Rosacea/Acne Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition of the face that gives the cheeks and nose a flushed appearance. As the condition progresses, small blood vessels and tiny pimples begin to appear on, and around, the reddened area. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can halt the progress of the condition.
Treatment
Acne Rosacea can be treated using a range of new technologies and some patients choose to combine this with medication. We have a Rosacea Specialist, Dr Peter Crouch, who has published his treatment approaches for Acne Rosacea.
Usually, we can significantly lessen the appearance of redness with 2-3 treatments over a 4-6 month period. Many patients are so delighted with the improvement that they opt to return once a year for a top up treatment to prevent any deterioration.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
We were the first clinic in the UK to receive and start using the Lumenis One. We have been using this treatment platform since Spring 2004 and are delighted with the results. We use the Lumenis One for treating acne rosacea using a triple pulse triple filter & multiple pass technique developed for use with this machine by Dr. Peter Crouch.
The process involves three separate exposures of the patient's skin to Intense Pulsed Light - each time the treatment head is rotated 90 degrees (i.e. at right angles to the previous pass). The intention is to even out the delivery of Intense Pulsed Light Energy by off-setting each pass relative tot he one before. The change of filters between each pass is intended to deliver energy at varying levels in the skin (and so to target vessels of varying diameter and at varying depth). By using multiple passes, using moderate energy levels, we hope to successfully treat as many vessels as possible whilst minimising the risk of thermal damage to the skin.
Pulse Dye Laser
The Pulse Dye Laser, or NLite, is used for cases of Acne Rosacea that do not respond well to IPL treatments.
The laser used in this way causes bruising of the blood vessels and this develops as discreet dark purple circular bruises as the treatment continues. This bruising can last for at least 7-10 days after treatment. Although this treatment can produce results where Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) alone has been unsuccessful, the evenness of the result is not generally as good as with IPL and IPL may be required to "feather" out the sharp cut off where the pulse dye laser has "punched" a hole in the redness which can otherwise leave an uneven approach.
Nd:Yag Laser
The Gemini Nd:Yag Laser is another method of laser therapy treatment for Acne Rosacea. It is applied in a similar approach to IPL with three offset passes delivered in a "painting" motion.
You can view videos of all of these treatments in our Online Media Library
Follow up and After Care
Comprehensive verbal and written advice is given at the time of treatment, however, if patients should have any additional queries, a special After-care telephone number is given to patients to call - this line operates 7 days a week / 24 hours a day and will put callers through to the clinic doctors who know you.