How to treat Rosacea

Laser Vascular Laser 2

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterised by redness on the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, neck, chest, or ears that may come and go. Often it appears after the age of 30 in people with fair skin, and with time, the redness may become ruddier. Visible blood vessels, bumps and pimples may develop, and in severe cases sufferers’ noses may grow swollen and bumpy, while their eyes can also appear watery or bloodshot. The cause of rosacea is unknown.

Southern Cosmetics’ rosacea specialist, Dr Jenny Kimmins, said rosacea could have a massive impact on the confidence levels of sufferers. “The problem with rosacea is that because of the redness and the fact that it can get progressively worse as you get older, it becomes very difficult to cover,” she said. “It becomes very socially embarrassing, and so then people avoid drinking when they go out, they avoid exercise because they stay flushed for so long afterwards, and it has a big effect on their self-esteem. As well as the redness, sufferers can look a bit pimply as well, and when you’re in your 40s and 50s, the last thing you want to do is walk around with pimples.”

A solution is in sight

While there is no cure for rosacea, the good news is Southern Cosmetics offers a range of effective, safe treatment options to reduce facial redness, remove visible blood vessels and target the symptoms of rosacea. In fact, rosacea is the NUMBER 1 condition treated by the cosmetic physicians at Southern Cosmetics. “We’ve seen very impressive results, particularly with the Laser Genesis – that’s the mainstay of treatment,” Dr Kimmins said. “We often combine Laser Genesis with medical-grade skin care and other treatments, and we can also do individual vascular treatments if required.”

Laser Genesis

Southern Cosmetics’ revolutionary Laser Genesis machine effectively treats excessive redness, flushing and excess sebum production present in rosacea sufferers. By gently heating the upper dermis well below the skin’s surface, Laser Genesis stimulates collagen regrowth, while additional heat is generated in dilated capillaries to reduce redness. There is little or no downtime after treatments, and no anaesthetic is required. After treatment, there may be a slight redness, which usually disappears within hours. Three to six treatments are usually required, four weeks apart.

Vascular Laser

Southern Cosmetics’ vascular laser treats both tiny superficial facial veins and deeper vascular lesions. The benefit is that unwanted imperfections such as blood vessels around the nose, face and on the chest can be targeted. During the treatment, the vessels absorb the laser light and are sealed, without any harm to the surrounding tissue. The treatment may cause slight reddening and localised swelling for up to 24 hours, but bruising or blistering is rare. Three to six treatments are usually recommended, depending on the number of vessels or the severity of the redness.

Medical-Grade Skin Care

If you suffer from rosacea, it is extremely important to make sure the products you use at home are suitable for your skin. Rosacea may be aggravated by certain cosmetics and skin care products, particularly those containing alcohol and topical steroids. Southern Cosmetics stock a range of medical-grade skin care products that won’t aggravate rosacea, and the staff are only too happy to provide advice about which brands may be most suitable.

When you are cleansing, it’s best to use a mild, non-abrasive cleanser, rinse with lukewarm water and dry your face gently. Using skin care with anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera, arnica, provitamin B5, and zinc may be helpful. Retinol and Retinaldehyde are less irritating forms of retinoid and are better tolerated by those with sensitive skin. Be sure to use a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun, and keep in mind that physical sunblock agents with

titanium dioxide or zinc oxide tend to irritate skin less than chemical sunscreens. Our Osmosis and Synergie ranges have some great rosacea-friendly options, so please ask us for advice the next time you’re in the clinic!

We also sell mineral make-up to help you cover the symptoms of rosacea, without aggravating your skin. For example, our Jane Iredale Glowtime foundation range is popular with rosacea sufferers, as it contains calming ingredients and doesn’t tent to exacerbate the condition.

Book your consultation today!

Rosacea can be a confidence-destroying condition, but we can help reduce the appearance of symptoms and restore your self-esteem. We tailor our rosacea treatments to the needs of each individual patient, so please give us a call to arrange a consultation, and we will create a customised treatment plan to help get your rosacea under control!

Southern Cosmetics

324 Bluff Road, Sandringham
P: 03 9533 1100
E: [email protected]