Rosacea Treatment

Before we look at the types of Rosacea Treatments available today, it's important to understand a bit more about this condition. It is a lot more common than you may think and is actually a form of adult acne.

Although both chronic and incurable it is a skin condition that is controllable and can be medically managed very well.

Rosacea most commonly affects the centre part of the face and produces redness, tiny red lines and pimples, and even eye problems like swollen eyelids and conjunctivitis. It is sometimes mistaken for sunburn.

Rosacea Triggers

The exact cause of Rosacea is not known but it could be genetic. Triggers include stress, anxiety, embarrassment, fear, changes in the weather, alcohol, smoking, spicy foods and exercise. It is not contagious and affects about 45 million people worldwide.

Interestingly, most people who suffer from Rosacea are Caucasian with fair skin.

Before receiving Rosacea treatment your skin specialist will check to ensure it's not acne, eczema, psoriasis or even lupus. This is very important in determining the right course of treatment. If the rosacea is present on your eyelids you will also need to see an eye specialist.

Signs and Symptoms

As mentioned, there is no cure so treatment relies on controlling the signs and symptoms. This might include medications and hands-on treatment, such as laser therapy. There are medications to reduce redness and to fight the inflammation.

For those who prefer a more natural approach, there are a few alternative therapies that seem to be producing positive results. These can involve the use of raw honey, aloe vera gel and ginger.

One of the most recent treatments to be tested uses Chyrsanthellum indicum - or Wild Chrysanthemum. The flower has been shown to possess not only anti-inflammatory but also anticancer activities. Further tests show it may also protect the skin from UVB-induced skin damage.

In a placebo-controlled of 246 patients with moderate rosacea, patients applied the Chyrsanthellum indicium extract cream twice daily for 12 weeks. The overall severity of the rosacea was found to be significantly reduced in the treatment group when compared to the baseline scores and placebo.

Natural Alternatives

Another natural medication being tested is Quassia extract. Taken from the small South American tree of the same name, it contains high levels of active phytochemicals and has been shown in trials to have some success.

If you're looking for the best rosacea treatment you may wish to try laser therapy. Studies show that the treatment can substantially reduce visible blood vessels and help reduce redness. Results have been seen in as few as three sessions.

Generally referred to as LLLT - or Low-Level Laser Therapy - the procedure uses a cold laser to repair and boost skin immunity. By promoting cell renewal LLLT can reduce inflammation, redness and itching.

Photo Rejuvenation is also being used to treat rosacea. Light is transformed into heat energy to treat the affected area without harming the skin surface. Non-invasive, the therapy uses IPL (Intense Pulsed Light to target dilated blood vessels and reduce redness.

Laser Therapy and IPL

As it is 100% chemical and drug-free, with no downtime, IPL is proving both effective and popular. Skin specialists generally recommend four to six treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart. Treatment time is usually 20-30 minutes.

The advantages of this type of treatment are many. Results tend to quicker and better, there is little discomfort, it's more permanent than topical creams and there are fewer side effects than taking medication.

One of the biggest problems with rosacea is the effect created by so many broken blood vessels. In just the same way laser therapy and IPL are used to treat veins, they can quickly diminish the redness caused by rosacea.

If rosacea is causing you distress use Bookwell to find a specialist clinic in your area and arrange your first consultation.