Critique in Rosacea Treatment for 2008 July 2008 – Avoid Paraben Preservatives in Rosacea Treatment New in Rosacea Treatment for 2008 Melbourne Dermatology's Rosacea Treatment Clinic have revised their discussion of rosacea cleansers and repackaged some rosacea skincare products to greatly reduce their already low preservative content. For further information, see: http://www.rosacea-treatment-clinic.com/Cleansers.html

Rosacea Laser: IPL – PhotoDerm / Vasculight

The Photoderm and Vasculight rosacea lasers deliver what is generically known as IPL (intense pulsed light) to the skin. IPL is a relatively safe medical skin lasering procedure. It works by heating enlarged or broken capillaries to the point of destruction. As blood can no longer circulate, it ceases to color the capillaries.

However some people will react negatively to this kind of laser and find their rosacea is worse after treatment than before. Because the laser penetrates every skin layer (beyond the dermis and into the hypodermis, where the blood vessels are located) there is the potential for long-term damage and permanently worsened rosacea symptoms.

Newer IPL rosacea laser devices are more specific at targetting broken capillaries and are therefore less likely to do untoward harm. Earlier rosacea treatment lasers were less selective about what they destroyed. Being extremely expensive pieces of equipment, many of these are still in use today.

It's also worth considering the aging effect of removing too many capillaries through lasering. Blood supply means everything to the long-term well-being of skin and Photoderm/Vasculight rosacea lasers can produce some epidermal necrosis by destroying the capillaries – the skin's normal means of obtaining nutrients.

For this reason capillaries should be prepared well in advance through the use of rosacea skin care customized to the needs of the patient. Generic preparations are largely inadequate. This minimizes the amount of laser required (lowering the cost of the procedure) and better protect the skin's longevity.

It can also be worth thoroughly checking the credentials and "before/after" pictures of the specialist you visit. Today, laser units of all descriptions are widely available and can fall into hands which perhaps aren't as experienced as they might be.

As a general rule, don't have laser treatment performed by anyone who:

you don't feel comfortable with;
hasn't heard all of your questions;
hasn't performed a large number of procedures;
is a beauty therapist;

Or:

before you are fully prepared for the commitment.

The number of rosacea laser sessions required varies from person to person. Three is a minimum number and would cost around $600 (US) / $900 (Australian) including professional consultation fees. A burning sensation on treated areas is normal both during and after a session. Typical symptoms include bruising, discoloration and scabbing.

You'll have to wait around four months after the last session to know just how effective this rosacea treatment has been.

Melbourne Dermatology (Australia/USA/UK/Canada) has a regularly updated laser resurfacing subsection and additional featuring studies, articles, information on broken capillaries (see the broken capillaries section on this site too) and pre/post laser management of hyperpigmentation.

Rosacea Treatment and Advice Resource

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Rosacea Laser: IPL – PhotoDerm / Vasculight

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