Is Laser Treatment Beneficial for Rosacea?

0
140

rosacea symptoms. The more severe your symptoms, the more sessions you’ll probably need. Typically, people with rosacea need anywhere from two to eight sessions spaced around 6 weeks apart for the best results.

How Effective Are Laser Treatments for Rosacea?

Laser treatments are a good alternative to the medications doctors usually prescribe for rosacea.

In one study, 50% of participants had improved symptoms after going through YAG laser treatment.

Another study showed how pulsed-dye laser therapy for rosacea was “worthwhile” for all the study’s participants. The mean score for overall improvement was 4.4 out of 5 as judged by the participants themselves and 4.3 out of 5 as assessed by close friends or family members of the participants.

A 2008 study also showed the effectiveness of intense pulsed light therapy in reducing flushing and other symptoms of rosacea. Specifically, more than 50% of improvement was observed for the vast majority of participants.

In addition to reducing redness and other symptoms, laser treatments can:

  • Ease skin irritation
  • Make your skin smoother
  • Boost collagen production in your body, which can make your skin more elastic and reduce wrinkles

Are There Risks to Using Laser Treatments?

Before you get laser treatment for rosacea, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist about:

  • Your medical history
  • Which medications you take, such as aspirin and warfarin
  • Whether you bruise easily or are sensitive to light

After getting laser treatment, you may get these common side effects:

  • Increased redness, which will fade within 2 weeks
  • Rashes
  • Itchiness
  • Skin tightness 
  • Mild bruising

Laser treatment is largely painless, although some people may have mild bruising or other symptoms listed above. If these symptoms last for more than a few days or you feel like your skin is burning after laser treatment, contact your doctor right away.