Rosacea

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Rosacea

Are you suffering from Rosacea?

If you have redness on the cheeks and T-zone, can see small visible blood vessels just under the skin, get spots and pimples on the face and your face reacts by flushing to certain foods, drinks and climates, you may have rosacea (pronounced row-zay-sha). It is a little known skin disorder and is a condition that cannot be cured, however it can be controlled.

Perhaps you find yourself avoiding certain triggers that make your Rosacea worse or you avoid some social situations because your Rosacea makes you feel self-conscious or embarrassed? Although Rosacea is relatively common – affecting 10% of adults – we understand that it can be a very distressing condition.

From our extensive experience, we have found that laser treatments can significantly improve the appearance of redness and thread veins caused by Rosacea.

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Rosacea Treatment Details

Treatment Info

You will be asked to keep your face as pale as possible by avoiding sun exposure before and during your course of treatment. At your first visit you can discuss the pros and cons of treatment.

A week later, the first full treatment is carried out. The whole of the affected area will be treated, except in men where the beard area is avoided. There is a feeling of heat during the treatment and your face will be redder for a short while afterwards. Cooling packs can be applied to help combat this.
You will need to wear goggles to protect your eyes from the intense light. A course of four to six treatments at three- to four-week intervals produces the best outcomes.

Improvement may continue for many weeks after the course has finished. Rosacea is a relapsing condition and, although this treatment improves the appearance, it does not cure the Rosacea. If you have active inflammatory Rosacea then this will need to be controlled with medication before you can have laser treatment.

FAQ's

What symptoms can be treated?

We treat the redness and broken veins of Rosacea with our Gentle Pro Candela Laser and or Medlite C6 Q-switched Nd:Yag laser.

These deliver an impulse of bright light to the broken vessels, causing them to heal up and fade away. People with Rosacea flush easily and develop redness, pimples, and thread veins on their cheeks, nose and forehead. It often starts in the second or third decade of life, and women are more often affected than men.

Rosacea is common, affecting perhaps 10% of adults. Because Rosacea affects the face, it can cause significant psychological problems. You may find that people assume you’ve had too much to drink, which can be distressing.

Many people with Rosacea find the rash on their face causes them embarrassment and anxiety. Some people stay well by avoiding triggers of flushing such as certain foods and beverages, sunlight and certain cosmetics. The active flare ups when spots break out are best treated with antibiotic lotions to rub on or as tablets to swallow.

The better active flare ups are controlled, the fewer thread veins are left behind. Lasers are used to help the remaining redness and broken veins.

What are the possible unwanted effects?

The flashes of bright light that are produced may damage the eyes so goggles have to be worn during the treatment. The treatment is generally well tolerated but some patients find it unpleasant. Exposure is limited to an extremely short flash of heat, with a cooling component felt immediately afterwards. A mild burning sensation can be noted for a while afterwards.

Occasionally, there is some swelling that will subside in a day or two. The beard area is avoided in men as the treatment may cause some hair loss. Bruising is unlikely with the session but if it occurs will settle in a few days. There is a chance that pigment changes may occur in the skin, leaving either dark marks (hyperpigmentation) or pale marks (hypopigmentation).

These are usually temporary and fade in one to six months. To help reduce the risk of this, it is very important that you avoid sun exposure for four weeks before your treatment and throughout the course of treatment.

Crusting and blistering may occur after the treatment, this is best left to heal undisturbed so as to reduce the risk of scarring.

It is important that you follow any aftercare instructions carefully.
The bright light is not thought to be cancer forming as it utilises visible and infra-red light that is outside the ultraviolet range that causes sunburn, skin cancer, and aging of the skin.

Can anyone have laser treatment for Rosacea?

Patients with light sensitivity should not have these light treatments. Its effects during pregnancy are unknown and it is safer to avoid the treatment when pregnant. You should not have laser treatment if you have any suntan, however mild. You should not have laser treatment whilst taking Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) or for 6 months afterwards.

What alternative treatments are available?

The inflammatory part of Rosacea causes spots, which should be treated with antibiotics, either by rubbing them on as a lotion or taking them by mouth as tablets.

If the inflammatory type of Rosacea is left untreated, it will cause more thread veins.
Other lasers can be used for treating the thread veins and these are an alternative such as IPL.

Pre & Post Treatment

Pre Treatment

Clients should avoid fake tanning and sun exposure 2 weeks before and during the entire treatment period. Before coming in for your treatment the area being treated must be shaved or depilatory cream used. If for some reason you can’t shave this area (i.e. your back), then we can shave it for you however we only do a dry shave in the clinic. You cannot wax, pluck or bleach the hair in the area being treated. Use an SPF 50+ daily and protect the treatment site from direct sun exposure.

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Post Treatment

Following treatment you may experience some redness (erythema), follicular swelling (red goosepimples) and/or heat which could last up to 12 hours, this is normal. If the reaction lasts longer than 12 hours, please contact the clinic.
Photo Rejuvenation – expected microcrusting/miloing of the skin lasting up to 2 weeks should be kept moist with the use of a bland moisturizer throughout the day. (Do not use scrubs or any exfoliating products during this phase)
In the unlikely event of blisters or scabs forming, do not pick, pop or scratch them, as this can lead to scar formation.
To prevent skin from drying use a bland moisturizer with no active ingredients for a period of 5-14 days post treatment.
If there is any discomfort, treat area in the same way you would treat sunburn. Aloe Vera gels are a good way to soothe the area post treatment, or cold compresses.
Refrain from hot showers 12 hours post treatment, luke-warm showers are preferred.
Refrain from visiting pools, spas, and ocean waters for 12 hours post treatment to prevent any adverse skin reactions
Apply high factor sunscreen daily (SPF 50+) and hat and protect the area being treated from UV exposure during the course of the treatments and for 4 weeks after. (this includes the used of sunbeds)
Fake tan should not be applied 2 weeks prior to treatment
Do not use granular scrubs for at least 2 weeks post treatment
Do not tweeze, wax or bleach the hairs in the area being treated for the course of your treatments
If underarms are treated, avoid anti-perspirant for 48 hours.

Following postoperative recommendations is crucial to the overall result of your treatments. Not following postoperative recommendations may result in unsatisfactory results or possible permanent side effects. Please advise the clinic immediately if you have an adverse skin reaction (e.g. blistering) or any concerns about your treatment.

Why Choose Us

Experienced Doctor

Dr Lindsay Watson is an experienced GP who oversees all treatments. Laser hair removal is done by Kylie, our licensed laser technician with over 7 years’ experience.

Latest Technology

We use the latest laser technology to provide more effective treatment, with less pain or downtime.

Locally Owned & Operated

Our clinic is owned and operated by Dr Watson who has been part of the local community for years.

Personalised Service

Dr Watson will discuss every aspect of your procedure with you and tailor a treatment plan to your needs.