Though the skin condition rosacea tends to affect light-skinned women, anyone can get it. Men often develop more severe types of the disease, including rhinophyma, which is thick, reddened skin on the nose (think of the old-time comedian W.C. Fields, industrialist J. P. Morgan, and former President Bill Clinton.) You can even get rosacea if you have dark skin.
Rosacea is characterized by a ruddy (i.e., reddish) complexion or a tendency to blush easily. Though rosacea is not a physically serious disease, it tends to worsen with time if you don’t treat it and try to manage flare-ups. Psychologically, rosacea takes a toll on self-confidence:
In a survey by the National Rosacea Society, 90% of respondents said that rosacea adversely affected their self-esteem, and 51% even missed work because of an embarrassing outbreak.
The expert dermatologists and medical professionals at Specialists in Dermatology know how important clear, vibrant skin is for self-esteem and overall health, too. That’s why they offer rosacea treatments with the Vbeam pulsed dye laser (PDL) at their offices in Houston, Texas, and The Woodlands, Texas.
The Vbeam reduces redness and visible veins
The Vbeam uses a wavelength of 595 nm that targets the hemoglobin in red lesions and visible veins. The light therapy is directed to the excess pigment and doesn’t harm healthy skin. The patented, cryogen-based Dynamic Cooling Device™ keeps your skin so comfortable that you don’t even need numbing cream during your treatment.
You feel nothing more than a slight stinging sensation as your dermatologist directs the laser energy to reduce or remove:
- Skin redness
- Spider veins
- Acne-like blemishes
You can expect about a 20% reduction in redness after one treatment. Your dermatologist may recommend a series of up to three treatments to clarify your skin and completely remove visible lesions.
The Vbeam improves overall skin quality
If you notice that your skin is becoming thick and coarse, a Vbeam treatment helps with that, too. The laser’s energy creates a controlled wound-healing process in the deeper layers of your skin that stimulate your body to produce more of the building-block proteins, collagen and elastin.
The collagen-remodeling process that the Vbeam initiates takes months to complete, though you may notice a difference in skin quality after just a few weeks. Within three to six months, your skin is smoother, finer, and tighter.
Lifestyle changes help
Although Vbeam treatments clear up redness, visible veins, and rosacea pustules, they can’t cure your disease. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that recurs over time. You can minimize your risk for flare-ups by adopting lifestyle changes, including:
- Avoiding extreme temperatures
- Avoiding the sun
- Limiting spicy foods
- Limiting alcohol
- Avoiding very hot or cold beverages
Your doctors also recommend keeping a diary, so you can identify your own rosacea triggers and develop ways to minimize your exposure to them. Depending on how advanced your disease is, your dermatologist may combine VBeam with other treatments, including medical-grade skin care and medications.
To improve your rosacea with Vbeam and other therapies, contact us today by phone or use the online booking form.