Rosacea is a skin condition that many people have between age 30 to 50 years old. It starts out as a blush and red area near cheeks or your nose. This can worsen over time. There are several different types of rosacea and it can range from a red blush on your cheeks to a more lumpy appearing vascular areas of your face and even acne. Nobody really knows what causes this. Different theories are present and the easiest to understand is this happens in fair skinned people with a family history of rosacea. There are other theories that different bacteria on the skin is responsible, and immune system etiology, and even H. pylori present in your G.I. tract. There is no real cure for this. The skin appears to be sensitive over these areas and sun exposure may make this worse. The consensus says that using some type of gentle cleanser on your skin can help manage the condition. You should use some type of sunscreen at least 30 SPF for higher on your face to reduce worsening of the condition. Most individuals that have this condition can identify triggers that cause flares. Being mindful of what your triggers are and avoiding them can reduce the discomfort and redness that you have.
Rosacea is a cluster of blood vessels which have dilated over time and they become visible on your face. Broad-based light(BBL) treatment is effective to reduce the appearance of rosacea. The wavelength of light is used to target the blood in the vessels. This is not a one-time treatment. It is very similar to using laser for spider veins on your legs. The light source heats up the blood and scars down the vessel. With any kind a treatment like this there will be some inflammatory reaction which will be self-limiting. Usually 3 to 5 treatments are in used two to three weeks apart to get the maximal effect. Rosacea is a condition that cannot be cured. If it was in a place other than your face you might be able to ignore it. It can be effectively managed with Broad-Based Light (BBL) treatment, gentle skin cleansing, appropriate protection from the sun, and avoidance of specific triggers that make it flareup.
