Rosacea Treatment in Houston, TX
Rosacea is a skin condition associated with facial flushing and redness. In Texas, sun exposure can cause your blood vessels to break and become inflamed, resulting in facial redness. At Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre, the staff has found that rosacea patients can also have acne, enlarged oil glands, and visible facial blood vessels, particularly around the nose and cheeks.
The key to rosacea treatment involves reducing inflammation and redness and preventing further sun damage. Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre uses intense pulsed light (IPL) as the cornerstone of therapy. In addition, our rosacea patients need topical anti-inflammatory creams, as well as sunscreen, as part of their daily regimen.
IPL therapy offers a gentle yet effective rosacea treatment by improving the symptoms of the condition, particularly prominent blood vessels. Marina Lopez, aesthetician at the Bellezza Skin Care Clinic (a part of the Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre), uses the patented IPL FotoFacial procedure for our rosacea treatments. It offers minimal discomfort and no downtime.
The rosacea treatment at Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre has been welcomed by patients throughout Houston and surrounding regions. Hundreds of men and women from Spring, The Woodlands, and beyond have visited our office to find relief from this often-embarrassing skin condition.
Am I a Good Candidate for Rosacea Treatment?
Many men and women in the Houston area suffer from rosacea. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the skin condition affects about 14 million Americans. You are more likely to have rosacea if you are an adult between the ages of 30 and 50 and have lighter skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. However, the condition can still be a problem for children and adults of all skin and hair types.
Because rosacea causes facial swelling and redness, it can easily be confused with other skin conditions, such as sunburn or acne. It is important that you have the proper diagnosis of your ailment. Once your condition is clear, you can generally qualify for rosacea treatment. You must keep in mind, however, that IPL procedures cannot cure rosacea; they only minimize the effects.
What Is the Process for Rosacea Treatment?
Before you undergo a full rosacea treatment, your specialist may begin with a test patch to be sure that you react well to IPL. During the procedure, your skin will receive high-energy pulses of light via a small hand piece. The bright flashes close down the blood vessels and capillaries that cause flushing and a red-faced appearance. You will be given protective eyewear to wear throughout the rosacea treatment.
Your rosacea treatment will make your skin feel soft and vibrant, giving it a healthier, more youthful look. Hundreds of men and women from our Houston community have already reaped the benefits of the procedure. The Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre team looks forward to helping you take charge of your appearance with our rosacea treatment.
What are the causes of flare-ups?
The cause at this time is unknown. Doctors are beginning to think that proteins such as cytokines cause inflammation in response to the immune system overreacting. The cause at this time is unknown, but there is ongoing research about what happens in the skin during a rosacea episode. This could lead to future treatments that can stop the inflammation by helping to manage cytokines.
Some people are more likely to become affected with rosacea than others. Environment and lifestyle may be one thing to blame. Spicy and hot foods, changes in temperature, saunas, exercise, alcohol, sunlight, stress, and the use of corticosteroids are all potential triggers. Also blood pressure medications or any other pharmaceutical that opens up blood vessels could cause a flare-up.
Managing Rosacea
The easiest way to manage your rosacea is to use a sunscreen, not just in the summer but all year long. Doctors use antibiotics to help with inflammation to control rosacea symptoms. Medications such as tetracycline, metronidazole and doxycycline, are the most prescribed medical treatments. If your rosacea is really bad, a dermatologist may have you take one of the above oral medications and also prescribe you a topical medication as well. The anti-inflammatory will help get the rosacea managed and the topical treatment will help keep it under control. The topical medication Isotretinoin, which has potentially significant side effects, is prescribed in cases of very severe rosacea.
Chemical Peels for Rosacea
One of the most popular treatments for rosacea is called chemical peels. With this therapy, Dr. Perlman exposes your skin with rosacea spots to specialized acidic peels. These chemical peels will remove the old damaged layers of skin and allow new healthy skin to reveal itself. These peels also smooths out the color of your skin and reduces wrinkles and sun damage.
Of course, one of the significant benefits to treating your rosacea with chemical peels is that it is non-surgical, and there is 2 to 3 weeks recovery time which will not affect your ability to work or exercise.
Rosacea Quick Facts
Is the condition common?
A recent study found that an estimated 300 million people worldwide suffer from it so it is considered very common.
Is it like acne?
Though rosacea was once considered a form of acne — “acne rosacea” first appeared in medical literature in 1814 — today doctors know it’s a different condition altogether.
Is there a cure?
Rosacea cannot be cured completely, but can it be treated and improved medically and cosmetically.
Request Your Consultation Today with Dr. Perlman
At The Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre, Dr. Joseph Perlman offers plastic and reconstructive surgery to patients across Texas including Spring, Houston, The Woodlands, Atascocita, Conroe, Pasadena, and Baytown. Contact The Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre office today to schedule your rosacea treatment consultation!
