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What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic, waxing/waning, somewhat progressive bothersome facial condition characterized by redness (tiny dilated blood vessels), flushing, pimples, and sometimes, skin thickening as well as other symptoms and signs, including eye or lid irritation.
If treatment with medications is not satisfactory or lasting remission or possible cure is desired, we have been able to achieve impressive, long-lasting and satisfying results with a series of Broad Band Light Photofacials (aka Photofacial-BBL).
Peri-oral dermatitis is a variant of rosacea that characteristically affects the skin areas of the lower face, around the mouth area.
Rhinophyma is another more rare variant of rosacea characterized by a thickening of the skin of the nose, and sometimes adjacent cheeks, that can become very large and disfiguring.
Treatment is by a combination of careful surgical sculpting, laser and or electrosurgery.
Rhinophyma treatment is an area of specialty of our award winning Dr. Robert Strimling, MD.
Very experienced and well trained in rhinophyma treatment, Dr. Strimling’s expert skills and careful attention to detail is why so many of our patients report very high levels of satisfaction.
This patient suffered for years with rosacea and telangiectasias that were unresponsive to all medications. Ecstatic with his new face, he still checks in with us periodically and continues to be free of Rosacea.
What causes Rosacea?
Although the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, neurovascular dysregulation, immune system dysfunction, environmental factors, and hereditary traits variably contribute to cause or flares. Overgrowth of normal skin inhabitant demodex mites may also be a factor. Rosacea is not due to poor hygiene and is not contagious.
Although rosacea can affect anyone, rosacea is more common in those over 30 years of age, fair-skinned individuals, females and those who smoke or have a family history of rosacea.
Rosacea is usually not curable, but controllable with treatment.
Possible rosacea triggers vary by individual and include:
- Hot or spicy foods or drinks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Sun or wind
- Heat or temperature extremes (hot baths, showers or saunas)
- Vigorous exercise or sweating
- Anxiety or Stress
- Medications that dilate blood vessels
- Some “irritating” cosmetic, skin or hair care products
How is Rosacea treated?
Avoid any rosacea triggers that cause your rosacea to flare. Wear an SPF 30 or higher facial sunscreen as needed. Use skin care and hair care products that are fragrance-free, dye-free and sensitive skin recommended. Also, use a gentle/mild moisturizing hypoallergenic soap-free cleanser as needed.
Possible medications for rosacea include topical medications (e.g. antibiotics, ivermectin, vasoconstrictors and/or azelaic acid) and / or oral medications (e.g. antibiotics or isotretinoin).
Adjunct in-office photofacial treatments are also helpful.
Expect gradual improvement within 4 to 6 weeks after starting treatment, but allow up to 8-12 weeks to significantly clear rosacea. Maintenance therapy is usually recommended thereafter for an extended length of time or permanently.
The treatment of rosacea, in particular, can be highly complex and often requires dual laser and medications for best results. Our Sciton BBL / Laser device is unique among IPL devices in that it allows independent adjustment of energy, pulse duration, spot size, surface cooling temperature and treatment rate, which allows our experienced cosmetic laser dermatologists the best possibility of achieving outstanding results for you.
Call us today to find out more about how to treat and possibly, stop or cure your rosacea.
Contact us at info@strimderm.com or call us at (702) 243-6400 to schedule a personalized rosacea evaluation consultation with one of our experienced dermatology providers.