Alliviate the RED: Rosacea treatments, symptoms, triggers, and types
As we age, we see Rosacea becoming more prevalent in the faces around us, even perhaps our own.
Perhaps this is because this skin disorder affects an estimated 2 million Canadians. That’s an outstanding figure, considering Canada is home to an estimated 35.87 million people.
ABOUT ROSACEA
Rosacea may begin in childhood as a flattering natural blush appearing on the cheeks, but may spread and progress gradually to the other areas of the face, the ears, chest, back, and eyes in adulthood. Rosacea typically develops between the ages 30 to 50. It affects more women, perhaps because our skin is thinner, but when men develop rosacea, it seems to be more severe. If left untreated and unmanaged, rosacea symptoms become more severe in time, decreasing treatment success rate. Nearly three quarters of rosacea sufferers report feelings of low self-esteem.
Rosacea appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which may include the immune system and a family history. It is unknown exactly what causes Rosacea, however, research shows that Rosacea is a chronic condition without a cure.
Like other chronic conditions, managing triggers that affect this skin disorder paired with treatment can reduce Rosacea symptoms.
SYMPTOMS OF ROSACEA
If you are dealing with Rosacea, you may experience some of the following:
Flushing
Persistent Redness
Bumps and Pimples
Visible Blood Vessels
Broken Capillaries
Burning or Stinging
Swelling
Eye Irritation
Dry Appearance
Skin Thickening
Plaques (overgrowths of skin)
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ROSACEA
There are four forms of rosacea, which are defined by the following range of symptoms:
Mild: Characterized by occasional or consistent facial flushing and redness. There may some swelling, burning and stinging, roughness, and visible red blood vessels as it progresses to the next level.
Moderate: Characterized by persistent mild symptoms, plus the appearance of pimple-like bumps. Unfortunately, many people mistake moderate Rosacea for acne, and do not treat their condition appropriately until more advanced levels of Rosacea.
Severe (Rhinophym): Characterized by moderate Rosacea symptoms, plus the thickening of the skin tissue and plaque formation in the nose thereby giving an enlarged appearance.
Ocular: Characterized by skin symptoms that also affect the eyes and eyelids. It may cause redness to the surrounding skin tissue but also burning or stinging, dryness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and watery, bloodshot eyes.
MANAGING ROSACEA TRIGGERS:
Should you decide to treat your Rosacea successfully, you must avoid or minimize the following factors: Weather
Protect skin from sun, wind, and excess temperatures (something we all experience living in Canada). We cannot emphasize how important using sunscreen daily is, even during winter! Throughout the winter months, cover your cheeks and face with a scarf. Wash the scarf/scarves regularly. If possible, replace the scarf every day or every other day to prevent breakouts. Food and Drink
Avoid eating/drinking hot soup and hot drinks, as well as spicy foods. Try to avoid or minimize your alcohol intake. These foods and drinks trigger rosacea as they increase blood flow and promote dilation of the blood vessels under the skin. This may sound like a daunting task initially, but keeping track of dietary triggers from the start of your treatment can help normalize your diet as you teach yourself new eating habits. Intense Exercise
This is not an excuse to skip physical activity! All we are saying is that when exercising, try to avoid over-heating. This may mean you go to the gym more often for shorter periods of time, or perhaps you change the time of day you exercise. Also, exercising near a fan when indoors is a good way to keep you cool during your workout. If you do feel that you overheated, take a cool shower to minimize symptom flare-up. Stress
This one is a bit more difficult to manage for some people. Stress is part of life and learning stress management techniques will do more for your life than reduce Rosacea symptoms. When you’re feeling stress, try relaxation techniques such as deep-breathing exercises, meditation or visualization techniques, where you visualize your stress as an inanimate object of which you mentally “let go”. Additionally, if possible, try to add activities that will help you physically relieve stress, such as going for a massage, or doing yoga.
ROSACEA TREATMENT
At Dérmica, we treat Rosacea with laser treatments.
ALIVIA ME PHOTOFACIAL Description: Dérmica’s Alivia ME Treatment will diminish redness and dissolve broken capillaries on areas of the face and neckline.
Vascular lesions are due to conditions such as Rosacea, couperose skin, sensitized skin, or skin trauma. These types of conditions are characterized by frequent, consistent redness, and visible redness and broken capillaries. They are most commonly found in the facial and neck area. If left untreated these conditions can worsen, or mutate the skin’s texture.
We treat these conditions by emitting a light beam into the skin which is absorbed by different skin lesions. Through selective photothermolysis, the light pulse selectively destroys a specified target without damaging the surrounding tissue, causing the blood to coagulate and the vessel to break up into particles that are naturally filtered away through the body’s lymphatic system.
Alivia ME is performed using Sharplight’s Formax-VP System. This equipment delivers quick pulses of light into the skin, targeting only the selected area. The hand piece also features a contact cooling tip that cools the skin being treated, adding maximum comfort and protection. Time frame: 45 minutes Recommended sessions: 4-6 Downtime required: 24 hrs
Pre-treatment protocols:
Must not currently be on or have used Accutane or any other oral prescription acne medications in the past 12 months
If currently using any products containing AHA/BHA/Retin A/Vitamin A on the area being treated, you must discontinue usage 2 weeks prior to procedure
Must wait a minimum of 4 weeks (or up to 6 weeks for darker skin types) from last tanning (artificial or natural) session
If currently on any prescription medications, check with your physician regarding possible photosensitivity
Contraindications:
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Disorders stimulated by light
Cancer (remission under 2 years)
Epilepsy
Use of photosensitive medication and herbs
Active infection of Herpes Simplex in treatment area
Use of anticoagulants
Potential side effects
Discomfort
Fragile skin
Edema (swelling)
Erythema (redness)
Dérmica MedEsthetics Love, Peace, and Great Skin!
(780) 885-7108
dermica.ca
Data sources
WPR. Canada Population 2015. Retrieved from http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/canada-population/
RosaceaFacts. What is happening with my skin and what can I do about it? Retrieved from http://www.rosaceafacts.ca
Chatelaine. Rosacea. Retrieved from http://www.chatelaine.com/health/health-a-z/rosacea/
Canadian Dermatology Association. Rosacea. Retrieved from http://www.dermatology.ca/skin-hair-nails/skin/rosacea/#/
Located in Edmonton, Dérmica offers photofacial treatments tailored to treat major skin conditions and deliver maximum results. With just a quick pulse of light we can smooth skin, diminish brown spots, redness, and broken capillaries.
Our photofacials work by delivering quick pulses of light to the targeted area using the Sharplight Formax System. The system features a contact cooling tip that cools the skin being treated, adding maximum comfort and protection.
This equipment allows us to perform 3 types of photofacials:
ALISA will improve the texture and vibrancy of the skin by gently removing the surface layers.
ACLARA works to removes pigment spots and damage affecting your face, neck, chest, hands, and arms.
ALIVIA treats vascular lesions that are due to conditions such as Rosacea, couperose skin, or sensitized skin.
Best of all, there is no downtime required for these procedures. Most photofacials takes 15-30 minutes, after which you can continue your daily routine!
Submit your questions to our Skin Experts, we will gladly share our knowledge.
Ask Dérmica: Sun Spot Removal Edmonton
Dear Dérmica,
I have developed a few brown spots on my face over the summer and am wondering if there is anything you guys can do to remove them?
Thanks,
Lindsay
Dear Lindsay,
It sounds like you have some sun damage that has surfaced in the form of sun spots.
Sun spots usually appear in areas of high sun exposure such as the forehead, nose, cheeks, and decollate. They can also appear on the body, back of the hands, upper shoulders (especially on people who drive during times of the day when the sun is at its strongest), etc.
Sun spots are cells that were damaged by UV exposure. Typically this damage has been caused before the age of 18 and surfaces later on in life and become darkened with repeated or excessive sun exposure.
If your brown spots appeared over the summer, I can surmise that they are sun damaged cells that have surfaced in the form of sun spots with the recent sun exposure you experienced this summer.
In regards to your question on the removal of your brown spots, yes, we can most definitely remove your spots.
We will shed some light on repair and maintenance.
REPAIR
Dérmica’s IPL Photofacials are safe, non-invasive Advanced Skincare procedures that deliver immediate results. We offer different types of photofacials for different skin concerns, and in dealing with your specific concern, we would recommend Dérmica’s ACLARA ME photofacial .
Aclara ME works to removes pigment spots (brown spots/sun spots/ age spots) and damage affecting your face, neck, chest, hands, and arms.
Throughout the procedure, we deliver quick pulses of light to the targeted area penetrating between 535-580nm into your skin. This process breaks up the spot, which then brings the pigment to the surface and sheds the spot with your skins natural processes.
We perform all of our laser procedures using Sharplight’s Formax-VP System. The system features a number of safety-control attributes including a contact cooling tip that cools the skin being treated, adding maximum comfort and protection.
Best of all, there is no downtime required for this procedure. An ACLARA ME photofacial takes 15-30 minutes, after which you can continue your daily routine!
MAINTENANCE
As we mentioned earlier, most damage has been caused before the age of 18 and surfaces later on in life and becomes darkened with repeated or excessive sun exposure.
Having said this, we recommend reading our
Anti Aging tips
and of course, always use sun block, sun block, sun block!!! Sun block is vital, even in the winter months.
Thanks Lindsay for your question, we hope we were able to help.
ALISA is Dérmica’s very own Skin Resurfacing/ Skin Rejuvenation/ Skin Tightening laser treatment in Edmonton.
Skin Resurfacing Edmonton, ALISA – FAQs
How does the ALISA ME Rx work?
ALISA is a Skin Rejuvenation or Skin Resurfacing treatment. In other words, it reverses the signs of aging through the non-traumatic removal of skin surface layers that induce neocollagenesis (the production of new collagen).
Following the removal of surface skin layers though selective photothermolysis, the body’s natural wound-healing response begins to regenerate the epidermis and the underlying wounded skin layers, which gives an overall glow and youthful look to the skin, but more specifically, treats fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes large pores.
What is Selective Photothermolysis?
Selective Photothermolysis is a method that destroys a specified target without damaging the surrounding tissue. The method consists of irradiating the target with pulsed visible radiation. As a result, the targeted area is heated above body temperature which causes the proteins to coagulate. Because the target absorbs the radiation much more strongly than the surrounding tissue, this surrounding tissue is almost not heated at all.
Is the ALISA ME Rx safe at 65 years old?
Absolutely! There are no contraindications based on age since light-based treatments are safe and non-invasive.
How many treatments are required?
Your skin needs the time needed to recover and produce new collagen. Therefore, the typical regimen is an average of 5 treatment sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart. However, the number of treatments is completely up to you depending on the results you desire. Having said that, we do not recommend over 12 treatments in one year.
How long is the recovery phase? Is there any downtime?
ALISA does NOT require any downtime whatsoever! You can come in during your lunch hour and return to work and no one will ever know why you look better than you did in the morning! ;)
How long does a treatment take?
This depends on the different treatments you would like during your session, however, a full ALISA photofacial takes 15-30 minutes, after which you can continue your daily routine.
Are photofacials safe?
Our Skin Experts are knowledgeable on our technology and on the biology of the skin. Our team is lead by experts in the field with over 15 years of experience in medical esthetics treatments. This increases the safety of all of our treatments. Our treatments are non-invasive and safe, with minimum side effects if any at all. Side effects could possibly include:
Discomfort (stinging sensation up to one hour after treatment)
Change of pigmentation (most cases occur on people with darker skin and can be avoided by conducting a test patch)
Fragile Skin (skin may become temporarily fragile)
Purpura (purple bruising lasting from 5-15 days)
Scarring (may happen on darker skin but still, very rare)
Questions or concerns? We’d be happy to hear from you!
Dérmica MedEsthetics (780) 885-7108 dermica.ca Love, Peace, and Great Skin!
FAQs on our Dark Spot Corrector Tx in Edmonton, ACLARA
TECHNOLOGY
How does this dark spot corrector treatment get rid of pigmented lesions?
Targeted areas absorb the pulse light, breaking the pigmented lesion into tiny particles. These particles rise to the surface of the skin as scabs that naturally slough off with exfoliation within 1-2 weeks.
What is IPL-DPC?
IPL-DPC stands for Intense Pulse Light- Dynamic Pulse Control. Phototherapy treatments emit a light beam into the skin that is absorbed by different skin lesions.
Through selective photothermolysis, the light pulse destroys a specified target without damaging the surrounding tissue. Through DPC technology we can determine the “aggressiveness” of the treatment based on the duration of the pulse.
Shorter pulses are more aggressive, delivering the light beam in a shorter period of time. Longer pulses are less aggressive as they have a longer period to deliver the light beam.
The different range of pulse durations results in a major increase in the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
Is ACLARA safe?
Our Skin Experts are knowledgeable on our chosen technology and the biology of the skin. As a result, this increases the safety of all of our treatments. Above all, our treatments are non-invasive with minimum side effects if any at all. Side effects could possibly include:
Discomfort (stinging sensation up to one hour after treatment)
Change of Pigmentation (most cases occur on people with darker skin and can be avoided by conducting a test patch
Fragile Skin (skin may become temporarily fragile)
Purpura (purple bruising lasting from 5-15 days)
Scarring (may happen on darker skin but still, very rare)
TREATMENT
How many ACLARA treatments are required?
The typical regimen is an average of 6-8 treatment sessions, spaced 3-4 weeks apart. However, the number of treatments is completely up to you depending on the results you desire.
How long is the recovery phase? Is there any downtime?
ACLARA does NOT require any downtime whatsoever! You can come in during your lunch hour and return to work and no one will ever know why you look better than you did in the morning! ;)
How long does a treatment take?
This depends on the different treatments you would like during your session, however, a full face ACLARA photofacial takes 30-45 minutes, after which you can continue your daily routine.
Are photofacials painful?
No, during the procedure, a slight, momentary stinging sensation may be felt, comparable to the snapping of a small elastic band, but not pain.
Dérmica MedEsthetics (780) 885 7108 Love, Peace, and Great Skin!
Are you in search for a solution to clear pigmented lesions, sun spots, pigment scarring, or dark spots? Stop wasting your time and money on costly lotions and potions that promise results! Let phototherapy be the answer to your skin concern. The ACLARA photofacial will lighten and clear dark to light pigmented lesions.
How does ACLARA work?
ACLARA works by delivering quick pulses of UV light to the targeted area. Subsequently, the spot breaks up and the pigment is brought to the surface. The pigment is shed with your skin’s natural processes. As a result, a clear and uniform complexion is revealed.
Is phototherapy safe?
We use Sharplight’s Formax-VP System. Their DPC technology makes your treatments safe and effective in less time. The Sharplight system is equipped with many safety features. For instance, the hand piece features a contact cooling tip that cools the skin being treated, adding maximum comfort and protection. Above all, you can rest assured that your treatment is performed by a qualified technician with your comfort in mind.
PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA BEFORE BOOKING ONLINE.
Pre-treatment protocols:
Must not currently be on or have used Accutane or any other oral prescription acne medications in the past 12 months
If currently using any products containing AHA/BHA/Retin A/Vitamin A on the area being treated, you must discontinue usage 2 weeks prior to procedure
Must wait a minimum of 4 weeks (or up to 6 weeks for darker skin types) from last tanning (artificial or natural) session
If currently on any prescription medications, check with your physician regarding possible photosensitivity
Time frame: 45 minutes
Recommended sessions: 4-6
Contraindications:
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Disorders stimulated by light
Cancer (remission under 2 years)
Epilepsy
Use of photosensitive medication and herbs
Active infection of Herpes Simplex in treatment area
Use of anticoagulants
Potential side effects:
Discomfort
Fragile skin
Edema (swelling)
Erythema (redness)
Downtime required: 24 hrs
Not sure if this is the right treatment for you?
Try our Treatment Selection Guide. It is easy to use and designed to help you select the best option for your skin goals. In addition, you can email questions to bookings@dermica.ca. For specific concerns, we recommend attaching pictures to provide a visual aide. As a result, our professionals will be better able to determine a treatment for you.
