Rosacea is a common long-term skin condition that causes blushing or flushing and visible blood vessels.  It mainly affects the face. It may also produce small pus-filled bumps. These signs and symptoms may flare up for weeks or months and then go away again for a while. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, other skin problems or natural ruddiness. Rosacea can affect anyone but it’s most common in middle-aged women and men. There’s no cure for rosacea but treatment can control and reduce the signs and symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of rosacea include:

When to see a Doctor: If you experience persistent symptoms of your face or eyes; it is time to see a Doctor/Dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis: Rosacea is usually a clinical diagnosis. The Doctor will use the history of your symptoms and the examination of your skin to diagnose you properly. Occasionally the Doctor may suggest a skin biopsy to rule out other skin conditions such as psoriasis or lupus. Rosacea can also be misdiagnosed as seborrheic dermatitis or an allergic contact dermatitis.

Treatment

Laser therapy: At The Adare Clinic we offer light therapy, laser treatments and thermavein for patients with rosacea.

Cutera Laser limelight: This is an IPL or intense pulsed light treatment. Light therapy involves repeat treatments to maintain improved skin appearance. It is well tolerated but patients with a low pain threshold should take some simple painkillers before the treatment. Side effects are usually minimal and include temporary redness, bruising and darkening of the skin.  It is suitable for overall redness or tiny blood vessels and improves the overall appearance of the skin. It also can improve pigmentation on the face. It is usually done in course of 6 and treatments are 1-2 weeks apart. Patients will need to book a patch test before any treatment course.

Pulsed Dye Laser: Pulsed dye laser is a vascular laser used for the more advanced rosacea and larger more visible veins especially around the nose and cheeks.  It is very well tolerated but may leave some bruising after treatment.  Usually there are 6 treatments done 2 weeks apart. Patients with more severe rosacea or those who are unable to tolerate bruising may need repeat courses for optimal results.  This treatment needs to be repeated every few years.

Laser genesis. This is a vascular (ND-Yag) laser.  It treats diffuse redness and stimulates collagen which will stabilise the blood vessels. It is relatively painless ( there is a heating sensation) and there is no downtime afterwards. This treatment is suitable for patients who cannot accept any downtime or bruising  associated with other treatments and have mild to moderate rosacea. Laser genesis is done as a course of 6 treatments, 2 weeks apart and will require ongoing maintenance sessions to keep healthy and improved skin appearance.

Cutera ND-Yag laser:  This is a vascular laser used to treat deeper more stubborn veins on the cheeks and chin that won’t respond to other treatments. It is very well tolerated.  There can be some bruising and redness post-treatment. It can be done as individual sessions or as a course of 6 treatments 2 weeks apart. This laser is suitable for patients with more advanced rosacea or larger spider veins.

Thermavein: Thermavein uses a process known as thermocoagulation which seals the thread veins walls causing them to disappear instantly. Thermavein is suitable for patients with very small superficial veins around the nose. It is well tolerated, not painful but more irritating.

Chemical peels: A chemical peel is a skin resurfacing procedure in which a solution is applied to the skin to remove the uppermost layers.

Lactic acid and Mandelic acid peels are frequently recommended for patients with very sensitive rosacea-type skin either singly or in combination.  They gently peel away dead skin cells on the surface making way for new undamaged skin cells to take their place. Lactic acid will also activate the skin’s natural moisture factor. TCA( trichloroacetic acid)  and Modified Jessner’s peels are sometimes recommended for patients with severe papulopustular rosacea. It will clear up the pustules and improve the skin’s quality and texture. It also will stimulate the production of collagen which provides long-term stability to the blood vessels.

Our fees

Our doctors are experts in the management of Skin Cancer, Melanoma, Acne, Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema), Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Lupus, Contact Dermatitis and Hair Loss. They have access to and experience with advanced treatments and technologies that offer the most up to date and best possible care.