Recently we discussed options for rosacea, a condition with little treatment. Today we'd like to address a newer treatment that is helping rosacea patients. That is the procedure using an Intense Pulse Light to help clear the signs of rosacea.
A chronic condition, Rosacea's symptoms include facial erythema, rash-like redness, and noticeably large pimples around the nose and face. Rosacea is a condition that can affect all ages. Of the types of rosacea, one type only affects the area around and the eyes. If untreated, rosacea could worsen and can damage a person's sight, smell, and other senses.
Rosacea can be exacerbated by severe sun exposure, emotional distress, wind, exercising, alcohol, a variety of foods, and certain topical skin care products. Although rosacea breakouts can occur on the neck and torso, most breakouts are localized on the cheeks, t-zone, nose, chin, and upper lip.
There are several treatments for rosacea that are widely accepted. Most popular are topical medications that specialize in reducing redness and inflammation on the skin. Oral medications prescribed by your doctor often work faster in reducing inflammation but do little for treating redness and rash-like symptoms.
A 2011 study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information
(NCBI) tested 102 patients with Rosacea and the effect of the Intense Pulsed Light treatment. Patients, who held a variety of rosacea cases from mild to severe, were treated several times between a 1-3 week interval. Of the patients who received the IPL, 80% saw a reduction of redness and 78% improved skin texture and reduced flushing. As well, 72% reported milder and fewer acneiform breakouts. This was a great step for people with rosacea. The study concluded that "The use of IPL at specified parameters provides optimal therapy for the treatment of rosacea."
Intense Pulsed Light works by flashing a intense spectrum of light onto your skin. When treating rosacea, the light is absorbed by the targeted blood vessels thereby destroying the vessel and reducing redness.
Topical anesthesia may or may not be necessary. Eye protection is administered to protect from the intense light beams. The doctor or medical provider then administers pulsed light every few seconds onto the skin. Each pulse feels similar to fingers pinching your face. The procedure can last somewhere between 3 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the intensity of the inflammations and the size of the area.
Afterwards, the skin will be red and inflamed but often improves within days and weeks after the treatment.
Although IPL treatment for rosacea is not a final cure for the condition, it can greatly help reduce and eliminate the unsightly result of rosacea breakouts. If you have more questions about the procedure, contact Dr Dayan's team. We would be happy to help you find the location to treat your condition.
New study options available for rosacea.