If you have rosacea, you know it – you see it every day when you look in the mirror. Is there any way to get rid of those red, bumpy patches you desperately try to hide?
Rosacea is a condition that occurs in a seemingly endless cycle of flare-ups and remissions. It is most common in people over age 30 and first appears as redness on the cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. Some people are unfortunate enough to also have rosacea flare-ups on their chest, scalp, ears, and neck.
To add insult to injury, leaving rosacea untreated can cause bumps and pimples to develop. In the most severe cases, rosacea causes the nose to become permanently red, swollen, and bumpy.
The Cause and Symptoms of Rosacea
People with rosacea have enlarged blood vessels in their faces. People who have fair skin and those whose faces become flushed easily have the highest risk of developing rosacea. Believe it or not, blushing is another common risk factor. Women are diagnosed with this skin condition more often, although it tends to be more severe in men.
If you suspect that you have rosacea, watch for these symptoms:
- Persistent facial redness: Redness on the face that looks like you’re blushing or that you spent too much time in the sun is an early indication of rosacea.
- Bumps and pimples: People often mistake pimples for acne and seek the wrong type of treatment. Rosacea bumps are small, solid, and red in color.
- Visible facial blood vessels: Enlarged blood vessels close to the skin’s surface may be noticeable by others.
- Eye irritation: Your eyes appear bloodshot, watery, and swollen. You may develop frequent sties. This symptom is the most serious because it can cause vision loss and damage to the cornea.
- Dry, thick skin: Your skin is drier and thicker than normal.
- Plaque: One or more raised red patches, called plaques, may appear.
- Facial swelling: Known as edema, facial swelling can appear with other symptoms or on its own.
Rosacea Treatment Options
Is there anything you can do about rosacea? Yes, there is. New laser technology and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments are giving new hope to rosacea sufferers. At Dermatology Associates, we use both to reduce—and, in some cases, eliminate—your rosacea.
The NewSurg KTP laser emits an intense beam of light to the problem area to correct the abnormal or excessive skin cell development. After your treatment session, you may feel a slight stinging sensation and notice some redness. Restrictions are minimal after treatment other than staying out of the sun for a short time. The laser light treats the pigmented area only and has no effect on the skin surrounding it. You can expect to see noticeable results ten days to two weeks after treatment with NewSurg KTP for vascular lesions like rosacea.
If you’d like to know more about what you can do about rosacea, feel free to contact Dermatology Associates today.
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Dermatology Associates offers a full spectrum of leading-edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services from offices in Savannah and Vidalia.
