Rosacea Awareness Month: How IPL Can Treat The Symptoms Of Rosacea

by Donna McAteer
April 03, 2022

April is Rosacea Awareness Month to educate the public on the impact of this chronic and widespread facial condition. Rosacea is a condition that causes small, red pus-filled bumps on the face mostly affecting those with fair skin, however, even those with darker skin tones are susceptible. The earliest signs of rosacea are often overlooked as people think that they are temporary and will go away. Unfortunately, if not detected in its early stages and gone without medical treatment, the effects of rosacea often persist and become increasingly severe. IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments have been accredited with improving the appearance of rosacea and providing long-term results. If you suffer from rosacea or suspect that you do, consider IPL treatments to help improve the texture and appearance of your skin and help you feel more confident.

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Common Rosacea Symptoms

Since April is Rosacea Awareness Month, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of rosacea in order to differentiate the skin condition from others such as acne. Common symptoms of rosacea include:

Redness- Rosacea commonly causes facial redness in the middle of the face, particularly around the nose and cheeks. Small blood vessels in the nose and cheeks may begin to swell causing the red color in the skin.
Swollen, red bumps- Rosacea symptoms can be easily confused and interpreted as acne. Some of the bumps may contain pus like acne pimples, however, these bumps cause the skin to be tender and hot making it painful to the touch. Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin and a buildup of bacteria and dirt in the skin's pores causing inflammation. The cause of rosacea is unknown, however, it can be associated with an overactive immune system, environmental factors, or the condition can be hereditary. Although acne and rosacea may appear to be similar, the causes of each condition are different and therefore require different treatments to see optimal results.
Enlarged nose- Over time, rosacea can cause the skin of the nose to thicken giving it a bulbous appearance.

IPL Treatment For Rosacea

Rosacea can be effectively treated with IPL. IPL uses controlled light in specific wavelengths to alleviate the inflammation, redness, pimples, and uneven skin tone caused by the condition. The light energy used by IPL accurately targets and removes pigmented and damaged skin cells. The light heats up skin cells located within the dermis layer and breaks them down to be absorbed naturally by the body.

Before your IPL treatment, your skin will be numbed with an anaesthetic cream. You will also be required to wear eyewear to protect your eyes from the light pulses. Your skin specialist will then apply the pulses of light to the areas of concern on your skin. The feeling of the light pulses can be described as a rubber band snapping against the skin. Treatments usually take between 20-30 minutes to complete, depending on the size of the area being treated.

What To Expect After IPL Rosacea Treatment

There is no downtime required after an IPL treatment, which makes it more appealing compared to more invasive laser treatments. Patients can expect to return to their daily activities right after treatment or the following day. The treated area may be slightly red, swollen, and sensitive for a few hours, feeling similar to a sunburn. Following treatment, patients must avoid the sun to protect the skin and allow it to heal correctly. For best results, patients may need 3-6 treatment sessions spaced a month apart.

Rosacea IPL Skin Treatment Kelowna

If you are unhappy with your skin or suspect you may have rosacea, contact the Okanagan Skin Care Center. Our experienced skin care specialists will be able to assess your skin to correctly diagnose your condition and to create a treatment plan that will allow you to see optimal results in your skin. We believe that everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin, that is why we offer several treatment options for an array of skin conditions such as rosacea to give our patients the young, radiant-looking skin they deserve.

To learn more about Okanagan Skin Care Centres products and skin care treatments such as chemical peels, thermage treatments, IPL photorejuvenation treatments, and more, book a consultation with one of our skin care specialists at Okanagan Skin Care Centre in Kelowna today by calling 1-250-868-9290 or by contacting us online.

FAQ

Q: How many sessions of IPL photorejuvenation will I require to treat my rosacea?
A: The number of sessions you will require will depend on the severity of your skin condition as well as how well your skin responds to the treatment. Most patients require 3-6 IPL treatment sessions to see optimal, long-term results.

Q: How long does an IPL treatment take?
A: The length of your treatment will depend on how severe your condition is and how large the area being treated is. Treatments vary from 20-30 minutes.

Q: Are the results of IPL treatments long-term?
A: Yes, they are. After a number of sessions, you will not only notice improvements within your skin right away but also for the long term.

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Donna McAteer

Donna is the general manager and has been with the Okanagan Skin Care Centre for over 14 years. She is a certified Esthetician and previous business owner with over 20 years enjoying the skin care industry. Her passion for knowledge, integral client care and maintaining a synergistic team that represents professional excellence in skin care remains her focus.