How It Works!
This laser treatment, using the advance VBeam Perfecta pulsed dye laser, attacks the redness that bothers you, with no long term side effects, like bruising or swelling. A series of treatments is usually required to significantly reduce your rosacea. Rosacea is a common inflammatory disorder that has three stages of development. In its initial stages, rosacea manifests itself as generalized redness and a tendency for flushing. The vascular component of rosacea usually worsens in later stages, leading to the appearance of individual vessels and telangiectasia (tiny veins) on the median areas of the face. In its worse stages, papules and pustules can appear, followed by tissue hypertrophy, which in its worse cases can lead to what is known as “W. C. Fields’ nose”.
All of the area is treated with the laser. Generally, a 10 mm distance gauge will be used for your treatment. The amount of laser energy (Joules) used is generally set at 7.5, will the pulse duration (the amount of time the laser is on your skin) is programmed for 3-6 ms. The laser cools your skin automatically with a burst of cryogen milliseconds before the laser hits the redness. It is typical that you will need a series of treatments, each one spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Why our laser is the best:
When it comes to treating anything having to do with red veins, a pulse dye laser is the equipment to use. Our laser is quite simply the fastest, most effective pulse dye laser on the market. We are able to be more aggressive in attacking the unsightly red veins or red patches without leading to bruising or other contraindications like hyper pigmentation, hypo pigmentation, swelling, or scarring.
- Shave the area to be treated the day prior to your laser treatment is recommended.
- Avoid being in the sun without sunscreen on the area(s) you’re having treated for seven days prior to your treatment.
- Don’t use Retin A on the area(s) to be treated for seven days prior to your treatment.
- Finally, if you are using Accutane, please let us know prior to scheduling your appointment.
During the Treatment:
If you’ve never been to our office before, you’ll have some paperwork to complete, including a medical history, skin type chart, and laser consent form.
This takes just a few minutes. Once our technician has reviewed your history and has answered all your questions, we’ll escort you to the laser room.
You’ll need to take clothing off any area we’re treating. We’ll ensure there is no hair present on the area(s) we’re treating, then wipe the area to be
treated with a wash cloth or baby wipe. We’ll calibrate the laser for your procedure, then you and the technician will don the appropriate safety
goggles. Let the zapping begin!
Length of Time for the Treatment:
A typical treatment on your face will take about 15 minutes.
After the Treatment:
After a laser treatment for rosacea reduction, the treated area will usually look a little flush, like you’ve just come off the tennis court with a victory. The area
treated may be brighter in color or bruised. Your skin will be sensitive to the sun, so you’ll apply sunscreen before you leave our office. We have sunscreen
for your use, so don’t worry about bringing in your own (though you can if you want). We also apply a product called Vitaclude, manufactured by Sanitas,
which is like Neosporin for a laser treatment. It is part of a post-laser kit which we recommend you purchase, particularly if you get a treatment on your
face. It contains a sensitive skin cleanser (your skin is sensitive now), as well as two moisturizers that are designed to help facilitate the healing.
You will be able to go about your life after the treatment, and you can shower, apply makeup, etc. In other words, there’s no down time after a rosacea
treatment.
