Questions You Should Ask About Rosacea Laser Treatment

Lasers are becoming more and more popular as treatment tools for a variety of conditions. One of the difficult conditions for which lasers are now used for is rosacea. Here are some answers to common questions that you should ask about rosacea laser treatment.

What is laser treatment for rosacea?

Lasers can now be used to treat the symptoms of rosacea. Lasers can be safely used to reduce the blushing effect of the condition. It is however, a treatment that is more often used for treating thickened skin, visible vessels and swelling nose that are characteristic of more advanced cases of rosacea.

How does it work?

There are different kinds of lasers that can be used for rosacea. Your doctor will pick the one that will best fit your condition. Probably the most popular type of laser is the pulsed dye laser. The light wavelengths produced by the laser are directed at the vessels on the face. This results in the elimination of the redness-causing vessels.

Other patients may have more serious conditions. They may already have swollen noses and thickened skins. In such cases, the CO2 laser is used to shape the affected area. Other lasers that can be used for rosacea are erbium YAG laser, diode laser and the KTP laser.

Can it be used with other treatments?

Doctors typically recommend that patients continue taking other rosacea medications. These may include antibiotics and topical treatments. These medications will help support the effects of laser treatment. Continued avoidance of possible triggers is also recommended.

How long will the treatment take?

The duration of a patient’s treatment will depend on the severity of his specific condition. On the average, a patient may have to go through at least three treatments spread through four months and a half. Individuals can expect to see visible results a few weeks after treatment.

Are there side effects?

Laser treatment is generally safe especially if your doctor is an expert. Minimal side effects however should still be expected. There may be some bruising that will eventually heal after more or less a week. The skin may also initially swell and become red but will return to normal after one or two days. Infections and scarring are rare but they can happen.

Can it cure rosacea?

Laser treatment may provide good results that will last for a long time but the treatment itself is not a cure for rosacea. There is no cure yet for the condition. You may have to return for more laser treatment for succeeding outbreaks. You would also have to keep on taking other prescribed treatment and self-care options.

Can anyone choose to have it?

Not everyone can be a candidate for rosacea laser treatment. Your doctor may not permit you to be treated with lasers if you are pregnant or if you have serious medical conditions like diabetes. Individuals who have tans may also not be good candidates.

All candidates for laser treatment are also supposed to have realistic expectations. Because we are all unique, the treatment may not work as well on one individual as it did on another. Skin types, conditions and individual environmental factors may influence the effectiveness of laser treatment.