5 Things to Know about Laser Treatment For Rosacea

If you happen to struggle with rosacea, you’ll know the feeling of walking around with a flushed face all too well. While rosacea is most often chronic and recurring, there are certain treatments that can help effectively reduce redness and irritation. One of the most popular options is laser therapy. Here are five things you need to know about laser treatments for Rosacea.

What is rosacea?

For starters, let’s unpack what exactly rosacea is.

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes the blood vessels within the face to become visible. Because of this, the skin becomes red or flushed. Other symptoms of rosacea can also include small red bumps across the skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, thickening skin, and even facial swelling.

While rosacea is a chronic condition and isn’t totally curable, it isn’t a medical risk. In other words, you can be healthy and have rosacea. However, if you want to soothe the redness, there are several options available. The one we’re exploring here is laser treatment.

What causes rosacea?

Doctors and scientists aren’t able to pinpoint what exactly causes this skin condition. Even so, there are theories that rosacea can be genetically inherited and that the immune system may play a part. Researchers are still trying to find an answer, but they do know what triggers flare-ups. These include:

• Stress
• Heat
• Exercise
• Exposure to sunlight
• Hot drinks
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Spicy foods

You can read more in-depth information here, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.

Laser treatment for rosacea

So let’s get into it—treatments for rosacea used to be limited to drugs, but recently dermatologists have discovered the benefits of laser treatments.  Here are 5 things you’ll want to know before scheduling this type of treatment.

1. What are the different types of lasers for treating rosacea?

Not all lasers are created equally—there are a few different types of lasers that aim to treat rosacea, each with its own specialty.

Pulsed-dye lasers: This targets redness. Pulsed-dye lasers are ideal for targeting visible blood vessels and improving the overall redness and inflammation of the skin.

CO2 lasers: One of the most potent lasers when it comes to treating rosacea, CO2 lasers work best for treating thickened skin and parts of the face that have been enlarged due to inflammation.

Erbium YAG laser: This laser type reduces vascular lesions and can also help reduce excess tissue buildup, particularly on the nose.

IPL therapy: Although IPL is considered a light therapy treatment rather than a true laser, IPL for rosacea can tone uneven areas of the skin, reduce redness, and eliminate hyperpigmentation.

2. Is it effective and how effective is it?

The good news is most patients report outstanding results, specifically when it comes to reducing redness and visible blood vessels. Studies show that within one to three laser treatments, most patients see between a 50% to a 75% reduction in symptoms.

3. How long do the results last?

We know that rosacea is chronic, so there’s always a big possibility that flare-ups will enevitably return. But lasers have been able to successfully keep symptoms under control with results typically lasting between three to five years.

4. What are the side effects of laser treatment for rosacea?

As with any type of treatment, there’s always a possibility of experiencing side effects. However, with lasers, side effects are generally mild and temporary. You can expect to experience things such as a rash, redness, itching, or skin tightening within the two weeks following your laser treatment.

5. How much does it cost?

Lasers aren’t the least expensive treatment out there, but splurging a little to achieve clearer skin might just be worth it. The cost of laser treatment for rosacea can differ depending on the severity of your symptoms and where you choose to go for the treatment—but you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 to $700 dollars per session.

Laser treatment near me

Say hello to smoother and clearer skin by booking a laser treatment for rosacea! Download the Booksy mobile app for iOS or Android or simply use Booksy on the web to discover licensed laser therapy technicians near you.

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