Rosacea Treatment

Rosacea can interrupt your life by stripping you of your confidence and self-esteem, and keeping you from feeling comfortable in your own skin. According to the National Rosacea Society, nearly 14 million Americans suffer from chronic rosacea; unfortunately, only a small percentage of them have actively sought treatment. If you are struggling with the embarrassing symptoms associated with rosacea, skin care solutions—including topical products and laser treatment—are out there, ready to help. Get the facts on rosacea symptoms and treatment and stop hiding your skin today!

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that tends to first appear around age 30, though “prerosacea” has been identified in people in their teens and early 20s. There are many symptoms associated with rosacea; without treatment, these symptoms can worsen intensely.

There are four subtypes of rosacea, grouped according to a wide range of symptoms and levels of severity. However, there are some common indicators that link them all. Some of the early indicators of rosacea are consistent blushing or flushing of the face, ears, neck, and chest. The most common symptoms of rosacea are chronic facial redness, burning, itching, edema (swelling), bumps and pimples, and telangiectasia (spider veins). In extreme cases, rosacea can cause a thickening and disfiguring of the skin, often leading to a condition called rhinophyma, a distinctively “bulbous” nose.

Rosacea can also occur in and/or around the eyes, a form of the disorder known as ocular rosacea; symptoms of ocular rosacea are watery, bloodshot, and stye-prone eyes. If you think you might have ocular rosacea, contact a doctor immediately; if left unchecked, it can cause damage to the cornea or even blindness.

Treating Rosacea

Although rosacea is not a curable disorder, it is possible to diminish and even eliminate its symptoms. Treating rosacea depends upon the particular needs of the individual patient and form of the condition. Rosacea treatments range from topical skin care products to laser intervention. Below are explanations of the three primary treatment options for this skin condition.

Rosacea Skin Care Products – Topical Treatment

Rosacea skin care products aim to manage rosacea once the disorder is already under control. In 1989, the first topical treatment specific to rosacea was approved by the FDA. Metronidazole is manufactured under several different names, including Metrogel®, Metrocream® and Metrolotion®, and Noritate®. Another rosacea-specific topical product is Rosacea-LTD III™, a mixture of zinc oxide, polyethylene glycol, manganesium sterate, iron oxide, sodium chloride, and sulfur.

Dermatologists might also prescribe other topical rosacea skin care products containing a sulfuric or azaleic acid, as well as gentle cleansers and moisturizers. For more information on topical rosacea treatment, visit our professional skin care products page.

Non-Ablative Rosacea Treatment

Non-ablative rosacea treatments are non-surgical, laser-free procedures that can significantly improve the texture and appearance of your skin. Although non-ablative skin treatments aren’t necessarily rosacea-specific, they can be successful in enhancing and repairing damaged complexions, even reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Three excellent non-ablative procedures that can be used for treating rosacea are microdermabrasion, IPL™ Photorejuvenation, and chemical peels.

Microdermabrasion is a dermatological technique used to repair and refresh facial skin that is blemished by acne, aging, rosacea, and more. After spraying or spreading a mixture of fine crystals across the face, the doctor gently polishes the skin. Finally, the face is cleansed, revealing fresher, clearer skin.

IPL™ Photorejuvenation is an easy and effective method of reducing the symptoms of rosacea, hyperpigmentation, sun exposure, and many other types of skin damage. Intense pulses of light are emitted onto the skin, penetrating into the deepest layers and stimulating the constriction of collagen and blood vessels.

Chemical peels use ­ various formulas of phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) to refine and refinish the skin by removing damaged outer layers. The formulas are customized to suit the patient’s particular skin care needs, and can be very effective in treating rosacea by improving facial redness and edema.

Rosacea Laser Treatment

Perhaps the most powerful method of treating rosacea is through a laser procedure. Laser surgery is used to remove deep scarring and skin damage, repair telangiectasia, and refinish the skin to diminish redness and swelling. One of the most common rosacea laser treatment options is laser resurfacing.

Laser resurfacing uses an intense laser to remove damaged skin layer by layer. One of the benefits of rosacea laser treatment is that it can be used on the entire face or just specific target areas.

Acne and Rosacea

While acne and rosacea do not automatically beget one another, the two skin conditions often appear together. Unfortunately, acne vulgaris and rosacea require two different kinds of treatment. Rosacea is a disorder afflicting the great vascular network of the face, whereas acne is related to the oil glands and can affect skin all over the body. If you have acne and rosacea, it is important to consult with a medical professional about your skin care, as treatments for one individual condition may worsen the other.

Find a Skin Care Professional Through DocShop

Stop hiding your rosacea and start healing your skin. You deserve the best possible dermatological care, and DocShop’s national directory of medical professionals can help. Locate a skilled cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist in your area to get even more information on rosacea skin care products and laser treatment options.