Below is helpful information about seeking medical dermatology services in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Canon City to treat Rosacea conditions:
Although there is no cure for rosacea, a variety of medications and treatments are available to ease the symptoms. First, your dermatologist may try prescriptions drugs, including anti-inflammatory antibiotics and powerful acne drugs like isotretinoin. If these medications are not effective, there are a number of other treatments available. Several light-based therapies are used at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic for treatment of the symptoms of rosacea, and a complete skin evaluation will allow the doctor to determine which is right for you.
Laser Therapy for Rosacea
Medical laser therapy is often used for rosacea, and there are several types of light-based treatments currently used to treat the symptoms of rosacea. 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, used to treat “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 involves 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 be helpful in controlling rosacea’s flushing and blotchy pigmentation, and also reduces the need for topical antibiotics and cortisone creams. The procedure does not disrupt the skin’s surface and no down-time 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. Application of the laser is described as feeling like a snapping rubber band. Numbing cream and ice are made 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, and a cold gel applied pre-procedure keeps this to a minimum. 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 affected area without harming surrounding healthy tissue and thus causing minimal scarring. For more extensive areas and severe cases, more than one session may be required. You may have a little redness for 3-5 days, and there may be minor bruising after treatment of particularly stubborn vessels.
More information about rosacea and treatment of rosacea can be found at http://www.rosacea.org/