Although there is no cure for rosacea, various medications and treatments are available to ease the symptoms. First, your dermatologist may try prescription drugs, including anti-inflammatory antibiotics and powerful acne drugs like isotretinoin. If these medications are not effective, there are other treatments available. Several light-based therapies are used at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, PC, to treat the symptoms of rosacea, and a complete skin evaluation will allow the doctor to determine which is right for you.
Schedule your consultation today to see a board-certified dermatologist at CSDERM in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, or Cañon City to talk about your rosacea treatment options:
Laser therapy for rosacea
Medical laser therapy is often used to treat rosacea, and several types of light-based treatments are currently used to treat its symptoms. The doctor may recommend medical laser therapy, Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, or a combination of the two treatments.
Vbeam® Perfecta
The Vbeam® is a pulsed dye laser that treats ‘red’ targets, including rosacea, spider veins, and other pigmentation problems. Producing an immediately visible result, Vbeam® Perfecta uses an intense yet gentle burst of light to treat abnormal blood vessels and other vascular lesions on both the face and body. No downtime or anesthesia is involved, meaning patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.
Vbeam® Perfecta treatments involve the application of intensive bursts of light to the skin in a session generally lasting thirty minutes or less. Pain is minimal, comparable to a short rubber band snap, and can be eased by cooling gel. You may experience redness, soreness, and swelling for about 12 to 24 hours after treatment and may have some sunburn-like peeling or minor bruising. It takes two to three weeks for visible blood vessels to disappear. Three to five treatments, followed by one or two maintenance treatments, are recommended.
IPL/PhotoFacial
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment is similar to laser therapy but uses multiple wavelengths of light. IPL has been found to help control rosacea’s flushing and blotchy pigmentation and reduce the need for topical antibiotics and cortisone creams. The procedure does not disrupt the skin’s surface, and no downtime is involved. Treatments are customized to the patient’s skin coloration.
Three to five initial sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes are generally required, while flushing may require maintenance sessions every three months. The laser application is described as feeling like a snapping rubber band. Numbing cream and ice are available in case of discomfort.
Vasculight®
Ideal for treating broken blood vessels in the face, the Vasculight® system combines IPL with a powerful long pulse Nd:YAG laser, allowing for a wide range of treatment settings. In addition to rosacea, this treatment is used for broken capillaries, spider veins, age spots, birthmarks, and other benign skin conditions.
Each treatment lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Mild discomfort associated with the procedure is described as a short snapping sensation; a cold gel applied pre-procedure minimizes this. Vasculight® can be adjusted to treat the type and depth of visible blood vessels and releases energy only when it reaches its target, allowing for treatment of the affected area without harming surrounding healthy tissue and thus causing minimal scarring. More than one session may be required for more extensive areas and severe cases. You may have a little redness for 3-5 days and minor bruising after treatment of particularly stubborn vessels.
More information: rosacea.org
Our dermatology clinic locations
We offer medical dermatology at four CSDERM locations:
Central Colorado Springs
170 Parkside Dr
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Phone: (719) 471-1763
North Colorado Springs
2060 Briargate Pkwy, Ste 150
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: (719) 471-1763
Pueblo
406 North Main St
Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 566-0176
Cañon City
1332 Bauer Ln
Cañon City, CO 81212
Phone: (719) 275-7485