Rosacea Treatment

Austin, TX

 

 
REQUEST A CONSULTATION

 

Before and Afters


*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.

Rosacea Treatment

The providers at the Buckingham Center offer Rosacea solutions for patients in Austin and Sunset Valley, Texas. Rosacea is a somewhat mysterious skin condition that affects millions of Americans each year. Fortunately, it is often possible to improve facial redness caused by rosacea with innovative treatments at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that causes facial redness. It typically affects the cheeks, chin and often the central forehead. During a flare-up, the skin develops a flushed appearance due to an increase in blood vessels in the surface of the skin, and possibly bacteria. Redness, flushing and other rosacea symptoms are believed to be activated by heat, alcohol intake, and other factors.

There is no clear reason as to why the condition develops, but it is thought to be hereditary. Rosacea can cause an uncomfortable sensation in the affected areas. This has been described as a flushed feeling or a burning sensation. The condition can also cause social or emotional discomfort due to the reddening of the skin. If left untreated by a professional, rosacea can permanently damage the skin.

Ocular rosacea can also occur in those whose surrounding skin is affected by rosacea. The whites of the eyes are reddened with prominent blood vessels. The eyes may itch, feel dry, or water and vision can be affected.

While there is no apparent cure for rosacea, there are treatments available. In addition, patients can decrease the number of flare-ups they experience by limiting their exposure to issues that may result in a rosacea flare up.

Why Should I Undergo Treatment for Rosacea?

Those in need of rosacea treatments in Austin, Cedar Park or West Lake Hills who experience red, blue or purple tinges in their facial skin are encouraged to contact the Buckingham Center. Seeking treatment is important because if the inflammation from rosacea is allowed to continue, patients may develop rhinophyma. Rhinophyma is a term that refers to a bulbous nose that has thick, textured nasal skin.

While some lifestyle modifications (e.g., avoiding spicy foods, hot drinks and sun exposure) can help control symptoms, they may not be fully alleviated without some type of intervention.

Other skin conditions may occur alongside rosacea or independently that can also benefit from treatments for skin discoloration. Visible facial veins, known as spider veins and brown spots (e.g., liver spots or sunspots) can also be targeted during dermal therapies to restore a uniform color to the skin. Depending on the treatment, maturing skin can also be rejuvenated, creating a more youthful appearance with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Candidates

Although people of all races can develop this condition, many of the rosacea patients at the Buckingham Center in Austin, Texas, have fair skin. These fair-skinned patients have a noticeable contrast between their skin tone and the facial redness caused by rosacea. Patients who have dark skin may notice a warm sensation. However, skin color changes are typically less noticeable.

Most rosacea patients are good candidates for treatment. At the Buckingham Center, each patient receives a treatment plan that is tailored to meet his or her specific needs. A treatment plan can address both comfort and aesthetic concerns.

One of our doctors will work to establish a clear diagnosis of rosacea. Because there is no test to determine if a patient has this common skin condition, the doctor may need to rule out any other underlying causes or conditions before recommending a treatment plan. This can be accomplished through visual inspection, a health questionnaire, or further testing like blood work or imaging.

After confirming a patient’s rosacea diagnosis, the doctor reviews the patient’s health history before creating a custom-tailored treatment plan.

The Consultation for Rosacea Treatment in Austin, Texas

Patients who have been diagnosed with rosacea might be asked to send their medical records to the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery prior to their rosacea consultation in Austin, Texas.

Our doctor reviews any previous treatments, whether they were successful or not, and create a new treatment plan based on this information. Our doctors can also treat additional inflammation, like rhinophyma, which is caused by long-term rosacea.

Preparing for Rosacea Treatments in Austin, Texas

Our doctor may require specialized pre-treatment care for rosacea procedures depending on the chosen treatment plan, but will generally provide the following instructions:

  • Refrain from taking certain medications or supplements for at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure
  • Discontinue the use of certain skin care products that may further aggravate the surface of the skin or its underlying layers (e.g., retinol and salicylic acid)
  • Use an approved hygiene routine prior to the procedure; exfoliation may not be recommended for a period of time
  • Follow post-care instructions, like avoiding direct sun exposure, which is especially important for Austin-area rosacea patients

Rosacea Procedures

Depending on the specific vascular problem, treatment will often involve a series of sessions with Intense Pulsed Light, more commonly known as IPL therapy. Through a calculated wavelength of light directed at the skin, the IPL device is used with a cooling gel at the treatment site. The temperature difference spares the surface of the skin while delivering greater energy to the underlying layers of skin.

Following IPL, patients will likely experience light facial redness for 24 hours. IPL can typically cause blood vessel issues like facial veins to disappear in 3 to 6 sessions. Moderate to severe cases may require increased energy delivery and a slightly longer recovery period.

Other types of facial pigmentation, like brown spots, will often require multiple modes of therapy to ensure optimal results. For these patients, our doctors may prescribe medical-grade skin care. Our doctors use the highly recommended Skin Medica brand or Revision Skincare, both lines have specific products aimed at treating discoloration.

In some patients, professional skin care may be all that is needed to resolve certain conditions, though often a boost is necessary. Depending on the patient’s tolerance for recovery, a variety of treatments are available. The least invasive treatment is to perform either a series of IPL treatments or a series of light chemical peels targeted at the unwanted pigment. Another option may be to treat the skin with the Halo Laser.

If a more aggressive treatment is desired, a deep chemical peel or fractionated CO2 laser skin resurfacing can be performed.

While there are multiple cosmetic treatment methods available to control rosacea and restore the aesthetics of the skin, some medical solutions exist as well. For example, topical or oral medications can reduce inflammation and help alleviate symptoms. Some prescriptions may be recommended for short-term use, while physical methods like light and laser therapy provide longer relief, which can last for years.

Recovering from a Rosacea Procedure

Patients receive specific instructions following each procedure, as the aftercare recommendations can vary depending on the treatment method. Some general guidelines are:

  • Use only provided or highly recommended skincare products
  • Stay out of direct sunlight
  • Do not apply cosmetics until approved; your doctor may recommend natural or hypoallergenic ingredients
  • Avoid rosacea triggers, like eating spicy foods, consuming hot drinks, or becoming overheated
  • Use a high SPF sunscreen to protect the skin from the Austin sun and to help prevent further rosacea flare-ups

The doctor may provide an ointment or cream to use following the procedure. A cooling pack can also be applied to the skin for patient comfort. Some medications like antibiotics for rosacea or anti-inflammatories can be taken as directed.

To avoid infection, Austin, Texas, rosacea and skin rejuvenation patients should follow the prescribed hygiene protocol and avoid touching their face.

Antibacterial hand wipes and gel should be used frequently, especially following ablative laser procedures or deeper peels.

Risks and Side Effects of Rosacea Treatments

Rosacea, broken capillaries and pigmentation issues of the skin require non-invasive or minimally invasive treatment methods, which are generally performed at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas. Some of the more invasive options include the ablative CO2 laser and deep chemical peels, which remove the outer layers of skin. These treatments may require anesthesia and sedation so the patient remains comfortable throughout the procedure. Since these procedures remove the outer layers of skin, there is an increased risk of:

  • Infection
  • Discomfort
  • Burns
  • Permanent changes in skin texture
  • Allergic reaction
  • Scarring

Less intense treatments include IPL, which may cause bruising, blistering, or burns.

Medication regimens may lead to an allergic reaction or minor side effects.

Why Should a Provider at the Buckingham Center Perform My Rosacea Procedure?

Our providers specialize in performing cosmetic treatments of the face.

Although some rosacea patients seek assistance from a med spa or dermatologist, our skilled providers have the equipment and expertise necessary to help rosacea patients improve their symptoms.

Our providerS are known for their meticulous attention to detail. They also remain active in related organizations and the latest research, which ensures they can provide each patient with modern treatment methods for conditions like rosacea.

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions About Rosacea and Brown Spots

What are brown spots?

Brown spots are irregularities in the facial pigmentation resulting in discoloration of the skin. Discoloration may occur for a number of reasons including sun exposure, age and increases in estrogen levels from pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives. Rosacea cases in Austin tend to be fairly common due to high levels of sun exposure.

How is rosacea treated?

Rosacea can be treated with laser therapy, which is effective in eradicating blood vessels while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

How are brown spots treated?

Fraxel laser therapy or chemical peels are often used to reach the layers of the skin where pigmentation occurs.

What are facial spider veins?

Spider veins are a type of visible vein occurring on the face because of age and sun exposure. They are more common among individuals of northern European descent. Areas of the world that receive a substantial amount of sunlight, like Austin, Texas, may have more people affected by a skin condition like rosacea. Spider veins may be referred to as starbursts because they frequently radiate out from a central point just beneath the skin like a starburst or spider. They may also appear as many fine, separate lines, as a tree with many branches, or as a maze of veins.

How are facial spider veins treated?

While many spider veins can be treated with sclerotherapy, due to the targeted approach and their small size, the best facial spider vein treatment is laser therapy. Many different types of lasers can be used to treat spider veins, including the Broadband Light (BBL) Laser.

What is laser surgery?

Laser surgery involves using light energy to modify targeted tissues within the body. Lasers can be used in a variety of different applications including skin resurfacing, spider vein treatment, rosacea treatment, as well as for the removal of brown spots, birthmarks, skin lesions and tattoos.

This article was written by Dr. Edward D. Buckingham, MD, {About Dr. Buckingham} and edited by Dr. Scott Smith, MD {About Dr. Smith}.

Related Procedures

 

Contact Us