Rosacea & Redness of the Face Treatment (San Francisco Bay Area)

Do you suffer from redness of the face—to the point of discomfort—and you don’t know why? If you do, you’re not alone. An estimate 16 million Americans suffer from rosacea, a skin disorder that causes skin redness . . . and many of them aren’t even aware that they have it.

Rosacea before & after (treated with the V beam laser):

Rosacea mainly affects the skin on your face, causing redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. If it goes untreated, the symptoms can become more severe, including bloodshot or watery eyes, burning or stinging sensations in the face, raised, red bumps and pus-filled, acne-like pimples, and even swelling. In very extreme cases, rhinophyma—a condition in which theskin thickens due to the growth of excess tissue, causing the nose to become bulbous and enlarged—can occur.

Dr. Rajagopal discusses laser rosacea treatments on Kron 4:

*Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person.

In addition to the physical discomfort it causes, rosacea is especially pernicious because of its psychological effects. According to surveys conducted by the National Rosacea Society, more than 76 percent of patients being treated say their self esteem and confidence have been negatively affected by their rosacea, 70 percent say it has been detrimental to their professional interactions, and 41 percent say they have cancelled social engagements or avoided interaction with people because of their condition.

If you are experiencing frequent flushing of the face, persistent redness (resembling blushing or even a sunburn), bumps and pimples resembling acne (with no blackheads), or small, visible blood vessels near the surface of your facial skin, you may have rosacea, and should call Dr. Rajagopal at (415) 392-3333 or email at info@sfcosmeticsurgery.com to schedule a consultation to assess your condition and pursue treatment.

Causes

There are various theories as to what causes this condition, but none have been conclusively proven to be true. One theory it is merely one part of a larger, more general blood vessel disorder. Other theories posit skin mites, fungus, problems of the skin’s underlying connective tissue, and even psychological factors, as possible causes.

Because it is unclear what exactly the causes of rosacea are, it is impossible to take preventative measures against its manifestation. However, doctors have identified multiple external factors that can trigger rosacea flare-ups. These triggers include: exposure to sun and wind, emotional stress, extremely hot or extremely cold weather, heavy or excessive exercise, and consumption of alcoholic or hot beverages.

Rosacea is more commonly diagnosed among women than men; men, however, tend to exhibit more severe symptoms than women. Individuals who are fair-skinned or prone to blushing could be at higher risk for developing this condition than those who are not.

Treatment

Treatments vary depending on your signs and symptoms. Sometimes doctors will prescribe oral or topical medications, but those are not always effective when the rosacea has progressed further than they are capable of helping with.

For advanced rosacea, the Vbeam laser is the best option to alleviate the symptoms of your condition. With laser surgery, the extra layers of skin that grow as a result of rosacea can be removed. This is a highly effective means of removing redness, visible blood vessels, and swelling due to excess tissue. If your rosacea has led to rhinophyma, the emergence of small red lines, or rosacea flush, laser surgery can improve upon your skin’s appearance.

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH VBEAM LASER TREATMENT?

Most people see results after three or four sessions with the Vbeam laser treatments, but this can vary depending on the type and severity of your rosacea. Each individual session can last anywhere between five minutes and an hour or more. You may experience some moderate discomfort during the procedure—most patients report a mild burning or tingling sensation—but it is not a painful treatment.

RECOVERY FROM LASER TREATMENT

There is no downtime from laser treatment of rosacea. While slightly uncomfortable, it is not painful, and you will be physically capable of returning to your daily activities immediately afterward. You will, however, likely experience some redness (for an hour or two) and some swelling (usually for around two to six hours after the procedure, but possibly for up to four days) following the laser treatment—and, in some cases, the laser can cause some bruising, called purpura. If purpura occurs,it can take up to seven days to disappear.
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Don’t spend any more of your time dreading going to work or participating in social events because you’re worried about your appearance—instead, investigate your options, and do something about it.

To learn more about rosacea laser treatment, or to schedule a consultation, please call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center at 415-392-3333. Our address is 490 Post Street, Suite 430, in downtown San Francisco.