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Rosacea
Treatment
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that currently has no cure, but laser treatments can significantly minimize the appearance of symptoms such as redness, visible blood vessels, and acne-like bumps.
- Downtime: Minimal
- Pain Level: Minimal
- Results Duration: Long-Lasting
Treats:
Rosacea and redness
Side Effects:
Mild swelling, redness, and temporary darkening of the treatment area
Location:
Primarily used on the face
Follow Up:
Some patients require a series of treatments for optimal results
How Performed:
Laser device emits energy into the skin to reduce rosacea symptoms
Preparation:
Topical and local anesthetics are available prior to treatment
Procedure Type:
Laser
Expected Outcome:
Reduction of redness and visible blood vessels
Onset:
Full results apparent after final treatment
What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that causes chronic facial redness and visible blood vessels. Though rosacea is primarily a cosmetic concern, it tends to worsen and spread over time. Without treatment, rosacea flare-ups can diminish your self-esteem and damage your skin.
At Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania in the greater Philadelphia area on the Main Line in Devon, Jordan V. Wang, MD, MBE, MBA, and his team of board-certified dermatologists perform a wide selection of laser treatments to repair damage from rosacea, minimize the appearance of broken blood vessels, and significantly improve facial redness.
Types of Rosacea
While facial redness is a telltale sign of rosacea, it isn’t the only symptom. Symptoms vary from person to person and often depend on your subtype. There are 4 rosacea subtypes:
Subtype 1 (Facial Redness)
Also called erythematotelangiectatic rosacea, Subtype 1 symptoms include:
- Persistent redness
- Flushing
- Visible blood vessels
Subtype 2 (Small Pimples and Bumps)
Papulopustular rosacea, or Subtype 2, often develops in individuals who also have Subtype 1. Symptoms of Subtype 2 rosacea include:
- Facial redness and flushing
- Tiny pimples and bumps
Subtype 3 (Thickened Skin)
Subtype 3 rosacea, also called phymatous rosacea, is a more advanced form of the inflammatory condition that causes skin thickening. Symptoms include:
- Overall skin thickening
- Enlarged and thickened nose (rhinophyma)
- Facial redness
Subtype 4 (Irritated Eyes)
Ocular rosacea affects the eyes and can lead to vision problems without the right treatment. Signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea include:
- Red, irritated eyes
- Watery eyes
- Gritty sensation of the eyes
- Burning or stinging eyes
What makes rosacea particularly difficult to diagnose and treat is its similarities to other skin conditions, such as eczema, acne, allergic reactions, and sunburns. That’s why it’s essential to visit a board-certified dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Who is at risk of Rosacea?
Rosacea affects more than 16 million people in the U.S. alone, particularly women over the age of 30. Around 33% of individuals with rosacea are of Irish descent, but the condition is very common in all fair-skinned ethnicities, including those with Scandinavian, English, Scottish, or Eastern European heritage.
Signs of rosacea
Rosacea most commonly affects the face, but it can also develop on the neck, head, chest, and other areas of the body. The most prevalent signs of rosacea include:
- Visible blood vessels
- Redness and flushing
- Small pimples and bumps
- Stinging
- Irritated eyes
Treatments at our Devon Dermatology office for Rosacea
Since rosacea is a chronic and inflammatory condition, regular treatments are essential to keep symptoms at bay. We offer laser devices, topical treatments, and oral medications to calm redness and reduce irritation from rosacea. The most popular rosacea treatments we offer at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania are:
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
Pulsed dye lasers specifically address the blood vessels beneath the surface of your skin. These devices operate at a single high-intensity wavelength that can treat the targeted area without damaging the surrounding tissue. Pulsed dye laser treatments can significantly improve the redness of your skin and minimize the appearance of visible blood vessels with very little downtime.
Vbeam Prima®
The Vbeam Prima can effectively treat larger areas of the skin than many other types of pulsed dye lasers. The laser eliminates unwanted redness from rosacea by sending intense yet gentle bursts of energy into the treatment area. The targeted blood vessels absorb the light, which damages them enough to eliminate or reduce them. Over time, these blood vessels collapse and start to diminish in appearance. With a built-in cooling system, the Vbeam Prima can treat rosacea with minimal downtime.
Publications
Wang JV, Albornoz CA, Geronemus RG, “Cost Savings of In-Office Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment of Port-Wine Birthmarks Without General Anesthesia.” Dermatologic Surgery. 2021 Apr 30.
Rosacea Treatment
FAQ
Q: How Long Will My Laser Treatment Results Last?
A: Once your targeted blood vessels are destroyed, they cannot return. Results can last for a very long time. However, if new blood vessels appear, you may need additional treatments to maintain your clear skin.
Q: How Can I Prevent Rosacea?
A: While laser treatment effectively reduces the symptoms of rosacea, it’s not a fix-all cure. You can help minimize your risk of flare-ups by avoiding rosacea triggers, such as:
- Sun exposure
- Hot and cold weather
- Wind
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol
- Certain skin care and cosmetic products
- Humidity
- Stress
- Intense exercise
Q: Does Rosacea Cause Sensitive Skin?
A: If you have rosacea, your skin may become highly sensitive, particularly if you have fair skin. Sun exposure, makeup, skin care products, and even sunscreen can aggravate the symptoms of rosacea.
Q: If I Have Rosacea, Which Sunscreens and Cleansers Should I Use?
A: Ingredients matter far more than brands when searching for skin care products to use with rosacea. For the best results, swap products containing oxybenzone or other chemical sunscreens in favor of physical blockers, such as zinc and titanium. Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. CeraVe, Cetaphil, Neutrogena, and Eucerin can help calm redness and sensitivity with rosacea.
Visit our skin care store for a variety of medical-grade facial cleansers, sunscreen options, and more.
Q: Is There a Cure for Rosacea?
A: Unfortunately, rosacea has no cure, but laser treatments, topical creams and ointments, and avoiding triggers can dramatically reduce your symptoms.
patient approved
Trusted Worldwide
Our dermatology center in the greater Philadelphia area on the Main Line in Devon, which spans more than 8,000 square feet, is a comprehensive cosmetic and medical dermatology facility. Our board-certified dermatologists are leaders in the industry who have trained under distinguished physicians to provide our patients with cutting-edge care.
Title | Address | Description |
---|---|---|
Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania | 92 Lancaster Ave #120, Devon, PA 19333, USA | 92 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 120, Devon, PA 19333 Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 7:30pm Saturday & Sunday: September through June as needed
|
laser & skin
surgery center of Pennsylvania
Contact us
92 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 120, Devon, PA 19333
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Limited Saturdays: 8:00am - 12:00pm
(215) 309-8123
Manhattan:
92 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 120, Devon, PA 19333
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: September through June by appointment only
Southampton:
325 Meeting House Lane, Bldg. 1, Ste. C Southampton, NY 11968
Monday - Wednesday, Friday: 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Patient Visits Before 8/23:
Patient Visits After 8/23:
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