser therapies help reduce redness, reduce symptoms, minimise blood vessels, and control flushing and blushing, enabling you to enjoy healthier, clearer skin.
At Dr Refresh, we offer a specialised approach to rosacea treatment, effectively helping patients to control redness, swelling and inflammation of the skin.
Understanding Rosacea and Its Symptoms
The following are the most common symptoms of rosacea:
- Blush or noticeable redness on the face, especially on the nose, cheeks, and forehead. This blush may be transient or won’t go away.
- Redness may look like sunburn but does not peel.
- Overactive small blood vessels on the face that are visible.
- Burning bumps or pimples, which are mostly on the cheeks, chin, and nose.
- Skin becomes thicker, especially along the nose. Swelling is also present.
- Edges of the eyelids turn red, sore, and gritty.
The cause of rosacea remains unknown, but people with this skin condition may also have family members who have it. Certain environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight and eating certain foods (alcohol, hot food and drinks, and spicy foods), can trigger rosacea episodes.
In some cases, rosacea is triggered by stress, especially emotions like anger and embarrassment. Also, some people with rosacea experience attacks after exercise, using certain skin care products, hot baths, and taking certain medications such as corticosteroids.
Types of Laser for Rosacea
Pulse Dye Laser (PDL)
PDL is a type of laser treatment that can help control rosacea symptoms. It uses an organic dye in a solvent with a specific light wavelength to collapse blood vessels. It is safe for reducing redness and visible blood vessels.
BBL (Broad Band Light)
While not a laser, BBL is a widely used light treatment for rosacea. It uses non-laser light to deliver light pulses to the skin, targeting blood vessels and pigmented skin. It can help reduce redness and inflammation and enhance skin tone.
Nd:YAG Laser
Nd:YAG lasers have the best wavelength to treat vascular lesions and redness in rosacea. Nd: YAG lasers work well in deeper vascular tissues and may be combined with other therapies to improve rosacea symptoms.
Laser Treatments at Dr Refresh
Dr Refresh offers pigmentation treatments that help lighten, brighten, and smooth skin, especially for rosacea and redness, hyperpigmentation, discolouration from acne scars, sun damage, and age spots.
Depending on your diagnosis, Dr Ritu and her specialist team may combine several treatments to reduce pigmentation and redness. Methods of treatment may include:
- BBL – targets redness and pigmentation by shutting down damaged capillaries and stimulating collagen production.
- ND-Yag Vascular Laser – as mentioned, this type of laser can target deep vascular tissues, which helps improve redness in rosacea.
- Picosecond Laser – uses short laser pulses to treat rosacea, flat age spots, scars, pigmentation, and melasma. Treatments last from 15 to 20 minutes.
- Erbium and CO2 Laser Resurfacing – helps reverse the effects of sun damage and remove wrinkles and pigmentation.
Effectiveness and Expected Results
90% of patients experience improved symptoms after using the Nd-YAG laser.
Aside from redness, participants in these studies mentioned they had reduced skin irritation and smoother skin, felt their skin was more elastic, and had reduced wrinkles.
Typically, seeing the best results may take 2 to 4+ sessions. You must come in for a consultation to make a diagnosis and to determine the ideal treatment plan and to identify the type of laser therapy and session counts needed.
Treatment Expectations
Laser treatments are known to commonly have the best results. You may compare laser treatments to a rubber band snapping against your skin. Dr Ritu and the Dr Refresh team may apply a numbing cream for deeper treatments.
There is no downtime or sun sensitivity, and treatments can be performed in summer or winter. Dr Ritu and her staff will provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure the best results after laser treatment.
Possible Side Effects and Recovery
After laser treatment, you may experience increased redness. However, this may fade away within two to three hours. Other side effects include itchiness, swelling, and rarely mild bruising that goes away without treatment.
Downtime is minimal, but post-procedure care is essential to ensure healing and reduce discomfort. Follow these instructions:
- Talk to Dr Ritu about your medical history, medications you take (especially aspirin and warfarin, as these interfere with tissue healing), and if you are easily sensitive to light or bruises.
- Follow the skin care maintenance provided for you.
- Take any prescribed medications by your dermatologist.
- Apply cooling gel to ease discomfort and sunscreen to protect from UV rays.
- Inform your dermatologist about side effects, especially if they last a few days.
- Follow treatment schedules closely and come back for assessments.
Why Choose Dr Refresh for Rosacea Treatment
Dr Refresh combines expertise with passion, helping patients with rosacea manage their symptoms and regain self-confidence. Dr Ritu leads her team of specialist clinical staff in assessing patients, providing personalised care, and ensuring the highest-quality treatments for their conditions.
Do you need help managing your rosacea symptoms? Are you looking for an effective treatment to end the redness and swelling? Schedule a consultation with Dr Ritu and her specialist clinical team by calling us on (02) 8014 6505 or make an enquiry online.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many laser sessions do I need to see results?
Laser treatments for rosacea may take 2 to 4 sessions to see results.
2. Is laser treatment painful?
Treatments are very manageable, but deeper laser therapies may require topical numbing or creams.
3. Will the redness return after a few months?
Rosacea is a condition of exacerbations and remissions. Treating your blood vessels helps reduce your redness and maintain your remission. Dr Ritu will provide you with an action plan and prescription treatments if you also suffer from the “lumps and bumps” of roscaea.
4. How can I prevent rosacea flare-ups between treatments?
You can prevent flare-ups by following your action plan, avoiding sun exposure, wearing sunscreen, using only skincare products prescribed by your doctor, and avoiding triggers such as spicy foods, red wine and reducing stress.
