MED SPA BLOG
IPL Photofacials Effectively Treat Rosacea Redness
Rosacea is a frustrating chronic skin condition that appears as redness, flushing and visible blood vessels on one’s face – and sometimes the neck and chest. Rosacea can also result in small, pus-filled bumps which – in addition to being unsightly – can cause discomfort, burning and stinging.
Rosacea is very common and can affect people of all ages and ethnicities. However, rosacea is most common among middle-aged Caucasian women. Unfortunately, rosacea is a bit of a medical mystery, with the exact cause still unknown. But while there exists no known cure for Rosacea, the redness and other symptoms can be effectively treated using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).
At SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, MI we have helped many patients reduce or eliminate the redness, visible blood vessels, swollen bumps, and pimples of rosacea with IPL Photofacial treatments.
How IPL Photofacial Treats Rosacea
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. IPL emits controlled pulses of light in specific wavelengths to alleviate the inflammation and redness of Rosacea.
The red hemoglobin in the blood absorbs the specific light frequency from the lasers (wavelengths from 532nm to 595 nm). This thermal energy destroys the visible capillaries (small blood vessels) that are responsible for the appearance of rosacea.
Over the next three to four weeks, the destroyed blood vessels are resorbed by the body and naturally eliminated – so facial redness diminishes. The effects of an IPL Photofacial are somewhat gradual, so patients will start to see a reduction in redness on the face within a week to 10 days. Other areas of the body that are treated with IPL Photofacial will start to show results within six to eight weeks.
Good Candidates for IPL Rosacea Treatment
Lighter skin is the most likely to be affected by rosacea. And light skinned patients are also the best candidates for IPL Rosacea Treatment. Darker skinned patients may be better candidates for Morpheus8 rosacea treatment. This is because the pigment in darker skin can attract and absorb the laser energy that is intended for the pigment in the hemoglobin.
Certain other factors can also reduce the effectiveness of IPL Photofacial treatments for rosacea. Tanned skin should not be treated with IPL for rosacea. Anemic patients also typically benefit less from IPL for rosacea, since anemic individuals have less hemoglobin present to absorb the laser light treatments.
Patients taking any type of anticoagulant, including NSAIDs or Coumadin (aka Warfarin), are not good candidates for IPL rosacea treatments because they risk microvascular hemorrhage (bleeding), or blood clotting (thrombosis).
Best Treatment for Rosacea
There are different types and manifestations of rosacea. And, as with any medical condition, different people respond better to different treatments.
IPL Photofacial rosacea therapy is most effective for people with background redness – but may be less effective for people with pus-filled pimples. Our Morpheus8 RF Microneedling may be a better treatment option for rosacea with active pustules.
The patients with rosacea that are expected to respond best to IPL rosacea treatments are those with telangiectasia (visible widened blood vessels). But while IPL reduces or eliminates background redness it does not prevent the “flushing” associated with rosacea.
Avoiding the common factors that appear to trigger flushing – sun exposure, alcohol consumption, certain foods, skin irritants, etc. – are currently recommended to reduce flushing.
IPL Rosacea Treatment | Grand Rapids
IPL Photofacials offer a gentle, effective, long-lasting solution for individuals suffering from the frustrating redness and visible veins of rosacea. IPL rosacea treatments at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids provide a gradual and natural improvement to the skin’s appearance – with no discomfort and no downtime.
We also offer state-of-the-art Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling for rosacea treatment at our Grand Rapids medical spa.
Your appointment will start with a skin examination and analysis to determine the best rosacea treatment for your skin type and condition. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your rosacea treatment options at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids – and take the first step to getting smooth, clear, beautiful skin.
IPL Rosacea Treatment | Grand Rapids: (616) 888-3890
SpaMedica GR – Grand Rapids Med Spa
APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Achieving your cosmetic goals and giving you the best possible results is our passion at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI. We offer a variety of aesthetic treatment options to help you to achieve your cosmetic goals. At SpaMedica GR it’s All About You! We are here to help you make your skin look healthy and beautiful. Call us today to book an appointment for Laser Hair Removal, Injectables, Microdermabrasion with Dermalinfusion, Skin Resurfacing & Tightening, Photofacials, Microneedling, Fat Loss, or any other treatment we offer in our Grand Rapids Med Spa. We are here to help with your aesthetic concerns and will be happy to work with you to give you a natural, youthful look with skin that you will feel great about.
SpaMedica GR
Grand Rapids Med Spa
APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Achieving your cosmetic goals and giving you the best possible results is our passion at SpaMedica GR in Grand Rapids, MI. We offer a variety of aesthetic treatment options to help you to achieve your cosmetic goals. At SpaMedica GR it’s All About You! We are here to help you make your skin look healthy and beautiful. Call us today to book an appointment for Laser Hair Removal, Injectables, Microdermabrasion with Dermalinfusion, Skin Resurfacing & Tightening, Photofacials, Microneedling, Fat Loss, or any other treatment we offer in our Grand Rapids Med Spa. We are here to help with your aesthetic concerns and will be happy to work with you to give you a natural, youthful look with skin that you will feel great about.