Rosacea Treatment at LAB Skin Clinic, Neutral Bay, Sydney
WHAT IS ROSCEA
The content within this page has been medically approved by Dr Osanda
MBBS, AFRACMA, MCPCA.
Rosacea is a chronic relapsing skin condition that is characterised by facial redness, especially around the nose, chin, cheeks, and between the eyebrows. People with this condition are constantly flushed or have visible broken capillaries or an acne like rash on the face. Unlike Acne, this is a sterile rash with usually no causative infective agent, however antibiotics maybe used to treat papular pustular Rosacea. The skin is usually burning or stinging, and people report sensitivity to any products applied to the skin. It is a very common condition affecting 1 in 20 people…
Rosacea is most common in fair-skinned people aged 30 to 50 years. The condition often starts as an exaggerated or prolonged tendency to flush. Rosacea can cause significant emotional distress.
The cause of rosacea remains unknown. Common triggers or exacerbators of rosacea are heat, sun exposure, exercise, alcohol, irritation from topical products (eg skincare products) and topical corticosteroids often make the condition worse.
Rosacea is a common, chronic inflammation of facial skin. The symptoms can vary greatly. Doctors differentiate between the four types of rosacea, depending on the main symptoms:
- Red areas of skin on the face and sometimes small visible blood vessels (type 1)
- Bumps (papules) and pus-filled spots (pustules) (type 2)
- Thickened and bumpy skin, particularly on the nose (rhinophyma) (type 3)
- Inflamed eyes and eyelids (type 4)
It is quite common to have a mixture of different types. The treatment is based on the individual symptoms.
What are the treatment options for Roscea?
There are several treatments options for Rosacea depending on the type and severity of the presenting symptoms. A combination treatment plan consisting of topical vasoconstricting creams or antibiotic ointments maybe prescribed. Topical steroid creams should strictly be avoided as a rebound Rosacea maybe triggered that can be worse than the presenting condition.
Light based Intense Pulsed Light and/or laser therapies can be very effective at treating types 1-3.
How is Roscea treated at Lab Skin?
At LAB Skin following a consultation with our resident doctor, you may be prescribed a combination of topical or oral antibiotics for severe disease and/or a regime of light based therapy. We have a full suite of laser and IPL treatments as well as RF energy treatments available, indicated to treat all types of Rosacea. Within the consultation the doctor will also ask you about lifestyle and dietary factors.
Treatment plans comprise some or all of the following, depending upon Rosacea type:
- IPL
- Ablative Laser
- Omnilux-Medical
- Oxygen & specialised Rosacea facials
- Prescribed and over-the-counter, skin care products may be recommended that soothe, desensitise and decongest the skin.
- Sunscreen
- Identifying and avoiding triggers
Before and After Roscea Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED TO TREAT ROSACEA?
This will depend on the severity of your initial presenting symptoms, the treatment regime you will be prescribed will therefore vary and each treatment plan is bespoke, taking into consideration the severity of your disease and what you have tried in the past.
IS THERE ANY DOWN TIME TO TREAT ROSACEA
The IPL and RF energy treatment options have no downtime at all and you can expect tangible results from your very first session. Ablative fractional laser therapy for rosacea can have a downtime of up to 1 week.
DOES IT HURT TO TREAT ROSACEA
There is little to no pain associated with this treatment but if you are particularly sensitive then topical anaesthetic ointments can be used.
IS IT A SAFE TREATMENT
Yes, it is, all treatments we offer at LAB Skin are evidence based treatments relying on the latest peer reviewed research and guidelines.