Rosacea is a condition that can not be curable but it is generally controllable by using effective treatments on a regular basics. The type of treatment needed differs depending on the form and how severe the case might be. In this article we will discuss the benefits of using laser treatments for reducing the severity of rosacea’s most common symptoms: redness and a general inflammation of the face and neck.

If its determined that a patients needs require laser treatments, the use of a cleared laser might be the best thing. However, the doctor might recommend other things such as isotretinoin, or photodynamic therapy. While these might not heal or take the symptoms of rosacea away forever, it will have results that are long-lasting and the patient could be in remission for either years or months to come.

Currently, many patients are finding success using the intense pulsed light (IPL) laser treatment in order to help with the redness. IPL treatments also help with a noticeable reduction of visible blood vessels located on the chest, neck, and face. This type laser is considered to be safe for the majority of people with rosacea, resulting in improvements to skin sensitivity and overall skin complexion, over the long course of treatments.

Most patients usually feel a slight discomfort with the laser procedure but they can still endure it by using creams that are topical anesthetic and ice packs. It can take around three to about six weeks for recovery and the sun should always be avoided because the skin will be very sensitive during this time period while healing.

The physician should go over any and all benefits and risks before doing it. Photodynamic therapy is used and combined so that the results are noticeable. When this is done it uses Levulan which is a chemical that is activated by the light. It takes around almost one hour and a half to complete this part of the procedure. Sunburns usually appear after it is done but not severe burns, just moderate. This procedure is mainly done with people that have acne vulgaris, or pre-cancers but it can be used to help people that have Rosacea. To some extent, it is usually considered off-label for that kind of use because its mainly for pimples but they have found it does work with people suffering from that and so it is taken into consideration.

What laser treatment options are available?

The two most popular laser treatment options are known as:

• Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

This type of procedure is used to treat the persistent redness and dilated blood vessels of the skin, as well as the thickening of the nose and cheeks, that can manifest as part of Rosacea

How much do they cost? How many do I need?

For laser and IPL laser treatment, sessions runs from $300 to $600 apiece.

Effective laser therapy often takes up to 3 treatment sessions, which are spread out apart 6 to 8 weeks.

IPL treatment usually requires an additional 1-2 sessions but are spaced apart every 3 weeks.

It is often necessary to engage in lifelong follow-up treatments as well in order to keep flareups down.

How do these lasers work, exactly?

The laser will emit tiny wavelengths of light which target the blood vessels right below the skin. The heat from this energy is collected in the vessels, and disintegrates them. This is done because swelling of the blood vessels is partially what creates the redness of the face.

Lasers are also used to stop the building up of extra tissue that can create a largeness in the nose and checks.

One thing to note is that these laser technologies will usually cause a temporary bruising of the skin on the face. There are new technologies which do not cause the bruising, however they do not work as well as the others. The bruises last 1 to 2 weeks and then fade away.

Will they cure my Rosacea?

There is unfortunately no straight cure, only treatments, for Rosacea. Virtually all individuals who get Pulse Dye Laser or Intense Pulse Light treatment for Rosacea see some form of improvement. How much depends on many things – your skin type, how advanced Rosacea is, if you’ve been treating it beforehand, and of course, the skill and experience of the doctor performing the laser work!