Rosacia & Facial Blood Vessels
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a common condition managed by dermatologists, and ideally by a dermatological laser surgeon. Rosacea can manifest in many ways, and sometimes in combination:
1. Red face-telangiectatic rosacea:
These are really areas with visibly enlarged capillaries (telangiectasia). Individuals may also experience easy blushing and flushing and burning and itching sensations. Rosacea such as this tends to particularly involve the central cheeks, nose, chin and lower central forehead.
2. Papular Rosacea:
This represents a combination of pimples, lumps and pustules. It can quite often be seen in combination with red face-telangiectatic rosacea.
3. Ocular Rosacea:
The most common complaint is one of dryness of the eyes and presents most often with papular rosacea as well.
4. Rhinophyma:
This is a sub-set of rosacea where there is significant over-growth of the oil glands that occur on the nose. Not only can it cause disfigurement, but it can also significantly impair one's breathing.
The cause of rosacea is not known, but triggering factors for flushing are known to worsen rosacea. Triggers vary from person to person and can include alcohol consumption, sunburn, spicy foods and hot drinks.
What is the Treatment of Rosacea?
Treatment varies depending on the presentation, but it is important to identify the trigger factors in patients. One can only stress the necessity to use sunscreens and moisturizers.
Red face with broken blood vessels is managed with a good skincare regime, and with a combination of vascular lasers. At the Skin Specialist Centre we have several laser systems which are based on the individual needs of the patients. Our lasers include the Cynosure Cynergy pulse dye laser, which can be used in multiple function and which is a combination of pulse dye laser in conjunction with Nd:Yag, and the Laserscope Gemini which is a combined long pulse Nd:Yag and frequency-doubled KTP 532nm laser.
Papular Rosacea -topical creams have been used, but usually systemic antibiotics are required for management of this on a long-term basis.
Ocular Rosacea is usually managed with systemic antibiotics as well.
Rhinophyma can be managed by a combination of CO2 lasers, Fraxel laser or alternatively by non-laser treatment where there is cauterization and shaving of the skin.
Gemini KTP laser - Broken Capillaries, Redness of the Chest, Face and Neck
Gemini KTP laser - Broken Capillaries, Redness of the Chest, Face and Neck
The Gemini KTP laser emits two different wavelengths - 532nm and 1064nm. The laser wavelength is attracted to a particular target (red/brown), but not attracted to normal skin and is therefore very specific in its treatment. The 532nm wavelength is targeted to treating broken capillaries and rosacea. The 1064nm wavelength is targeted to treating facial veins and venous lakes. The Gemini is considered to be more efficacious in the treatment of facial broken blood vessels than the pulse dye laser.
Find out more >>Cynergy PDL/Nd:YAG Multiplex Laser - Broken Capillaries, Redness of the Face Neck and Chest
Cynergy PDL/Nd:YAG Multiplex Laser - Broken Capillaries, Redness of the Face Neck and Chest
The Cynergy treats vascular lesions with unsurpassed efficacy and minimal side-effects. This is because of the multiplex technology which enables the sequential emission of two wavelengths from the same delivery system - a high-powered pulse dye laser and a 1064 long pulse Nd:YAG laser.
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