Rosacea Laser Therapy
If you have the common skin condition known as rosacea, you are familiar with the way your face constantly appears red and flushed. When rosacea is extreme, sometimes, patches of small bumps also appear and may cause you to feel self-conscious about your features. While there are many treatments that can affect rosacea, laser and light therapies are among the newest.
At Senté, we want to explore which types of laser therapy for rosacea may be effective and how you can use your skincare routine to maximize these effects. Learn more about laser redness removal from our experts today.
Types of Rosacea Laser Therapy
Laser redness removal targets the symptoms of redness for people who have rosacea. Treatments aim to reduce the appearance of redness, as well as thickening skin and recurring patches of visible blood cells. Some of the most popular types of laser therapy for rosacea include:
- Pulse-Dye Laser
- Erbium YAG Laser
- CO2 Lasers
- IPL
Explore the main features of each type of laser therapy to determine if it may work for you.
Pulse-Dye Laser
Also known as V Beam and Cynosure, this type of laser treatment uses light that’s pulsed at a specific wavelength to penetrate visible blood vessels and vascular lesions. Dyes change the colors of the laser beams and help to reduce the appearance of inflammation and redness. When the laser is absorbed into the skin, the energy is transformed into heat that kills diseased cells.
Erbium YAG Laser
This type of rosacea laser therapy is used on everything from acne and visible blood vessels to mild facial wrinkles, sun damage, and vascular birthmarks. The solid-state laser emits infrared light and hits the skin with high-energy light to destroy damaged skin cells.
CO2 Lasers
Also called ablative lasers, CO2 lasers can reshape your nose and other parts of your face that have been enlarged or scarred due to inflamed tissue. Dermatologists can use this type of laser to help rhinophyma, thickened, puffy shapes caused by rosacea. This laser works by removing a minimal layer of skin without heat damage to resurface it.
IPL
Unlike laser therapy, IPL is more similar to light therapy. It uses an intense pulse of light to target multiple areas of discoloration. With the power of several wavelengths used at the same time, IPL can reduce the appearance of redness, remove unwanted pigment, and even your skin’s tone.
Benefits of Rosacea Laser Therapy
There is a lot of evidence that light and laser therapy treatments work very well on most rosacea symptoms. Because all these treatments collapse the visible red blood cells in your skin, they’re an effective and mostly painless way to treat the condition. In addition to improving redness, laser redness removal also improves the texture of the skin.
The American Academy of Dermatologists has found that laser treatments can minimize up to 75% of rosacea symptoms after just one treatment and that treatments can last for up to five years. However, some people require multiple sessions, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
Side Effects of Laser Treatments
Besides some slight pain during the treatment, people most often experience lingering redness that fades after a couple of weeks. A few other common side effects may include:
- Itchiness
- Rash
- Tight Skin
All of these side effects are temporary, and you can expect them to fade after a few days. In rare cases, the lasers may cause minor burns. If you experience these, reach out to your doctor right away.
Rosacea Laser Therapy + Better Skincare
Just because your laser redness removal treatments were effective doesn’t mean you’re done with skincare. Keep your skin tone even and your face rejuvenated when you augment your existing skincare routine with products specifically designed to target redness.
With soothing active ingredients, Senté offers plenty of rosacea-friendly skincare solutions, including:
This lineup of powerful, medical-grade skincare increases hydration, promotes repair from within, reduces irritation, and bolsters protection from the sun to keep your skin as healthy as possible.
Is Rosacea Laser Therapy for You?
So far, studies show that laser treatments are effective, long-lasting, and mostly pain-free. If you’re considering these therapies, talk to your dermatologist about the best option for your rosacea. While there’s no cure for rosacea, the results of a laser treatment could help you improve your self-confidence with minimal yearly maintenance.
There are some people who should not get laser therapy for their rosacea and must continue to rely on skincare and medication to minimize their symptoms. Ask your dermatologist if you qualify for rosacea laser therapy today.
