Rosacea is a common skin condition with no known cause or cure—however, avoiding triggers and getting certain treatments can reduce flare-ups. VIDA Aesthetic Medicine offers BBL to target fine blood vessels for more evenly toned skin, and it can be used just about anywhere including the hands and face. However, before booking your BBL consultation, let’s take a look at what exactly rosacea is, who it commonly affects, and what else you need to know about it.
Rosacea is most commonly diagnosed in those with fairer skin, typically between the ages of 30 – 60. However, this may also be because mild cases of rosacea are simply more noticeable in fair-skinned people. This condition most often presents on the face but can technically be found just about anywhere on the body. Nobody really knows why rosacea tends to occur more in those of European descent, but studies indicate that it may be tied to an inflammatory reaction to bacteria, the vascular system, and exposure to UV rays. There is also a genetic component to rosacea, so if your parents or siblings have it, you are at a greater risk of developing it, too.
Rosacea Trigger Warning
If you’ve had rosacea for any amount of time, you know that avoiding your unique triggers is key. These triggers may change throughout your life. It is common for rosacea to be misdiagnosed as an infection or acne, especially since it can come and go quite quickly. In fact, the “classic” rosacea presentation looks quite a bit like acne! Some of the most common triggers include alcohol, sunlight, and spicy foods. Being in extreme temperatures (cold or hot) can also trigger flare-ups, as can quickly change from one extreme to another.
If you have “typical” rosacea, you may be prescribed oral antibiotics to get rid of the red bumps. However, there are many types of rosacea presentations, and different kinds might be better addressed with other approaches. Redness and flushing are other common presentations, and can be found in every type of rosacea. Some types, such as the erythematotelangiectatic, is “just” redness/flushing where you can see blood vessels but there are no acne-like bumps. This type can be especially difficult to treat, but does usually do well with laser treatment.
Rosacea: On the Nose
There’s a type of rosacea, rhinophymatous, that affects the nose. It causes the nose to slowly get bigger and the glands to become very prominent. A bulbous appearance eventually emerges. When you have this type of rosacea, it’s important to start treatment quickly and aggressively—if this does not happen, surgery may be necessary. Even though rosacea is an inflammation and not an infection, minimizing the bacteria on the skin’s surface can be helpful in keeping inflammation in check.
There’s even a kind of rosacea that affects the eyes, ocular rosacea. It initially might just look like red-ringed eyelids or you may mistake it for eye irritation. Many times, this type of rosacea is misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis (pink eye). Both oral and topical medications to treat rosacea are required, and for this rare type of condition, it’s important to seek a consultation with an ophthalmologist.
How We Treat Rosacea
At VIDA, we have BBL to treat the most common kinds of rosacea. IPL, BBL, and Forever Young BBL have all proven to be excellent options for rosacea. Although these treatments are usually used to kick-start collagen production and used as an age-reversal tool, they are also wonderful for rosacea since they eliminate pigmentated areas—including those caused by rosacea.
When you get IPL, BBL, or Forever Young BBL (all iterations of the same technology, though BBL is the most advanced), your treatment will be customized for you. This means that settings are individualized to achieve the results you want and deserve. Plus, since treatments are reviewed by Dr. Glen Jarosz, our medical director, you know that you’re in the best of hands.
Are you ready to get your rosacea under control? Consultations at VIDA are always complimentary. Simply call the office today to book yours, or complete the online form for the fastest response.
