Rosacea treatments are incredibly important, due to the year-round heat. With the right treatment, you can wear shorts and t-shirts without fear of the discomfort brought about by Rosacea.
WHAT IS ROSACEA?
Rosacea is a common skin condition which, left untreated, can cause serious problems. Most people who suffer from rosacea are not aware of the condition.
Early signs of rosacea include persistent redness of the face that comes and goes, and becomes more constant over time. As the condition progresses, blood vessels can become visible, pimples may develop, and in extreme cases, swollen excess tissue forms on the nose.
Rosacea is difficult to cure, but can be reduced and controlled, and responds best when caught in its early stages.
Rosacea can affect anyone, but is most common in people who have fair skin. It is also more common in women than in men. Symptoms of rosacea include:
- Flushing/blushing for no apparent reason
- Persistent redness
- Pimples
- Sensitivity to topical applications
- Visible blood vessels
- Enlarged nose
Scientists have not yet discovered the exact cause of this condition. Some patients report specific factors that seem to cause flare ups and further aggravate the condition. While these triggers have not been well-researched, they are worth mentioning. Triggers such as heat, strenuous exercise, sun, wind, cold temperatures, spicy hot foods, alcohol, hormones, emotional stress, topical steroids, bacteria and others have been reported to aggravate rosacea prone skin.
HOW WE TREAT ROSACEA
So, who has the best rosacea treatment in Los Angeles? At RIVKIN Aesthetics, we believe we’re among the best. Common treatments for rosacea include topical gels and/or oral antibiotics, usually prescribed by a dermatologist.
The goal with these treatments is to control the condition and improve the look of the skin. It is important to note that these treatments have side effects and it can take several months for the patient to see results.
We recommend that you keep a written record of when your flare ups occur. This will help determine what is aggravating the skin. It is also a good idea to wear a physical broad spectrum sunblock of at least SPF 30 on a daily basis. Physical sunscreen (as opposed to chemical sunscreen) contains ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that actually block the UVA/UVB rays.
They tend to be gentler on the skin and therefore better for irritated or sensitive skin types. Green tinted makeup and mild moisturizers may help by temporarily concealing the condition. If the eyes are also affected, it is important to keep the eyelids clean and lubricated.
At RIVKIN Aesthetics, we use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and V Beam pulsed dye laser to treat rosacea, and have seen remarkable success in eliminating redness, flushing and visible blood vessels. IPL rosacea treatments (Photofacials) are painless and non-invasive.
Recovery time is mostly limited to one day of mild redness. The IPL device passes light through the skin that targets redness and brown spots. This gentle Photofacial should be performed in five monthly sessions for optimal results.
The V beam laser uses laser energy of a specific wavelength that targets the red capillaries without damaging the surrounding tissue. The V beam is a bit more intense – there is some redness for several days – but fewer sessions are necessary to achieve optimal results. We usually recommend three sessions of V Beam laser for most cases of rosacea.
Of course, we recommend wearing sun block daily for the duration of the treatment and continuing to do so after your rosacea is resolved in order to maintain the health of your skin.
Microbotox is another treatment option that may provide temporary relief from patients suffering from rosacea and other skin conditions such as acne or large pores. Microbotox works by targeting and relaxing the erector pilli muscles which are responsible for the sweat and oil glands.
By weakening these muscles, inflammation is inhibited and oil production is suppressed. While this is obviously not a permanent solution, it does allow the skin to rest and recover.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM
ROSACEA TREATMENT
During your initial consultation, Dr. Rivkin will evaluate your skin and explain your options in detail. You will have the opportunity to view before and after photos, so you will know what kind of results to expect.
After your treatment, Dr. Rivkin will instruct you on the best techniques to care for your skin so that your rosacea symptoms do not return, which will always include wearing a daily sun block. Rosacea and other skin pigmentation issues do tend to be chronic and therefore, may have to be dealt with on a continual basis.
Dr. Rivkin’s patients know that they can get in touch with him at any time. He is always in the office at RIVKIN Aesthetics, and is personally involved in every treatment. With continual advancements in skincare and aesthetics, we are always offering the latest procedures available to treat conditions such as acne, rosacea and melasma.
To learn more about Dr. Rivkin’s treatments for rosacea, or to schedule a consultation, contact us online or by phone today.