Is Rosacea Laser Treatment Safe?

Dermatologists have been using lasers since the mid-1980s for the treatment of rosacea. Today will be referred to as a growing number of lasers and a non-laser light therapy, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for treatment of rosacea are available.

Despite years of use and significant technological progress, data on the efficacy and safety of these products is limited. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies laser and light therapies, such as procedures, so severe, long-term studies are not required. Most of what is known comes from observations made by dermatologists in the treatment of individual patients.

Recently, a few studies, the effectiveness and potential side effects of the use of lasers and IPL investigated to treat rosacea. Here are the results along with some general information about these devices.

Laser
Today, lasers are used to treat these signs of rosacea to:

* Enlarged blood vessels
* Persistent redness
* Thickening of the skin on the nose and cheeks (also known as rhinophyma)

The pulsed dye laser (PDL) has been used for years to treat the flushing and visible blood vessels of rosacea too. Recently, a study looked at the impact of treatment of 16 patients with one or more of these symptoms of Rosacea - redness, persistent redness and visible blood vessels.

After only one treatment each patient in the study experienced significantly improved. With two treatments, redness, decreased by 40% to 60%. Patients also reported reductions in redness, burning, itching, dryness, swelling and tenderness, who said significant improvements in their quality of life. Side effects included crusting and dark patches of skin on the treated areas. These effects were successfully treated. All improvements were maintained from one treatment to another.

This study also showed that increases the effectiveness of pulsed dye laser, if temporarily causes bruising, which can last for 1 to 2 weeks. While bruise-free treatment to some of the newer pulsed dye lasers possible, researchers concluded that inducing bruising leads to a consistent reduction in redness and other symptoms such as burning and itching. The researchers are convinced that induce bruising enhance effectiveness. They also realize that this may not be acceptable for some patients.1

Other lasers used to treat visible blood vessels on the KTP laser, diode laser and Nd: YAG lasers. These lasers are less likely to cause bruising. Everyone is used to treat single, large, visible blood vessels. The results show that these lasers may not be effective in reducing the redness as pulsed dye laser.

In some patients with long-standing rosacea develop thickening of the skin on the nose and cheeks, which will be called Rhinophyma. The CO2 laser and Erbium: YAG laser can be used to remove the thickening of the skin and improve the contour of the nose. Other surgical interventions used to treat this condition are dermabrasion and excision with a scalpel. Treatment options can be combined to achieve best results.

Dermatologists recommend early treatment of rhinophyma prevent, treat the condition of progress and always difficult. In the advanced stage Rhinophyma can cause difficulty breathing through the nose. It is also possible that the nostrils collapse.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
A newer form of therapy using IPL is a non-laser light. The first IPL product won FDA approval in 1995 for the treatment of enlarged blood vessels in his face. Since then, several other products have been authorized. Recent studies conclude that IPL can safely and effectively reduce the following signs of rosacea in some patients:

* Enlarged blood vessels
* Persistent redness
* Flushing
* Acne-like eruptions

To investigate the safety and efficacy, four patients with enlarged blood vessels and persistent redness received five IPL treatments, which were given at three-week intervals. Patients averaged a 30% drop in blood flow, a 29% reduction in visible blood vessels, and a 21% decrease in redness.2 Since only four patients were evaluated, these numbers can not predict how people with rosacea tends to reflect . Some believe that dermatologists, IPL is more effective than these figures indicate.

Another study examined the effects of IPL treatment on the persistent redness, flushing, and breakouts associated with rosacea. In this study, 32 patients received one to seven IPL treatments. After treatment, 83% experienced reduced redness, 75% had less said flushing and improved skin texture and 64% less acne-like breakouts.3

Since the above studies suggest, IPL is not effective for everyone. Note, however, most patients had some reduction of the enlarged blood vessels and redness after only one or two treatments. Brief in a case of a patient response to a normal level decreased. IPL side effects are temporary and include redness, swelling, bruising, and skin lightening.

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Rosacea - Laser Treatment For Rosacea

is a skin condition that affects many people in the society today. It is characterized by a red face and it comes about when there is a flushing effect on the face whereby the blood capillaries and vessels become visible and the nose, cheeks and mid-face appears red. This condition can go to extremes of causing ocular rosacea which affects the eyes. The condition is however manageable courtesy of the technology known as Intense Pulsed Light commonly known as IPL. This treatment for rosacea is known to close down the large visible blood vessels that make the face appear red. Unlike the laser procedures the IPL is mild and causes no discomfort.

The popularity of this IPL treatment for rosacea has become the most sought after remedy for this skin condition. Since rosacea can cause one to be shunned, the result to an individual may be poor self esteem. To completely heal the condition and help an individual interact with others and live a happy life this is a good remedy. To facilitate this kind of treatment the rosacea patients are advised to use skin care products that protect the skin from the sun.

The Intense Pulse Light is safe and highly recommendable for patients with rosacea. Since it is FDA approved the treatment is known to be authentic, effective and safe. With this treatment the patients feel satisfied outside and on the inside. The way you look affects the way you react to people and feel. The restoration of ones skin health means retrieving of joy as well.

The different healthcare centers provide IPL laser treatment differently. The procedure can be pricey but the benefits are long term and worth it. A patient with rosacea might have lost hope but after this procedure the patient feels like he or she has began a new life. Due to the somehow intense treatment nature of thee procedure a patient may be forced to take care of their skin, embark on eating a healthy diet, and exercise more often and quite drinking alcohol.

If you notice visible blood vessels on the face, pimples and acne bumps, persistent redness and facial flushing then you are probably suffering from rosacea. The rosacea condition may get worse with time especially if it is not treated in time. Any rosacea patient can qualify for the Intense Pulse Light procedure but it is important to check with your doctor before getting the treatment.

The IPL which uses a visible bright flash light uses a filter that releases a certain kind of light that is normally detected by the blood vessels and hits the skin. Once the IPL is absorbed by the vessels, these vessels are closed down. It is important to note that the procedure does not by any chance injure the normal skin. For the procedure a soothing gel is placed on the skin to provide comfort on the skin and also to offer effectiveness. No anesthetic is provided for the procedure as it may hinder the effectiveness of the treatment.

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