Laser & Light Treatments for Rosacea

Many patients attempt to reduce rosacea flare-ups by avoiding their triggers, using a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, and implementing skincare regimen of gentle products.

Additionally, symptoms can be treated with topical and oral medications.

However, for some patients these measures do not effectively control and improve their rosacea.

Fortunately, there are a variety of lasers and light-based therapies that cannot cure rosacea, but will provide relief from the redness, acne, and vessels.

What Is Rosacea?

There are multiple forms of rosacea that are characterized by different symptoms. Patients with rosacea may experience diffuse redness on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin.

Additionally, visible blood vessels, acne-like breakouts, thickening of the skin, and inflammation of the eyes are other signs of this skin condition.

While scientists are unsure exactly what causes rosacea, genetics, immune system responses, and intestinal bacteria are some factors that have been linked to its occurrence.

How Can Lasers and Light-Based Therapies Improve Rosacea?

Vascular lasers and light-based therapies are able to eliminate visible blood vessels, reduce diffuse redness, and smooth thick skin.

Depending on the patient’s chief concern, certain devices are more effective than others.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses a broad-spectrum light to decrease diffuse redness of the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin.

It operates at a wavelength that targets and is absorbed by hemoglobin.

Additionally, Pulsed dye lasers such as V-Beam can destroy broken blood vessels (telangiectasia) experienced by many patients with rosacea.

An Erbium or CO2 laser can create a wound healing effect that stimulates collagen and softens thickened skin on the nose (rhinoplyma).

Recovery and Results

Immediately after treatment, patients may note mild redness, swelling, sensitivity, and itching that resolves in a few days.

Most patients typically require three-to-four treatments spaced four-to-six weeks apart. For rhinophyma, one session with an Erbium or CO2 laser is usually sufficient.

While these lasers and light-based therapies can only treat existing redness, vessels, and thickening, results usually last several years.

However, it is not uncommon for patients to require touch-up treatments to target new rosacea symptoms.

To learn more about laser and light-based therapies for rosacea, please call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Eliot Battle

CEO & Founder at Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Dr. Eliot Battle, CEO of Cultura Dermatology, is a global leader in cosmetic dermatology and laser innovation. His Harvard research pioneered “color-blind” lasers, making treatments safe for all skin tones. A sought-after expert featured in TIME, Oprah, and The New York Times, he continues to advance inclusive, cutting-edge dermatological care.