What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that mainly affects the facial area for adults in their 30s or older. The cause of rosacea is currently unconfirmed, but genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors such as H.Pylori bacteria all play a role in the development of rosacea.
Unfortunately, rosacea is commonly misdiagnosed as adult acne, so we recommend you see a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis in order to better understand your skin. The good news is that we offer a free consultation and patch test at our clinics to make sure that you are suitable for Laser or IPL treatments to manage rosacea.
Rosacea has a broad spectrum of conditions, so we have classified them into the 3 most common subtypes:
- Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea – Redness, flushing and visible blood vessels
- Papulopustular rosacea – Redness, swelling and acne-like breakouts
- Phymatous rosacea – Skin thickens and skin texture becomes bumpy
How to prevent rosacea flare ups?
Rosacea flare ups occur when a certain trigger causes blood vessels in the face to dilate. Triggers vary from person to person, so it’s important to understand what your personal triggers are and how to manage them.
Here are a few of the most common triggers that people have reported and how to avoid them:
Reduce sun exposure
Sun exposure is one of the most common causes for rosacea flare ups. To protect sensitive skin when going outside, it is especially important to wear a broad spectrum, silicone-free sunscreen with SPF30+. When looking to buy sunscreen, make sure that it is fragrance free and look out for the active ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium oxide as those are most suitable for sensitive skin types. We recommend that you wear sunscreen daily, as UV rays can penetrate through clouds even when it is not sunny outside.
You can also seek shade, wear protective clothes and sunglasses with UV protection to reduce sun exposure and protect against UV rays.
Use gentle skincare products
Most rosacea patients report dry and sensitive skin, when in reality the skin isn’t actually dry but rather the sensation is caused by microinflammation in the skin. Many off-the-shelf skincare products are unsuitable for rosacea patients, so we strongly advise that you use products that are made specially for those with sensitive skin.
Here are a few active ingredients that have been known to cause irritation and you should avoid when buying skincare products:
- Alcohol
- Menthol
- Camphor
- Fragrance
- Glycolic and Lactic acid
- Sodium Laurel surface (which is often found in shampoo)
- Avoid lipid rich moisturisers
Furthermore, you should be especially gentle when cleansing the face and should avoid excessively scrubbing the skin. Use a microfiber cloth for gentle cleansing or a gentle cleansing pad, avoid rough bristles and harsh exfoliators, both chemical and physical.
Protecting your face against the wind and cold
Windburn and cold air is known to cause flare ups in rosacea patients. You can protect your face by covering it using a silk or acrylic scarf, or even a simple face covering, but avoid using wool or other rough fabrics as they can also trigger flare ups.
Reduce alcohol intake
When it comes to alcohol related flare ups, red wine might be the biggest culprit. To reduce the effects of alcohol, have a glass of water in between drinks and avoid excessive drinking.
Avoid overheating
By planning ahead of your day, you can avoid flare ups caused by overheating.
Here are a few tips that you can follow:
- Stay away for fireplaces, heaters and other heat sources
- If you feel overheated, you can drape a cold wet towel around the neck, drink a cold beverage or move to a cool area with a fan or air conditioning.
- Take cool baths and showers.
Common myths surrounding rosacea
Rosacea is caused by poor hygiene
Rosacea has nothing to do with skin hygiene, but rather is an inflammatory condition within the pilosebaceous glands. Using harsh exfoliating skin care products can irritate the skin and cause rosacea flare ups, so we recommend using gentle products made for sensitive skin.
There is a cure for Rosacea
Unfortunately there is no cure out there (yet) for rosacea, however there are several ways to manage the condition, and with proper treatment patients often see a significant reduction in redness and formation of acneiform lesions.
Rosacea is contagious
Rosacea is not infectious, so you cannot contract it by being in contact with someone who has rosacea. It runs in the family and even though it can affect all age ranges and ethnicities, it is most commonly seen in Caucasian, more specifically Celtic, Northern and Eastern European descendants.
What treatments do we provide for rosacea? Laser Treatment for Rosacea London
Harmony XL Pro: IPL Rosacea
This treatment uses IPL (Intense Pulse Light) and AFT (Advanced Fluorescent Technology) to provide a longer-term reduction of vascular rosacea. 3-6 treatments are typically needed with a month in between each treatment.
IPL is able to target and heat the haemoglobin for veins and redness. It damages superficial blood vessels reducing facial redness, whilst also allowing for an increased production of collagen and elastin to improve skin tone.
M22: Lumenis IPL
Lumenis IPL works in a very similar way to Harmony XL Pro by using IPL to target the haemoglobin in superficial blood vessels, IPL is able to heat and damage these blood vessels which allows for reduced facial redness.
What’s different is that M22 allows for skin types 1-5, whilst Harmony XL pro only accommodates for skin types 1-3.
An added benefit is that IPL aids in the removal of H.pylori bacteria, which has been linked to the causes of acne.
How effective are IPL treatments for Rosacea?
IPL treatments for rosacea have been thoroughly researched, and multiple studies show that IPL significantly helps with the management of rosacea symptoms.
One study of 32 patients of skin types 1-3 underwent 1-7 treatments of IPL. Following the treatment: 83% of patients had reduced redness, 75% noted reduced flushing and improved skin texture, and 64% noted fewer acneiform breakouts.
Dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams has found over the many years she has treated rosacea that the most effective treatment was a combination of low dose oral antibiotics and IPL. Moreover, it is vital that you follow a proper rosacea skin care regime to optimise your skin preparation and recovery period.
How long do results last for?
The longevity of results are very much lifestyle based; to maintain results for a long period of time, it is essential to follow a rosacea focused skincare regime, which includes wearing a broad-spectrum, non-silicone SPF 30+ sunscreen, as well as doing your best to avoid triggers that cause rosacea flare-ups.
What are the side effects and risks involved in these treatments?
There is very minimal risk and low downtime for IPL. You may experience some redness which will subside within 48 hours. It is also important to note that blood vessels may look darker post treatment, and may take 3-4 weeks for the treated blood vessels to dissipate from the body via the lymphatic system.
How much does it cost?
Harmony XL Pro: IPL Rosacea
- Full face ( 1 session) – £200
- Full face ( 3 sessions) – £500
- Full face ( 6sessions) – £1440
- Full face + Neck ( 1 session) – £400
- Full face + Neck ( 3 session) – £1080
- Full face + Neck ( 6 session) – £1920
Lumenis M22
- Full face ( 1 session) – £350
- Full face ( 3session) – £945
- Full face ( 6 session) – £1750
- Full face + Neck ( 1 session) – £450
- Full face + Neck ( 1 session) – £1215
- Full face + Neck ( 1 session) – £2250
Talk to a medical expert to create a custom Rosacea treatment plan for you!