People who suffer from rosacea are afflicted with skin around their nose, eyes and cheeks that is often red and irritated. Enlarged blood vessels are often visible, and acne is also usually visible. Traditional treatments for rosacea have been topical creams and medications. However, there is a new treatment available that is proving very effective for reducing the visible symptoms of rosacea. Laser therapy is the new treatment is proving to be a great new way to treat rosacea symptoms.

One of the most common laser treatments used redness associated with rosacea is the pulsated dye laser, or PDL. PDL will often significantly reduce the signs of rosacea. After just two sessions, redness will greatly be reduced, often by as much as 50%. Other symptoms reduced include flushing, burning, itching, dryness, and sensitivity. Temporary bruising is often caused by PDL treatment. Sometimes bruising can last as long as 2 weeks. Research has revealed that the bruising is actually effective in leading to a consistent decrease in overall redness as well as the other symptoms.

There are several other lasers used to reduce enlarged blood vessels. The KTP laser, diode laser and Nd:YAG laser are used to treat specifically blood vessels and are not as effective in treating redness. These lasers, however, do not cause bruising like the PDL laser does.

Some people suffering from rosacea will end up with a thickening of the skin on the nose and cheeks. This condition is called rhinoplyma. It is possible to remove the thickening skin with the CO2 laser and the erbium:YAG laser. Treatments with these lasers can also improve the contour of the nose.

Laser treatments can be a highly effective way for reducing and removing rosacea symptoms. However, it is not for everyone and not everyone has the same reaction or results. Talking to a dermatologist can determine which laser treatment is best for you.

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!