Rosacea Laser Treatment in London

It is unknown what causes rosacea, but some factors can cause symptoms to worsen. Common triggers for rosacea include alcohol, spicy food, hot drinks, sunlight, very hot or cold temperatures, aerobic exercise, and stress.

The most common symptoms of rosacea are redness and sensitivity across the facial skin. Other symptoms include dryness, swelling, yellow/orange patches, sore eyelids, crusty eyelashes, and thickened skin, particularly around the nose.

There are four main stages of rosacea:
Pre-Rosacea – Patients experience blushing and increased redness in temporary bouts that are caused by a particular trigger, e.g., aerobic exercise, certain foods.
Mild Rosacea – Facial redness lasts longer after a trigger is over as blood vessels remain open. This typically lasts 30 minutes or more. Some structural damage may also be visible at this stage.
Moderate Rosacea – Bouts of increased redness persist longer than the presence of a trigger for days and even weeks. Patients may also experience swelling, inflammatory papules, or pustules. Blood vessels at this stage can show different levels of structural damage.
Severe Rosacea – A few rosacea patients can progress to the most severe form, with serious, intense bouts of facial flushing, significant inflammation and swelling, pain, and burning around the face. Widespread damage to the blood vessels can be observed at this stage.

There are four common types of rosacea:

1. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea – Presents as persistent redness on the face as small blood vessels become larger and more visible. Symptoms typically flare up and then disappear. Without any treatment, redness can become more persistent, cover more skin, and become permanent.

2. Papulopustular Rosacea – Associated with whiteheads (pus-filled blemishes) and red, swollen lumps, typically appearing on the cheeks, chin, and forehead. Redness and flushing may also be present.

3. Phymatous Rosacea – Causes skin thickening and scarring, leaving bumps, swelling, and discolouration. This is a rare form of rosacea, resulting in a bulbous nose, and appears more frequently in men.

4. Ocular Rosacea – Affects the eyes, causing a bloodshot and watery appearance and an irritated or burning sensation. This can cause cysts to develop on the eyelids and lead to dry, sensitive eyes.

Although you can’t prevent rosacea from developing, you can reduce the frequency of flare-ups by avoiding triggers. These include exposure to sunlight, stress, strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures, hot drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.

Yes, drinking water can help to improve a wide range of skin conditions, including rosacea. Poor hydration can cause the skin to dry out, causing discomfort. Drinking cool or iced water can also help to prevent overheating, which can be a trigger for rosacea.

Rosacea can run in families, meaning many people who have rosacea have family members with the same skin irritation. It is, therefore, possible to inherit genes for rosacea.

Untreated rosacea can become more prominent in appearance, with long-lasting episodes resulting in permanent skin redness. Spider veins can also develop on the cheeks, and some patients may develop breakouts of acne.

Rosacea is not usually dangerous. However, rosacea that affects your eyes or eyelids can result in vision loss in more severe cases. Overall, many patients find rosacea to cause discomfort, meaning that pursuing treatment to manage the condition is preferable.

Laser treatments utilise heat energy to effectively reduce the redness and prominence of vascular damage associated with rosacea. Rosacea laser treatments using the Fotona Dynamic laser are fast and painless, producing dramatic results that are long-lasting, making it a popular choice for our patients.

Each session of rosacea laser treatment typically takes between 45-60 minutes to complete, depending on the number and size of the area(s) requiring treatment.

For the first few hours after treatment, you may experience some redness. However, this will gradually subside, and you will be able to notice a substantial reduction in your rosacea. With each additional treatment, you will also see clearer, less reactive skin.

The results achieved from rosacea laser treatment are long-lasting but not permanent. As rosacea is not curable, it can instead be well managed with regular maintenance treatments every 6-12 months. In addition, we will also provide skincare advice to further minimise your symptoms of rosacea.